HELP!!! 24" iMac & iLugger - Am I Doing Something Wrong?

[WentMacN90]

After much research, I decided to buy a 24" iMac rather than the MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. I needed a lot more memory but I didn't want to sacrifice portability. In my research, I came across the iLugger carrying case and felt that I could now have the best of two worlds. For me, at 25 pounds, taking that iMac on the plane was out of the question (the case adds another 5 pounds). Plus, I can barely get past the TSA checkpoint in a Victoria Secret Signature Cotton bra with its "barely-there-underwire". I just don't have the patience to convince the agent that it is really a computer in that bag, and that's not a "laptop" carrying case but a "desktop" case! Then struggling to get that heavy thing up into the overhead bin. Stressing out every time some idiot opens the compartment during travel, knocking my sensitive $2,500 machine around, looking for one of those useless teeny-tiny pillows. No, when I travel by plane, I will just take my files on one of my Mac laptops, like it's a big PDA. I invested in the iLugger for car travel and taking the computer in to the Apple store, should that ever be necessary. If I need all of my files during travel, I will just put it back in that super-sturdy original box and ship it ahead - insured - with my data in my purse on a backup drive.

OK, here is my problem. I just got the iLugger case today. (It had been on "extreme" backorder - all of about 2 weeks - not so "extreme to me.) I immediately shut down my Mac so that I could try out the new case. But getting that 24"-er inside is not as easy as the iLugger.com demonstration video portrays (http://www.ilugger.com/24-inch-imac-case.cfm). Maybe for the 17" or 20" like in the video, but the 24" is too heavy for that cavalier "gripping and slipping". But, if you take your time, it can be done. However, the base doesn't quite sit right inside the bag. There's a little pocket for the front of the base but the base keeps popping out of it, causing the whole bag to be out of shape, with the arm of the base banging against your hip. With the weight of the computer and the poor padding in the shoulder strap, it is unlikely that one would carry the bag by any other method than the handles, so the base will be lower, taking your knee out.

QUERY......Am I missing something in putting my iMac in the case? There was a white sticky plastic strip with two smaller black Velcro strips affixed to the inside of the iLugger. What is that for? Does it hold the base stable somehow inside the case? Preventing it from popping back and forth like that. There were no instructions in the box and the office is closed during the weekend. I've not heard one bad thing about the iLugger but most of the testimonials are about the smaller Macs. I've got to be doing something wrong. HELP!

 

[hydrokayak]

I'm looking at buying a 24 in iMac with the iLugger case.

Would you say you got your money's worth?

 

[WentMacN90]

24" iLugger

I'm looking at buying a 24 in iMac with the iLugger case.

Would you say you got your money's worth?

Yes!!! It took several weeks to get it because the 24"ers are on back order due to high demand. The only problem that I had is that there are no instructions included. The larger iMac does not slide into the case as easily as the much smaller one used in the video on the iLugger website. Be very, very careful when lifting your computer and turning it over in the case. If you don't have a good grip on it, you just might drop it. Due to the weight of the Mac and its unwieldy, top-heavy design, it does not just "slip and flip" as depicted in that video. Personally, I couldn't do it without help but I am an older woman who never lifts anything heavier than a 16 oz bottle of water!

FYI....Look out for a long white Velco strip with two smaller black strips attached to it which are supposed to help hold down a pad in the floor of the case. However, my strips were stuck on the inside wall of the case where I couldn't even see them. That caused the pad to be out of place when the bag is turned upside down. As a result (although I didn't know why at the time), my iMac didn't fit correctly when I finally got it in the bag. I had to call Customer Service to find out what the strip was for and why my computer wasn't fitting. At first I got a guy who was clueless! He wanted me to take pictures and email them in. I am not The One! I had waited several weeks just to get the case, which was shipped folded inside a box. I had to stuff two clean queen size bedsheets inside for 12 hours to get the case to resume its proper shape. I wasn't about to wait another second to use it! I insisted on speaking to his supervisor and was transferred to one of the "bigwigs" at iLugger who was very helpful. He even called the manufacturer to get more information to assist me. He gave me his personal extension to reach him if I had anymore problems. But once that lower pad was affixed correctly, I had no more problems with the computer fitting properly.

BUT......... that computer is really heavy. I cannot imagine walking around with that thing! However, I bought the case merely to protect the computer when traveling in a car and to avoid using the bulky box that it came in. With the case, the weight is at least 30 lbs. The shoulder strap, while durable, is not padded enough to handle that much weight on anyone's shoulder. It should be carried by the handles. And, the iLugger does have a third handle to help stabilize the case if you are able to carry it on your shoulder.

That said, I think it's a great item. It enables me to take my iMac with me in a car and have all of my files and applications rather than just a few on my 30GB iBook (which will be used for carrying small files and a select few programs). I can lift it myself to get it in the car and will use a luggage carrier to transport it from place to place.

I know that people talk about taking the computer on the plane, but I don't see that happening. It is just too big and too heavy to be carrying through an airport, much less lifting to an overhead bin without help. It won't fit under the seat in front of you. To me, there's not enough padding to trust a $2,500+ machine in an overhead bin when another traveler decides to go looking for a pillow or wants to throw his briefcase on top of your computer. If you get stranded in an airport, keeping up with that huge bag, plus your other carry-on items will be too much. You will never be able to get something to eat or go to the bathroom! It is safer and easier to put the iMac in the original box with all of the protective styrofoam, insure it, and ship it ahead, with your files backed up. (I just bought a 750GB external HD for that purpose.)

To sum it up, for just $149, I think that the case is a great buy and very innovative for a desktop computer. It takes up less than half the space of the original box which would be a good way to carry the iMac if it wasn't so bulky. Just understand that the iLugger does not turn a 22"Wx18"Hx2"D, 26 lb., top-heavy piece of machinery into a laptop computer.

This is all of the information that I would have liked to have before I finally purchased the case. I hope it helps you!

 

[hydrokayak]

That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I knew that the iMac 24" is not airport friendly, and that it was heavy. My only concern is whether or not the case is a good idea for traveling with the iMac -- in a car. I'm looking at using it at college -- and this bag would be worth the change to keep the computer save in transit.

Thanks again!!!

 

[Consultant]

iMacs travel in the car is fine. For traveling, carry an imac in the original box, which is very well protected.

Did you try contacting the iLugger support? Perhaps the bag was for the previous generation 24" white imac instead of alu imacs?

 

[WentMacN90]

24" iLugger

iMacs travel in the car is fine. For traveling, carry an imac in the original box, which is very well protected.

Did you try contacting the iLugger support? Perhaps the bag was for the previous generation 24" white imac instead of alu imacs?

The bag is custom made for the new aluminum iMac. As I stated above, I did end up contacting Customer Support and was helped immensely after requesting to speak to a supervisor. I received my case on a Friday morning but couldn't use it (reason stated above) until after the iLugger company had closed for the weekend. I panicked and posted my dilemma here but reached iLugger the following Monday, before anyone responded on MacRumors.

The problem was with the pad in the floor of the case which had come loose in transit. When I flipped the bag - no, let me change that - struggled to get that heavy thing turned over - the out-of-place pad caused the computer to not fit properly. iLugger needs to update that video on its website or provide 24" owners with appropriate instructions when shipped. You just get this huge bag, folded over out of shape, with no further info on it use versus the older, smaller models.

I'm glad that "hydrokayak" is keeping the right perspective for this item. If in college, he's younger than I am and can likely carry the computer much better than I can. But retraining its use for transport in a car is the correct way to get the max usage from the iLugger. The original box is still the optimum way to transport your computer. However the iLugger fits better on the floor of a car than that big old box does - the box is even heavier and more unwieldy than the iLugger.

Good luck, "hydrokayak", with your iLugger and your college career!

 

[hydrokayak]

I just got my iMac on Monday, and it traveled back home with me today (I have a three-day week). The box actually broke as I was going up the stairs in my house -- and the iMac fell... Luckily I caught it before it fell down the entire staircase.

I'm going to invest in the iLugger sometime soon. That box handle only lasted me ONE trip!!! Imagine the carnage if it fell down the stairs -- and the bix opened. I seriously would have cried... a lot.

Know where I can get the iLugger the cheapest? Probably the website, huh?