Preparation for iPad: Any good carrying case?

[maflynn]

Ok, so the majority of those bags do like man-purses. I'm not about to wear a skirt and walk around in public with a man-purse.

I'll wait a little longer to see how the market fleshes out but I'm not about to trade in my masculinity for an apple product

 

[4DThinker]

Some (OK several) company will make every flavor of case for the iPad. There will be slip-covers with stands built-in. There will be briefcases with an iPad pocket in them. We'll see special purses, backpacks, jackets, and painter's pants with iPad pockets.

The hard question won't be "Where to buy an iPad case?", but rather how you want to look carrying your iPad. It'll be a fashion statement because it's size is unavoidable.

Me? Not getting one. If I had one I'd go naked. Let it get a little scratched and dented. Maybe paint it a little then sand it off to give the case a patina. Maybe weld a Stanley handle to it.

 

[powerbooks]

I have two sleeves for my MBA, and I can tell you that any MBA case will not be the best fit for iPad. They are just simply too long for the Pad. Even the tightest Incase Neoprene Sleeve is too big for that.

Since my MBA fits nicely into my Jack Spade messenger bag, I know that the iPad will, too. I also have other bags which will work nicely for the iPad so am not figuring on buying a special bag for it the way I have for my various MBPs and the MBA.....

 

[speed12]

Lacie have just launched their Coat and ForMoa ranges which look nice. The 10.2" 'Netbook' model is the one that is supposed to be a very good fit for the iPad. Simple sleeve, but a nice addition of a small pocket in lid 'flap'. Good price as well.

http://www.lacie.com/uk/products/range.htm?id=10072

 

[anthonymoody]

The thing about bags (and trunks of cars) is that the bigger they are the more stuff you put into them, no matter how hard you try to bring only "what you really need."

I carry my 15" MBP in a Timbuk2 and messenger and a Crumpler messenger, alternating for different purposes (one is packed with travel stuff, the other with around town stuff). Both are HEAVY when fully loaded. 5.5 pounds for the laptop itself, plus several more ounces for the AC adapter. Say 2+ pounds for the bag and associated other crap and I'm hauling 8-9 pounds around on my shoulder all day.

I can't wait to retire my MBP for good and slim waaaay down.

I'm focused on the Tom Bihn Ristretto for iPad because it's just big enough for the iPad itself, and very minor amount of other stuff. All in, bag included, it should be under 3 pounds total. It may seem like "not that big a difference from 8 or 9 pounds, but practically speaking it definitely is.

The tradeoff is that in terms of scale it screams man purse, whether oriented vertically or horizontally. But that's something I'm willing to accept.

 

[VenusianSky]

HP actually has decent bags. I have one of these.

 

[yoppie]

I know they're being called "man bags" but I really like the Ristretto and Muzetto bags. I'm a girl and I would love to tote any one of the two.

 

[lordhamster]

The Muzetto is a little too "European" for my tastes. I really like the Tom Bihn even though the design is similar.

I really don't know how someone can reject Messenger and Sling bags saying they aren't cool, then in the same breath say they want a backpack.

1 Strap = uncool
2 Straps = cool?

 

[Clix Pix]

I have two sleeves for my MBA, and I can tell you that any MBA case will not be the best fit for iPad. They are just simply too long for the Pad. Even the tightest Incase Neoprene Sleeve is too big for that.

I agree, the sleeves I use with my MBA wouldn't work for the iPad. I'm probably going to buy the case Apple will be selling, or a special neoprene sleeve when someone like CaseLogic comes out with it, but the laptop bags that I've got for a 13" or 15" work just fine for carrying my MBA and eventually will do the same for the iPad. Actually, I hope someone does come out with a good simple neoprene sleeve, as that offers much more versatility: protection for the iPad in ANY tote or bag in which one wants to transport it!

Those Tom Bihn bags and the elegant Ristretto are really, really, nice and I might be tempted...... I also like the looks and colors of that HP bag above.

 

[roland.g]

One of the best solutions may be the Apple case that doubles as a stand that you can then put in a larger bag. I think the stand feature will be quite crucial and I can see that throwing that case in a messenger bag or backpack with a few other things will be a really good way to go.

 

[Clix Pix]

Good point about the stand being a critical feature, especially if one is taking the iPad on a trip or in-and-out of various situations where at times it would necessary to stand it up. I really like that Apple case -- clearly a lot of thought went into its design.

 

[roland.g]

Good point about the stand being a critical feature, especially if one is taking the iPad on a trip or in-and-out of various situations where at times it would necessary to stand it up. I really like that Apple case -- clearly a lot of thought went into its design.

By only curiosity about it is that it appears great for landscape typing mode and landscape video mode, but will the short side fold flat against the back when you want to hold it like a pad and not a wedge, especially to do something in portrait or do you have to take it out in those circumstances.

 

[jazz1]

iPad Display Protection

I really want something that is going to keep the display from taking an in bag hit that would break the glass. Unlike laptops it would seem to me that the display needs some armor during transport.

 

[blancoBronco]

I'm just gonna throw it in my backpack

 

[Clix Pix]

The Patagonia Single Shot bag looks as though it could be really just the ticket for carrying an iPad....it is 11" x 8.5" x 3.5" and so there's room for a couple other items, too.


http://www.ebags.com/patagonia/single_shot/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=137756

 

[WytRaven]

By only curiosity about it is that it appears great for landscape typing mode and landscape video mode, but will the short side fold flat against the back when you want to hold it like a pad and not a wedge, especially to do something in portrait or do you have to take it out in those circumstances.

Yes.

Also on the Ristretto for iPad. Because it is not only for iPad but designed for netbook size devices in general I believe that there is enough "free" space in the tablet pocket to accommodate the iPad+Apple's case.

 

[UltiMac]

I'm thinking a 10" netbook sleeve would work pretty decent. I could be wrong though

 

[DaveSW]

Lacie have just launched their Coat and ForMoa ranges which look nice. The 10.2" 'Netbook' model is the one that is supposed to be a very good fit for the iPad. Simple sleeve, but a nice addition of a small pocket in lid 'flap'. Good price as well.

http://www.lacie.com/uk/products/range.htm?id=10072

wow the lacie looks nice.

 

[chibamac]

I currently use this "Maxpedition Jumbo" to transport my Asus EEE 10 inch. I think it will work perfectly with the iPad. The wife gives me crap about it calling it my Man-Purse.

I reviewed the bag here: http://tacticalgearhead.com/?p=575 in case you are interested.

Hey Lordhamster,

This case does look awesome but I checked the specs of the main compartment @ maxpedition.com and it says the dimensions are 9” x 8” x 3” where as the ipad's dimensions are- 9.56 inches by 7.47 inches by 0.5 inch. I'm not sure the iPad will fit perfectly, maybe tilted?? what do you think?

 

[WytRaven]

Side by Side Comparison Ristretto and Ristretto iPad

Hi all,

As promised here is a side by side comparison between the Original Ristretto and the new iPad/Netbook Ristretto from Tom Bihn.

There is one shot showing the contents of the old Ristretto and also a shot showing all but the ST5112 accessories (porta-stand and folded keyboard) repacked into the new one.

It's hard to explain but there has been a rethink of the design which means that the new Ristretto is actually able to accommodate more in the way of non-flat items. It can expand forward much more than the previous model. This could spell good news for those that intend on carrying a dock around with them. To illustrate the point it should be obvious from the photos that, despite the smaller size, my sandwich container actually fits better in the new model.

Overall impression? Very impressed. Same outstanding quality with some intelligent design tweaks. Tom has done a great job.

I originally ordered the Black and Steel version but was contacted quickly and asked if I would mind a different colour scheme as they had already sold out and would take some time to make more. I chose the Cocoa and Olive version instead which I almost chose initially. Tom Bihn threw in an extra large pencil case attachment because I was "so understanding". (it can be seen in the top down packed view sitting across the top of the centre pocket)

Anyway I hope this helps people make an informed choice when shopping for an iPad transporter

 

[zemzabob]

Hey Lordhamster,

This case does look awesome but I checked the specs of the main compartment @ maxpedition.com and it says the dimensions are 9” x 8” x 3” where as the ipad's dimensions are- 9.56 inches by 7.47 inches by 0.5 inch. I'm not sure the iPad will fit perfectly, maybe tilted?? what do you think?

I seen that to, I really want one of these bags if it fits the ipad, he said he is using it for a ten inch netbook. Hey Lordhamster do you have any pics of this bag with the netbook in it for reference?

 

[epoche]

Will iPad fit?

Checked dimensions of his net book he carries= 10.5 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches

Would imagine that iPad would fit, but good to hear from Lordhamster re iPad fit.

Hey Lordhamster,

This case does look awesome but I checked the specs of the main compartment @ maxpedition.com and it says the dimensions are 9” x 8” x 3” where as the ipad's dimensions are- 9.56 inches by 7.47 inches by 0.5 inch. I'm not sure the iPad will fit perfectly, maybe tilted?? what do you think?

 

[SteveSparks]

I am going to wait and get one of th 500 new cases that will obviously come out when the ipad ships

 

[jazz1]

The pics of the Ristretto are really helpful. I want one of these. Are you concerned at all about the gaps on either side of the flap. Will they disappear when the bag has an iPad inserted?

Hi all,

As promised here is a side by side comparison between the Original Ristretto and the new iPad/Netbook Ristretto from Tom Bihn.

snip

 

[WytRaven]

The pics of the Ristretto are really helpful. I want one of these. Are you concerned at all about the gaps on either side of the flap. Will they disappear when the bag has an iPad inserted?

Are you referring to issues with weather or something like that? The main bag flap covers all quite nicely. As for the iPad compartment's padded flap...well it sort of tucks down behind it.