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What would you want in a laptop bag?

Y

yaroldb

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 21, 2007
285
0
I’ve had my Macbook for almost a year now. I have gone through a few different bags and have had mixed results. I’ve search and search and can not seem to find something that fits my needs. I carry my Macbook (13.3), the power adapter, a wireless mighty mouse and my ipod. I sometime have the need to bring my Wacom Tablet with me (6x8). I am currently using the STM small alley bag It fits everything in it, but not as neat as I would like. I also use a Moshi Codex. Very nice and sleek but fitrs the Macbook and makes it to big for most of my bags.

So, the next logical step… Create and market my own bag for Macbook/Macbook pro users.:D
What would you like in a bag?
What do you carry with you?
How important is style vs size?
What material would you like to see in a bag?
How much are you willing to spend for a great bag?

Thanks for the help guys.
 
emw

emw

macrumors G4
Aug 2, 2004
11,172
0
I'm a little strange, perhaps, but I like a bag that's a backpack verses a one-strap pack. This is mainly because I travel a lot and the backpack is easier to move around with when carrying (or pulling) an additional bag.

I also like little compartments for accessories - you know, network cables for when there's no wireless at an office, VGA adapter, DVDs, iPod, noise-reduction headphones, spare batteries, phone chargers, etc.

I'm not opposed to having a fairly large but well-organized bag to hold everything. Style, to me, is secondary to functionality when it comes to this.

I also prefer something other than leather, since leather doesn't tend to wear well over time with a bag that travels in all sorts of weather.

The bag should also have padding built in so I don't need to have a separate sleeve for the laptop.
 
9

925AS

macrumors member
Apr 18, 2006
95
0
CALIFORNIA
I have a TUMI bag and it works great. It has different compartments and includes little pouches that I store all my cables adn accessories. The only thing it doesnt have is a place for my ipod but I can live without that.
 
X

Xyl

macrumors regular
Dec 30, 2006
181
0
Not a Macbook/Pro user...but I think the average user with a laptop (like me), needs this:

What would you like in a bag? 2 compartments, one for the laptop and one for everything else (Ok, maybe a few general purpose ones of different sizes, but it's not necessary to have specific compartments for specific things).

What do you carry with you? Laptop and everything else (power adapters, ethernet cables, other cables, stationary).

How important is style vs size? It just needs to fit everything and doesn't look extremely ugly.

What material would you like to see in a bag? Any, as long as my laptop doesn't fall through a hole in the bag.

How much are you willing to spend for a great bag? As cheap as possible.

:D
 
M

MichaelThomas

macrumors member
Feb 3, 2007
98
0
I just got the Incase rip-stop bag over the weekend, and my god is this thing absoloutley amazing! It has sooo much stuff in it and nots even that big! yet some how I can carry more in this bag than I previously could in a bigger bag that I had. Everythings so organised. My books font get thrown around anymore and constantly sit up straight and firm. It even has a section dedicated for your iPod with is lined with fur so it doesnt scratch. The thing even stands up straight on its own with or without the laptop in it!
 
O

operator

macrumors regular
Oct 29, 2006
110
0
Canada
I also prefer backpacks. The best example of a laptop backpack I can find on the internet is the Brenthaven Duo 15. I like it's plain appearance (I don't want to draw attention to myself when travelling in poor countries, or anywhere now that I think of it), and it's rugged materials. It also seems to have plenty of space to carry all the extras. These are the extras I need to carry:

- laptop power cable/charger
- ipod
- small external harddrive
- thumbdrive
- camera / charger / batteries
- mouse
- misc cables
- power adapter for foreign outlets
- paper notebook / pens
- glasses

If I can also squeeze in a fresh change of clothes, and basic toiletries, that would be even better.

That is what I am looking for in a laptop backpack - hope it helps.

I'd love to hear any reviews on the Brenthaven bag and/or suggestions for other good backpacks that suit my needs.
 
Cybix

Cybix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 10, 2006
993
1
Western Australia
the new booq 'viper' (i think) is awesome looking. I have the dicota alusight (alu case) and love that, but it's a big heavy and looks like I'm carrying money, guns, etc.. haha
 
M

MaaseyRacer

macrumors regular
Oct 30, 2005
160
0
San Francisco, Ca.
The STM Alley is my favorite of the bags I have had. Then again I get a new one every couple of months. The brenthaven metro is ok, but there is minimal space for other stuff like documents.
I would like the see the utility of the STM alley, with the protection of the brenthaven metro. However, still maintaining a slim form factor.
 
mkrishnan

mkrishnan

Moderator emeritus
Jan 9, 2004
29,776
15
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
What would you like in a bag?

To me, honestly, I want basic functionality and good durability mixed with predominantly style.

What do you carry with you?

Laptop, power adapter, 1-2x small notebooks / letter-size file folders / patient charts, cell phone, headset, iPod, USB flash drive, long wallet, change purse, sunglasses, lip balm, 2-3 pens, keys.

How important is style vs size?

I'm not sure how to interpret this. I think very few large bags are stylish. But overall, I think I'm 80% style, 20% functionality -- I'd rather have strong style and basic functionality than vice versa. And I want a small, light bag that fits just the things I listed above.

What material would you like to see in a bag?

Predominantly polished leather, preferably in colors. However I'm very open to the right fabrics too. I think Acme for instance uses some excellent fabrics. Some of the things that foofpod do are also nice, although leather has the advantage of matching many different things.

How much are you willing to spend for a great bag?

$250-300 for a great bag (I have what I consider to fall in that category and price range now), $400-500 for an extraordinary one.

Good luck! :)
 
beige matchbox

beige matchbox

macrumors 6502a
Mar 16, 2005
521
0
Oxfordshire, UK
i have a be.ez le bag, it's great :D

I can fit plenty of cables, PSU and a good couple of inches worth of papers. Or i can of course substitute the papers for a second laptop, and the best bit? It doesn't really look too much like a laptop bag :cool:
 
I

intelone

macrumors newbie
Feb 28, 2007
2
0
What would you like in a bag?
I'm a college student, and found that a backpack is easy on the back. I've tried those messenger bag types, but it hurts; so I switched back to my trusty regular jansport backpack I had since high school.

What do you carry with you?
MBP 15"
Power Adapter
Ipod Nano
TI-89
The most is two text books
Misc. cords and cables
Pencils, Pens, note flags, erasers
Water Bottle

How important is style vs size?
I want small and stylish. I've seen people roll their luggage around campus and I think to myself, "I can't do that!"


What material would you like to see in a bag?
Something like a military alice pack with padding. *cough *cough ex-Marine. Hmm maybe I should just pick up a pack from a surplus store or something.

How much are you willing to spend for a great bag?
$100+
 
B

Big Bad D

macrumors 6502a
Jan 3, 2007
535
573
France
I use a Brenthaven Pro 15/17 Backpack. It offers good protection but easy access for 17" MBP, plus plenty of space for laptop accessories, documents, iPod and a reasonable bit of personal gear. It's also comfortable to carry and is a good build quality.

I can't deny that it is extremely expensive. But having paid a lot for my MBP, I wasn't going to skimp on the best and most practical laptop bag I could find.
 
O

operator

macrumors regular
Oct 29, 2006
110
0
Canada
Big Bad D said:
I use a Brenthaven Pro 15/17 Backpack. It offers good protection but easy access for 17" MBP, plus plenty of space for laptop accessories, documents, iPod and a reasonable bit of personal gear. It's also comfortable to carry and is a good build quality.

I can't deny that it is extremely expensive. But having paid a lot for my MBP, I wasn't going to skimp on the best and most practical laptop bag I could find.
Click to expand...

Hi Big Bad D,
I agree about the price. I'm not worried about paying a hefty price for quality.

I know it's a long shot, but is there any chance you can post a pic(s) of your Brenthaven duo. I cannot tell the size from the pics on the net, and there are no stores where I live that carry this bag. Thanks!
 
B

Big Bad D

macrumors 6502a
Jan 3, 2007
535
573
France
Hello Operator, I'd be pleased to help advise, but my camera is unserviceable at present.

There are some pretty clear pictures on the Brenthaven website (http://www.brenthaven.com/catalog-apple-pro-15-17.html) showing this backpack, including a cross section view showing its size relative to a MBP and inside some of the stowage pockets. Also it quotes the dimensions - the internal dimensions are the size of the reinforced pocket for the laptop, which is the tallest pocket located next to your back (but well padded). It comes with an extra padding section to adapt for 15" laptops.

Let me know if there's any specific dimension you want measured.
D
 
pjarvi

pjarvi

macrumors 65816
Jan 11, 2006
1,289
190
Clovis, CA
What would you like in a bag?
Durable material (heavy duty nylon or leather). A backpack design (I'm currently using a MacPack from Mac-Case).

What do you carry with you?
BlackBook in a sleeve, AC adaptor, retractable network cable, iPod USB cable, iPod AC adaptor, iPod car power adaptor, iPod car audio cable, iPod Video, GameBoy Advance and 6-12 GBA games, USB mouse, and whatever documents I might need while travelling (maps, receipts for Hotel room bookings, etc...).

How important is style vs size?
Style is everything. I wouldn't want to buy something if it was pleasant to look at.

What material would you like to see in a bag?
Interior lining should be something that won't tear easily, and won't produce lint. I wouldn't want leather or any kind of natural skin material on the inside that could produce oils that could ruin or discolor the finish, either.

How much are you willing to spend for a great bag?
$79 for something basic up to $189 for something more akin to luggage.
 
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