Posts Tagged laptop bag
Value-Priced Case: Microsoft Laptop Messenger Bag
I’ve tried lots of different bags for my laptops, netbook and other electronic travel gear. And while there are certainly better cases out there, one I’ve run across offers a lot of value for a small price.
The Microsoft Laptop Messenger Bag—Impact is built for bigger laptops with up to 17″ screens. It fits my Dell 17″ laptop well, but can also be adjusted for smaller computers. A padded compartment adds protection and a separate, adjustable divider provides additional space for carrying a power supply and accessories.
A foldover flap with a buckle has two handy, zippered pockets. There are more pockets underneath the flap for smaller items such as CDs or DVDs, pens, a cell phone, business cards and more.
Another zippered pocket is located on the back of the case.
The carrying strap and handle are sturdy. And there’s a zippered pocket on the side that will carry a water bottle. The case is made with 1680D poly and accents are made of rubberized vinyl.
This case is not checkpoint-friendly. Any computer will have to be removed when going through airport security.
As I mentioned, the price is a big attraction for the Microsoft Laptop Messenger Bag—Impact. It’s currently available from Amazon for $29.99. At times, I’ve seen it online for less than $20.
I don’t carry my larger laptop on a lot of trips, but there are times when it’s needed. The Impact bag offers good protection and other features for a price that’s hard to beat.
Posted by JohnG in Business Gear, General Gear on November 15th, 2010
Vanguard UP-Rise 33 Bag Expands, Protects Gear
Finding a bag that will carry a laptop, digital SLR camera and other travel gear—and fit under an airline seat as a bonus—is no easy feat. So kudos to Vanguard for its latest series of travel cases, the UP-Rise.
I first saw this new series of cases, before the official release, at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. So I picked the UP-Rise 33 to see how it would handle the gear on my must-carry list.
The reason it’s called the UP-Rise is this messenger-style case can be expanded with one tug of a zipper, similar to larger expandable suitcases.
On most trips, I’m schlepping a 12″ laptop, my trusty DSLR with a flash and extra lens, and other assorted goodies like an MP3 player and earbuds, GPS, power adapters and cables in one bag. And that bag needs to fit under the seat on any plane that American Airlines flies, since I’m also toting a carry-on bag and checking two larger bags.
The UP-Rise 33 handles that job well, with a separate, padded section for the computer and other compartments that can be customized for just about any gear. Several pockets on the front of the bag can hold travel documents, memory cards, lens caps and other smaller items.
A top zipper allows easy access to a camera and the front of the bag also unfolds easily. And since the sun doesn’t always shine when you’re on the road, a rain cover is included.
The bag will easily slip over luggage trolleys if you’re also carrying a roller suitcase, or carry it with the top handle or shoulder strap that’s included. There are even protective tabs on the shoulder strap hooks to keep your gear from being scratched when putting it into the bag or retrieving it.
The UP-Rise 33 is very thoughtfully designed and looks sharp, with a bright orange interior to make it easier to find your gear.
And the price is reasonable for a bag this well-built—it retails for $159.99 and is currently available at Amazon for $129.95.
Vanguard also makes two other sizes in this series—the UP-Rise 28 is designed for netbooks, while the UP-Rise 38 will handle laptops with up to 15″ screens.
I really didn’t find anything not to like about Vanguard’s UP-Rise 33. It’s a well-made bag that should hold up for years and many miles on the road.
Posted by JohnG in Business Gear, General Gear on July 13th, 2010
Stop Thieves with the CentroSafe Laptop Case
Few things would spoil a trip more than having your laptop and other gear stolen. Pacsafe’s CentroSafe Laptop Briefcase aims to prevent that.
For more than a decade, the company has been making anti-theft bags designed to keep you and your gear from being separated. The CentroSafe fits my 15.4″ laptop perfectly with a padded compartment. At first glance, it doesn’t look much different from other messenger-style bags. But take a closer look and you’ll find four anti-theft features.
The first is a snatchproof shoulder strap with a built-in combination lock. The strap can be used to lock the bag to a pole or any other kind of secure fixture at an airport, hotel, or wherever you travel.
The shoulder strap itself is slashproof to thwart cut-and-run thieves. The zippers are lockable and tamperproof, secured by a steel cable that attaches to the combination lock on the strap. Anchoring the bag is quick and easy.
One thing you won’t actually see is the eXomesh Slashguard inside the lower front and bottom panels. The eXomesh is a high-tensile, stainless steel webbing to further protect your gear.
This bag is extremely well-organized. While the laptop is snug in its own compartment, there’s a roomy, separate area with a divider and plenty of pockets for cables, batteries, GPS, MP3 player and other travel essentials. There’s also space for travel documents, work papers and pens, and a built-in key clip.
And a rear sleeve fits over luggage handles to carry the CentroSafe on a rolling bag.
The Pacsafe CentroSafe Laptop Briefcase retails for $159.99 from the company’s online store and is also available from Amazon.
This bag has all the features of the best messenger bags—and more, with the anti-theft features. And with your valuables protected, the CentroSafe can give you some extra peace of mind on the road.
Posted by JohnG in Business Gear, General Gear on July 6th, 2010
Checkpoint-Friendly: Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer
I’m all in favor of anything that gets me through airport checkpoints easier and faster. So after looking through the field of checkpoint-friendly laptop bags, I was eager to try out Tom Bihn’s new Checkpoint Flyer. And soon I was flying through security.
With the Checkpoint Flyer, I don’t have to take my laptop out of the case as it goes through x-ray screening. And since I carry a laptop on almost every trip, that makes a big difference.
Look, I’m already fumbling around enough getting out my boarding pass and ID, taking off my shoes and jacket, emptying my pockets, stowing the cell phone and taking out the liquids. Besides saving time, this bag gives an extra measure of protection to my laptop. That’s important, since I had a hard drive that never worked again after a rough ride through the x-ray machine.
Tom Bihn came up with an ingenious design for the Checkpoint Flyer. The laptop, by itself, slides into a foam-padded, weather-resistant case. For normal carrying, the case fits between a front flap with two pockets and a separate, zippered compartment that includes plenty of room and pockets for carrying and organizing cables, chargers, music players, sunglasses and other things I like to keep handy on a flight.
The magic happens when two straps are unbuckled—it only takes a few seconds. Then the laptop case can lie flat on the x-ray belt and go through alongside the rest of the bag. See how it works with Tom Bihn’s animated pictures here.
The laptop sleeve meets TSA requirements because it gives the x-ray screener an unobstructed view. Just remember to put cords and everything else in the other part of the bag. Only the laptop goes in the padded case.
Four different sizes are available to fit popular models of laptops. You can even buy the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Case separately if you carry different computers. Any size of the laptop case will clip to the rest of the bag.
The bag fits easily under the seat on the plane, so it can be carried on as a personal item in addition to a larger bag for the overhead bin.
The Checkpoint Flyer looks great, too. It’s available in four colors and sells for $220. There are cheaper checkpoint-friendly bags on the market. But Tom Bihn has a reputation for quality and the bags are meticulously made in Seattle. Consider it an investment that will last a long time.
Some optional accessories I’d recommend include the Absolute Shoulder Strap ($30)—easy on the shoulder, with just the right amount of “give” for comfortable carrying. The strap has an internal control-stretch system which Tom Bihn has patented.
If you’re carrying lots of papers, pens and other accessories, the Horizontal Freudian Slip ($35) will keep things organized.
I’ve carried Tom Bihn’s Checkpoint Flyer all over the country recently and it sailed through the x-ray machine every time. In Nashville, I even felt a twinge of sympathy for a guy in the next lane who was fumbling around with wire spaghetti as he removed his laptop from the case. He needed one of these.
See all our Tom Bihn gear reviews
Posted by JohnG in Travel Light on December 14th, 2009
