Thinkpads Forum

Im looking for a messnger laptop bag that is all black. just like my tp. It needs to hold a 15 inch laptop, battery, keyboard, a couple textbooks and notebooks and two thermos any suggestions? anyone have a similar situation? And are sleeves useful? or do you end up leaving it at home?

Targus has an extensive line of cases:
http://www.targus.com/us/cases_notebook_backpacks.asp

maybe samsonite, something sllek with natural material. I am looking for a leather messnger bag that is large enough to hold a laptop adapter, top loading with a flap, 2 thermos and 3 books.

do you know of luggage stores where i can bring my laptop to test it out?

I know they're not leather, but the APC branded bags are REALLY good. I have had mine for a couple years now, and I've traveled the world with it.. Still looks new, has lots of pockets, protects the notebook well, and the shoulder strap has sections that are bungee-ish, so the whole thing is much easier to carry.
Can you tell that I'm a fan?

http://www.apcc.com/products/category.cfm?id=5&subid=66

Again, not leather (at least not the one I got), but the same people who make the Swiss Army knives (Victorinox?) also make a line of very attractive, durable, and versatile backpacks that are designed to fit a variety of laptops, ThinkPads included.

I got mine for a little over $40 from Sam's Club. Best backpack I ever owned, hands-down. One of its nicer features is the specialized pouch and cabling for a portable MP3 player, with a headphone jack in a small bustle on the shoulder strap. Very handy!

Happy traveling.

How much are ypu looking to spend? If you don't mind ~$100, do have a look at brenthaven cases. They are excellent for the price.

^ Concur, considered by some the Rolls Royce of laptop bags.

Time and again, I've read articles that caution business people from keeping their lappies in what is clearly a "laptop bag." Makes for a highly appealing target for opportunistic thieves. I agree. I have an overnight bag from Patagonia which holds laptop, Wacom tablet, AC adapter, and other digital doodads. I also have a Patagucci "vertical mass messenger bag" which just fits my T43, and holds it flat in a flat computer sleep compartment. It has an outside pocket which holds my Targus Coolpad Traveler and Kensington lock. And DOES NOT look like a "computer bag."

Here's a pic of mine.

http://www.rockclimbing.com/images/gear ... _3451L.jpg
http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0 ... g/pb-1.jpg

Smaller than what you're looking for, but I have used mine happily for several years.

This guy's got some good pics showing you the innards. The computer sleep compartment has an adustable strap 'n buckle that holds the TP in there pretty snug.


mod edit: embedded pics linked per the forum rules.

fr0zenmon wrote:Im looking for a messenger laptop bag that is all black. just like my tp. It needs to hold a 15 inch laptop, battery, keyboard, a couple textbooks and notebooks and two thermos any suggestions? anyone have a similar situation? And are sleeves useful? or do you end up leaving it at home?

I have a bag from Case Logic that works well. It was almost 5 pounds lighter than the leather case I had.

I got the smallest/lightest one, so I don't think it would hold everything you list. Case Logic has a very wide range of cases, so I suggest you check their Web site, as well as the other suggestions folks have made.

I agree with many that carrying an obvious laptop case is inviting theft. I usually carry my X-series TP around in a Crumpler protective sleeve, which in turn in slipped into an old sloppy Tenba Traveler shoulder bag, or in a small non-laptop type backpack (from Aigle). The Crumpler sleeve has no extra pockets or anything, it just protects the laptop against bumps and scratches. I put a layer of hardfoam in the bottom of the Tenba as additional shock protection when I put it down. Works well for me.

The Maxpedition Tactical Attache' carries my T60 widescreen.

I'd recommend a "backpack" style of laptop bag as it doesn't show to everyone that you have a laptop. The Logitech Kinetic backpack seems pretty good, either that or get a targus one.

Check out the Timbuk2 line of bags. If you have an REI store nearby you can see some of them on the shelf, else check out www.timbuk2.com

www.booq.com. Period.

I recently got a backpack for my T61 from Tom Bihn (http://www.tombihn.com/). The laptop itself goes inside a hard-sided sleeve which clips to the inside of the backpack compartment to help avoid fall damage.

Haven't done much traveling with it yet but the quality/materials seems quite good, even if it's a bit on the pricey side. They've got messenger bags, etc. as well.

I've seen people speak highly of Spire (http://www.spireusa.com/) also.