I need some solid advice on a laptop carrying case

[IBMorBust]

Hey all. I'm really loving my new T42 and have everything pretty much configured everything the way I like it.

Now I need to find that special case that suits of all my needs. Here are my criteria, in no particular order of priority:

1) Must provide protection from the bumps, tussles, and scrapes of life on the road.

2) Must securely hold my Thinkpad in one place, and not allow it to be thrown about inside the case/bag.

3) Must allow for the comfortable storage of not only my Thinkpad, but accessories, legal pads, pens, a PDA, etc.

4) Must be made of quality materials, that will last.

5) Must not be overly bulky. The slimmer (while accomodating number 2 above, the better).

6) Must be "business professional" looking (i.e. I can't totoe around something splashed with neon colors, stripes or polka dots. Black is best).

7) Must cost less than $100 (unless it's utopian, in which case, I'd go to $150 ).


Any advice you can offer up would be most appreciated.

[Leon]

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=2356

And many more. The search function is your friend!

(a slightly belated) Welcome to our Forum!

[Marc_G]

www.brenthaven.com

Best bags ever made, at least from my road warrior perspective.

[IBMorBust]

Thanks Leon.

Marc - Yes. I love the Brenthavens. That is one of my favorites so far. The toploader, I think.

[lfeagan]

Check the T42 FAQ for a listing and links to many websites. Bottom of page 3 and top of page 4.

[fschwep]

Just my two cents... To begin with, unlike many people on this forum I don't live in the US and so most case brands mentioned here are not available to me.
I protect my T42 in a cheap and basic sleeve from Lowe Pro (the backpack makers), and this goes into a sloppy-looking old Tenba Traveler shoulder bag. Tenbas are quite indestructible and most are straight profesional photo bags, but ehey also make some laptop cases now and, of course, the general use bags like the Traveler. I took out its camera/lenses insert, put in a patch of closed-cell hardfoam to add some protection to its bottom, and slide the whole Lowe case with the T42 straight in. The sleeve holds the laptop, and has two zippered front pockets for the power adapter, cord, a mini mouse and a phone cord. I can carry it separately on its slim shoulder strap if I need to. The Tenba then still takes a load of other stuff: a Psion PDA in a hard case, some magazines, a scifi pocket book to read while waiting at the airport, a handheld GPS, a ton of pens, a paper notebook, sunglasses, keys, airplane ticket (it has a special pocket for that but the zipper died after ages of use), extra AA batteries for the Psion, a toothbrush and a change of underwear... and if you want to go light and thin, it has a big zipper that draws it tight into about half its bulk. It does not look like a laptop case on the outside which makes it less attractive to thieves (not to mention it makes me less attractive for bashing my head in to get to the laptop). But it does look serious (grey ballistic nylon with some leather details). These days Tenba also sell sleeve inserts for laptops, I got mine long before that (early '90s I think) but that model still exists, which says a lot.