Laptop sleeve suggestions

T4x series specific matters only
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emorphien
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Laptop sleeve suggestions

#1 Post by emorphien » Mon May 16, 2005 4:03 pm

Now that I've got an order out for a 15" T43p, what sleeves do any of you recommend if you're using one? I've been looking around and checking reviews but any personal experiences would be great.

I'd like something black, that can handle relatively rough daily lugging, and that is $40 to $50 tops. Also not too bulky, I don't want to make the T suddenly 2.5" thick!

I've never used a sleeve before really but I'm considering one now.
X31, T43p (on sale soon I think :( ), T400

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#2 Post by UTCowMan » Mon May 16, 2005 4:06 pm

Goto www.sfbags.com

They have very fine quality bags that fit just right. Slightly customizable too. I just bought one myself after the praise my two roommates have given them. Very personal too. Gary signs every receipt himself (kinda weird...but kinda makes you fell all warm and fuzzy inside too).

LumberJack
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#3 Post by LumberJack » Mon May 16, 2005 4:37 pm

Hey...

I use a powersleve by Booq for my X31 and it works like a charm. They have 15 " versions aswell.

http://www.booqbags.com/index.html

Lates

LJ
X31, X200...

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#4 Post by stgreek » Mon May 16, 2005 5:00 pm

LumberJack wrote:Hey...

I use a powersleve by Booq for my X31 and it works like a charm. They have 15 " versions aswell.

http://www.booqbags.com/index.html

Lates

LJ
I got the 14" version, and highly recommend it.

Stavros

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#5 Post by asiafish » Mon May 16, 2005 5:39 pm

I'll second the SFBags recommendation. I bought one here from a forum member for my 14" T42p and liked it so much, I ordered another one from the company for my 12" PowerBook. I rarely bother to use a real case anymore as these are really nice and very well-made.
"An atheist is just somebody who feels about Yahweh the way any decent Christian feels about Thor or Baal or the golden calf. As has been said before, we are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further."

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#6 Post by Torque » Mon May 16, 2005 5:42 pm

Those Booq bags and cases look amazing :shock:
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#7 Post by admsteiner » Mon May 16, 2005 5:46 pm

Ditto on the sfbags.com bags (sorry if that sounds redundant).

Have one for my T42. Love it. it's comfortable to wear (I have the strap) and its light.

--adam
IBM ThinkPad T42 (2378-FVU), 14.1" SXGA, ATI 9600, 512MB, 40GB, DVD-ROM/CDRW, 6 cell and 9 cell battery, Waterfield bag (sfbags.com)

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#8 Post by asiafish » Mon May 16, 2005 5:48 pm

The SFBags will accomodate either the 6 or 9 cell, even with the flap like mine has. I had trouble finding other cases that will close around the ThinkPad when the 9 cell is attached and still fit snug when the 6 cell is attached. Excellent design.
"An atheist is just somebody who feels about Yahweh the way any decent Christian feels about Thor or Baal or the golden calf. As has been said before, we are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further."

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#9 Post by emorphien » Mon May 16, 2005 6:39 pm

asiafish wrote:The SFBags will accomodate either the 6 or 9 cell, even with the flap like mine has. I had trouble finding other cases that will close around the ThinkPad when the 9 cell is attached and still fit snug when the 6 cell is attached. Excellent design.
Excellent, all the better that it can accomodate both!

[censored] they're pricy! A Sleevecase with all the fixins is $96! Thanks for the suggestions though, I think I'll go with SFbags.
X31, T43p (on sale soon I think :( ), T400

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#10 Post by emorphien » Mon May 16, 2005 7:07 pm

One question though. How comfortable are they with the strap? I see they sell a strap pad accessory that might be nice if the stock strap isn't too comfortable. Any thoughts on this?

Also how useful is the piggyback? If it fits with the 9 cell, then there would be less of a reason to bring the power adapter with me, on the other hand it could come in handy. Getting all this is a $100 investment, I have to put some thought in to it!
X31, T43p (on sale soon I think :( ), T400

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#11 Post by mlykke » Mon May 16, 2005 7:21 pm

emorphien wrote:One question though. How comfortable are they with the strap? I see they sell a strap pad accessory that might be nice if the stock strap isn't too comfortable. Any thoughts on this?

Also how useful is the piggyback? If it fits with the 9 cell, then there would be less of a reason to bring the power adapter with me, on the other hand it could come in handy. Getting all this is a $100 investment, I have to put some thought in to it!
"And we interrupt this transmission with a word from our sponsor Nike"

"Just do it"

;)

asiafish
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#12 Post by asiafish » Mon May 16, 2005 7:28 pm

The standard (suspension) strap is terrific, far better than the strap on my Brenthaven bag. The piggyback is very convenient as well, though it makes opening and closing the flap a bit clumsy, I prefer it over an attached pocket as I can easily take it off for my daily commute (have a power adapter at work already), but when travelling it will hold the power adapter and an extra battery + misc. small items.

Overall its a very convenient bag. Best part is the strap and piggyback work on all of their bags, so I share them between my ThinkPad and PowerBook bags.
"An atheist is just somebody who feels about Yahweh the way any decent Christian feels about Thor or Baal or the golden calf. As has been said before, we are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further."

Richard Dawkins, 2002

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#13 Post by Plinkerton » Tue May 17, 2005 1:04 am

I use a Booq Powersleeve also, and it's great.

Just wanted to say...

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#14 Post by nsuperman86 » Tue May 17, 2005 1:35 am

Another Booq Powersleeve owner. Highly recommended. I have the one that fits the 14'' and it is pretty snug. I am a student and mine fits perfectly in my backpack...not only protecting it, but making it a lot less obvious that I am carrying around my precious laptop.

This thing is durable as heck, and I get lots of compliments. :D

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#15 Post by baraider » Tue May 17, 2005 1:57 am

[censored]..you guys make me wanna :D

already posted on FS/WTB forum but if anyone got any extra powersleeve 14, i can really use it.
Current: T60 2623-D6U, Ideapad S12 (upgraded to XP Pro)
Past: T42

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#16 Post by Plinkerton » Tue May 17, 2005 3:15 am

I've got an extra one. I have it up for sale HERE

:P

sorry... just being stupid...

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#17 Post by tom101 » Tue May 17, 2005 9:22 am

Some more here:

http://www.crumplerbags.com/cartIndex.php?catId=5

Don't be put off by the abysmal website, the bags are good.

I have this one

http://www.naquada.co.uk/archives/00025 ... _gimp.html

Although for some reason it doesn't seem to be available on the US site.

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#18 Post by emorphien » Tue May 17, 2005 9:30 am

Abysmal? Crumplers website is great! I've been meaning to get one of their camera bags for a couple years now.
X31, T43p (on sale soon I think :( ), T400

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#19 Post by jonnnny » Tue May 17, 2005 10:55 am

powersleeve 15 owner for my t41p 14''.... perfect fit... so snug and perfect. and the flap just holds the power adapter, couldn't really ask for more. the sleeve fits perfectly into my backpack. hardly ever use the strap but its comfortable. the vertical orientation allows easy removal from backpack without actually taking out the sleeve. good stuff highly recommended.
Jon

x41t : 1.5 : 1.5 : 40 : 12.1
t61p : 2.5 : 2.98 : 200 : 15.4

My favourite sites: Super blog! &
Best Photos of All-Time

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#20 Post by baraider » Tue May 17, 2005 11:48 am

jonnnny wrote:powersleeve 15 owner for my t41p 14''.... perfect fit... so snug and perfect. and the flap just holds the power adapter, couldn't really ask for more. the sleeve fits perfectly into my backpack. hardly ever use the strap but its comfortable. the vertical orientation allows easy removal from backpack without actually taking out the sleeve. good stuff highly recommended.
jon,

you meant you have the sleeve 15 for your 14" tp? I saw the powersleeve14 model and i thought that's the model for 14" tp....isn't your 15 model is for 15" tp?
Current: T60 2623-D6U, Ideapad S12 (upgraded to XP Pro)
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#21 Post by Plinkerton » Tue May 17, 2005 12:18 pm

Yeah, I have a 14 T42, and the 14 Powersleeve, and even the 14 for my 14 could stand to be a LITTLE bit tighter.

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#22 Post by jonnnny » Tue May 17, 2005 2:03 pm

oh yes sorry, i meant the powersleeve 14, i dont even think there's a powersleeve 15, my bad.

the extended battery fits snugly in the ps14
Jon

x41t : 1.5 : 1.5 : 40 : 12.1
t61p : 2.5 : 2.98 : 200 : 15.4

My favourite sites: Super blog! &
Best Photos of All-Time

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#23 Post by JHaislet » Tue May 17, 2005 2:46 pm

So just for clarification, will a T43 (14.1" SXGA) with the extended 9-cell battery, fit in the regular Booq Vyper #14 bag?

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#24 Post by emorphien » Tue May 17, 2005 2:52 pm

JHaislet wrote:So just for clarification, will a T43 (14.1" SXGA) with the extended 9-cell battery, fit in the regular Booq Vyper #14 bag?
I read some reviews that said those bags aren't all that great. They look pretty cool though, I wonder how thin they are. I'd kind of like to check one out but I'm not spending $50 to fing out if I like it!
X31, T43p (on sale soon I think :( ), T400

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#25 Post by JHaislet » Tue May 17, 2005 3:00 pm

The Vyper & Crumpler School Hymn (weird names IMHO) are at the top of my list for right now. I really like the sleek & bomb proof apearence they have.

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#26 Post by LumberJack » Tue May 17, 2005 5:54 pm

The booq series powersleves are very nicely padded. A full 0.25 inch all the wy around baby... and nice hig desnity stuff.. not some cheap filler. Again... this is one of those bags that you would rather drop your TP in.. if at all :P

LJ
X31, X200...

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#27 Post by warmstrong » Tue May 17, 2005 9:30 pm

Sorry to jump into this topic so late. I usually respond to quite quickly with a plug for the Tom Bihn Brain Cell.

http://www.tombihn.com

I own several for different size ThinkPads. They are not as sleek as what Booq offers but offer great protection with hard sides and a bottom cradle, they mate well with Tom Bihn's larger bags, and they have well designed optional shoulder straps. I use one for an X40 and one for an older A series Thinkpad. In addition I have both the Big Brain backpack that is ideal for big loads and long trips, as well as a new Super Ego messenger-style bag that I am using here in NYC on a daily basis for running all around town to meetings and the like on my single speed bike. All of the different size Brain Cells fasten into these larger multi-compartment bags.

Great stuff!

Regards,
Bill Armstrong

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#28 Post by emorphien » Tue May 17, 2005 9:33 pm

Thanks a lot!


I'm spending too much time here as I anticipate my T43p. And it's gonna be a while! :lol:

I've got an old trager shoulder bag I plan to keep using, for the moment I just want a nice sleeve that maybe can accomodate a shoulder strap.
X31, T43p (on sale soon I think :( ), T400

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#29 Post by EatMorGlue » Tue May 17, 2005 11:32 pm

I think I'm spending too much time on here also, which is leading me to spending too much money on my new TP, which wasn't cheap in the first place.

I'm torn now between the thinner Vyper and a thicker powersleeve or waterfield sleeve.

I definitely lean towards the idea of more padding = more protection, but the extra half-inch or so could definitely come in handy for fitting a few more books in my bag. And then there's also the whole zipper versus flap issue that I haven't resolved either.

Anyone had personal experience with the Vyper? I've read mixed reviews.

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#30 Post by emorphien » Tue May 17, 2005 11:47 pm

EatMorGlue wrote:Anyone had personal experience with the Vyper? I've read mixed reviews.
Yeah, based on the reviews I think i'd go with the Waterfield (although its pricy).

I also am planning to get the Crumpler "Considerable Embarrassment" since I need a new bag for school anyway (aside from my awkward trager) and one that happens to carry a laptop would be great. I'm just unsure of whether it will fit the 15" thinkpad in terms of front to back depth.
X31, T43p (on sale soon I think :( ), T400

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