What's the best Thinkpad Sleeve/Case?

Message

dmcgibbo · #1 Post by **dmcgibbo** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:40 am

I have a Thinkpad leather/pleather case that I got for my A30p that fits my new T42p, but the case seems like it's 10lbs and even with just the computer it is really bulky for some reason (and the shoulder strap sucks)

Anyway, I'd much rather just carry my Thinkpad in my hands so is there a smaller sleeve that has some padding and a pocket for the power supply? The best option would be a sleeve that unzipped so you could use the T42p while in the sleeve and then had a pocket on the outside to hold the power supply and a couple discs.

Thanks

Noel · #2 Post by **Noel** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 12:41 pm

See Tom Bihn and Trager.

Personally, though, I bought a Victorinox WebSeries 2.0 WebMaster, which I am very happy with. Quality is excellent. It carries my T42p, plenty of accessories (including a Venus DS-3 external HD case), courseware or other papers, and the standard assortment of personal items. I mention the DS-3 because the WebMaster has an interior pocket that seems made for carrying that sort of external housing.

I've provided you with some links to these items. Shop around. You may have trouble getting a good price on Trager or Bihn, but the Victoronix can be had for considerable discounts, and their customer service is extraordinary.

The computer sleeve is removable, and is excellent. But if I was going to carry only a sleeve, I would get a Trager or Bihn.

dmcgibbo · #3 Post by **dmcgibbo** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:58 pm

Message has been edited by Moderator

this is kinda of more along the lines of what i was thinking but it may just be for an X series...

all i want is a case to protect against bumps/scratches and that will hold my t42p, power cable, a couple of pens, and a cd or two. The office executive would be perfect if it fit my 15" t42p and if instead of weirdly shaped outer pockets it was just one big pocket that would hold a notebook and everything else...

Targus Office Executive

And this Targus is interesting but it won't hold my power brick I don't think...

click 1.
click 2.

I wouldn't mind an over the shoulder bag like my current A series one, but you can only wear it on your one shoulder and the handle hurts and squeaks like crazy - I'd like to wear the back on my other shoulder and have it cross like a messenger back. But a slim case that I just hold would be preferred.

And this seems to be IBM's thinnest and cheapest case for all the series and is nylon but do you know where i could see this and try it out to see if it's better than the one i have?

ThinkPad Nylon Carrying Case

ZPrime · #4 Post by **ZPrime** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 4:58 pm

Noel wrote: I've provided you with some links to these items. Shop around. You may have trouble getting a good price on Trager or Bihn, but the Victoronix can be had for considerable discounts, and their customer service is extraordinary.

Could you define "considerable discounts"? The Webmaster is listed at $325! I could get a pair of Bihn Empire builders for that price.

I have my selections down to the Empire Builder or the Victorinox - do you know how much internal volume the Webmaster has? Bihn lists the Empire Builder at 1700 in^3.

I like that the Bihn stuff is all made in the US, and I also like how he puts bright colors on the inside to help find stuff in the bag. Does the Webmaster do this? ... if it does, I bet it's only in red.

hoodaman · #5 Post by **hoodaman** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:26 pm

I just figured out what sleeve I am getting for my T42

waterfield sleeves at sfbags.com

http://www.sfbags.com/PRODUCTS/SC_INFO/sc.htm

has the messenger bag strap in case I want to carry it alone...

eriqesque · #6 Post by **eriqesque** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:47 pm

Excellent choice I had one for my T40
great sleeve.

2112 · #7 Post by **2112** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 7:26 pm

Just ordered a Powersleeve 14 for my 14.1" with a 9 cell...I'll let y'all know what I think

rideDPU · #8 Post by **rideDPU** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 9:08 pm

I will second the Booq PowerSleeve...

Mark

ratbrat2 · #9 Post by **ratbrat2** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 3:09 am

I ordered a 15" notebook sleeve from shinza.com for my 14.1" T42.

I looked at tons of different sleeves out there, including all of the above mentioned links, and I think this one looks the simplest/cleanest. It's supposed to fit snugly.

Look at the dimensions carefully - I had to order the Medium sized one.

Shoim32 · #10 Post by **Shoim32** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 8:40 pm

How is the fit of the Powersleeve 14 with a T42 14.1"? 6 cell or 9 cell batt? I have a KTU and am considering this sleeve. Any other recommendations?

2112 · #11 Post by **2112** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 6:32 pm

I've had my PowerSleeve for about a week now and love it! I've got the 14" with the 9 cell and the fit is perfect in the PowerSleeve14. I've yet to try my 6 cell, but the inside is layered with a soft "Grabby" material so I'm sure it would feel fine. I have a Trager Cross Country pack and the sleeve fits nicely inside. All in all I'm very happy with my ThinkPad armor and would recommend it!

dmcgibbo · #12 Post by **dmcgibbo** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 8:24 pm

i wish there was a sleeve that was very minimalistic, light, and skinny and only had some padding, a pocket to hold a power supply, and a pocket for a few papers and cd's and that's it. i haven't been able to find one.

Matt · #13 Post by **Matt** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:05 pm

I'm lookin for that same bag, dude...lemme know if you find it!

Leon · #14 Post by **Leon** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:09 pm

nsuperman86 · #15 Post by **nsuperman86** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 10:31 pm

dmcgibbo wrote:i wish there was a sleeve that was very minimalistic, light, and skinny and only had some padding, a pocket to hold a power supply, and a pocket for a few papers and cd's and that's it. i haven't been able to find one.

Have you not checked out Booq's Powersleeve 14 or 15? From reviews on this board and others I have heard it is the sleeve of choice, and has space to carry lots of stuff. I just ordered mine the other day and it should be here soon. I will let you know if it can hold the power supply, cds, and papers well or not. Until then, happy hunting!

fdelement · #16 Post by **fdelement** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 2:23 am

I just got my t42 2379dxu and I also bought the powersleeve 15. It fits my laptop, ac charger, and a mouse with room for documents. great choice

dmcgibbo · #17 Post by **dmcgibbo** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 2:27 am

fdelement wrote:I just got my t42 2379dxu and I also bought the powersleeve 15. It fits my laptop, ac charger, and a mouse with room for documents. great choice

can you take a picture? i don't see how that fits in the case - i guess the power brick rubs against the PC or you stack it or there's a pocket or what?

Deb Suran · #18 Post by **Deb Suran** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 7:04 am

http://www.thepouch.com/

nsuperman86 · #19 Post by **nsuperman86** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:11 pm

dmcgibbo wrote:
fdelement wrote:I just got my t42 2379dxu and I also bought the powersleeve 15. It fits my laptop, ac charger, and a mouse with room for documents. great choice
can you take a picture? i don't see how that fits in the case - i guess the power brick rubs against the PC or you stack it or there's a pocket or what?

check out this older topic
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... light=booq

go to page 2 of the topic, amd to the 2nd post from the bottom. Rancor took some pretty good pictures of the sleeve and has them posted.

there are 2 pouches on the powersleeve i believe, that hold a good amount of stuff.

dmcgibbo · #20 Post by **dmcgibbo** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:12 pm

fdelement wrote:I just got my t42 2379dxu and I also bought the powersleeve 15. It fits my laptop, ac charger, and a mouse with room for documents. great choice

do you fit the AC charger and mouse in the pocket flap or in the main case stuffed in? I have a T42 2378dyu (15") would i be able to get the Powersleeve 14 or is the 15 you have already tight? I looked at the interior dimensions of the 14 on Booq's site and it looks like the width is the only problem but in another thread I think I read that it fits.

as far as sleeves go, it looks like the Booq Powersleeve is by far the best and then probably the sfbags.com one is good as well - you can add a "piggyback" to fit accessories - but it looks like it's not as well made or would protect it as well. i would just buy a messenger bag to replace my Thinkpad A series case but I can't find one I like that's less than 200 bucks. The Targus/Port/IBM A Series case I have creaks when I wear it b/c of the D-rings and kills my shoulder (I think it's like 4-5lbs). A bag like the Spire would be nice but that isn't available anyway.

I have a North Face messenger bag that I love - simple bag with a front and back pocket and shoulder strap - but it's a little too small and square to fit large books and probably my TP. What other good messenger bags are out there? I looked at Timbuk2 which was ok. They have the commuter (not the detour unfortunately) bag at the apple store here so I'll check it out some time this week.

hoodaman · #21 Post by **hoodaman** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:15 pm

I just jumped on the booq powersleeve 14 instead of the waterfield. Booq looks a little better looking to me, much cheaper for similar product.

nacy333 · #22 Post by **nacy333** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 4:01 pm

I will second, third, fourth, etc.. the recomendations for the booq powersleeve 14. I've had mine for I believe 3 months now and can't be more than happy. I have the T42P-KTU with the 9 Cell and it seems to hold it snuggly.

I've got barely enough space to store the power supply and a small set of earbud headphones in the small front pouch.

In the rear pouch I can store a thin paper notebook and a few cd's (though that makes it stretch out if the CD's are in standard size Audio-CD cases.

Regardless, its minimalist while allowing me to store a few essential items (power supply and a paper notebook). I do not believe it is possible to fit a mouse inside the the case or the pouches unless you remove the powersupply or if it is a very small mouse.

I think however, I might just order some accessories to the Powersleeve to hold a mouse and other small items here:

http://www.booqbags.com/Search.bok?category=Gadgets

baobab · #23 Post by **baobab** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 4:05 pm

dmcgibbo wrote:i wish there was a sleeve that was very minimalistic, light, and skinny and only had some padding, a pocket to hold a power supply, and a pocket for a few papers and cd's and that's it. i haven't been able to find one.

The Umbra Biz Bag, designed by Karim Rahid, is sleek, minimalistic and functional: just enough space for a laptop, accessories & a few docs. As long as you're not aiming to put it inside another bag / happy with the slightly larger "height" resulting from the integrated handle, it's a good solution. A friend has one, and it attracts a lot of compliments.

Bag Peddlar has some interior shots, and a good price.

Raindrop · #24 Post by **Raindrop** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 9:20 pm

nacy333 wrote:I will second, third, fourth, etc.. the recomendations for the booq powersleeve 14. I've had mine for I believe 3 months now and can't be more than happy. I have the T42P-KTU with the 9 Cell and it seems to hold it snuggly.

I've got barely enough space to store the power supply and a small set of earbud headphones in the small front pouch.

In the rear pouch I can store a thin paper notebook and a few cd's (though that makes it stretch out if the CD's are in standard size Audio-CD cases.

Regardless, its minimalist while allowing me to store a few essential items (power supply and a paper notebook). I do not believe it is possible to fit a mouse inside the the case or the pouches unless you remove the powersupply or if it is a very small mouse.

I think however, I might just order some accessories to the Powersleeve to hold a mouse and other small items here:

http://www.booqbags.com/Search.bok?category=Gadgets

As a newby here I did exactly what you are proposing. Ordered the Powersleeve plus the FonePaq to house the power supply. Supports the minimalist approach yet doesn't stretch everything out. This should provide a nice cross over from my old Tumi attache.

Can't begin to communicate how helpful this forum has been in terms of guidance in resolving a problems with my old Thinkpad and working towards a replacement.

dmcgibbo · #25 Post by **dmcgibbo** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 11:20 pm

i went by my local apple store (blasphemy!) and they had the Timbuk2 commuter bag and an Incase nylon sleeve.

The Incase nylon sleeve would be perfect for a bunch of you - it is just a regular sleeve but has a pocket on the front and back for a power supply, handles, and a shoulder strap. After seeing it in person, I don't know if the Booq Powersleeve or the Incase is nicer - maybe the Incase for my needs.

Anyway, I really liked the Timbuk2 so I was considering just getting that messenger bag since it's a sleeve plus I could carry a few other things at the same time. The thing I really didn't like about it though is the bright yellow brand label - why would they put that on an all black bag so that it sticks out and makes the bag look less formal?

For just a sleeve, the Booq or the Incase are great and for a bag, I kinda like the Timbuk2 - but I can't decide which of the 3 to get b/c sometimes i'd like a messenger bag but I might just like the minimalist sleeve but I wouldn't know unless I could try them out. And I don't like how informal the Timbuk2 looks - if I get a professional job soon I'd have to resort back to using a regular more conservative laptop case...

edit: btw, the spire case will be out in october they said, not september.

nsuperman86 · #26 Post by **nsuperman86** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 12:00 am

i just got my powersleeve 14 for my 14inch T42 and it fits snuggly. it feels very durable and looks great. there is plenty of room for a power supply and documents and CDs in the pouches. highly recommended.

mdarnton · #27 Post by **mdarnton** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 7:49 am

I suppose it depends on what you want to carry, and what else you have. I always carry a big bag anyway, so I got a $20 CaseLogic sleeve--nothing to it, just a neoprene pocket with a zipper on the long side--and it's fine in my regular bag. Then when I go on the road, I slip that and the computer into a real computer bag I got at RadioShack for $20, also. That one has a pocket on the outside for "stuff". It's sort of cheap looking, but the two together give lots of padding, and I usually try to follow the photographers' rule of not carrying my gear in a fancy case that's got "STEAL ME" written all over it in big red letters.

Plinkerton · #28 Post by **Plinkerton** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 4:46 pm

Will the Booq powerleeve 14 fit in a standard size packpack? I often wear a packpack for school, and it would be great if I didn't have to wear/carry 2 things at once. I'm often on a skateboard...

2112 · #29 Post by **2112** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 5:57 pm

My Powersleeve14 fits very comfortably in my Trager CrossCountry pack...it is a relatively small pack. And I'll add again that I am very happy with my Powersleeve!

Plinkerton · #30 Post by **Plinkerton** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 6:05 pm

Sweet. Thanks 2112. I'm gonna buy it. The only things I need it to hold will be the powercord, a tiny flashdrive stick thing, a mini sd card reader, and maybe a cd or 2. It seems like it can handle all this. A mouse would be nice, but if it's too small, I'll just find some other way around that.

Thanks again.

Oh yeah, one more question, it seems that the 14 is the size I need for a 14.1 inch T42. Am I assuming right?

If I remember right, the 14.1 T42 is 12.2 X 10 X 1. I see that the 14 will have a little extra room all around since it's interior dimensions are
13.5" x 10.5" x 1.4". Is it still a nice fit?

What's the best Thinkpad Sleeve/Case?

What's the best Thinkpad Sleeve/Case?

Minimalist style - Umbra Biz Bag

Powersleeve with Accessories

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