Thinkpads Forum

I will need to get a new sleeve to use inside a messenger bag for a T61 (9 cell battery). I've been searching and narrowed it down to 3:

Victorinox C2 and C3:
http://www.swissarmy.com/TravelGear/Pag ... duct=35441&

http://www.swissarmy.com/TravelGear/Pag ... t=30354001&

Tom Bihn Horizontal Brain Cell (model 3S?):
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0300

Does anyone have any experience with any of these...or with any other they might like even better?

My messenger bag is usually filled with heavy grad. text books so I am looking for something that is a little more than just a sleeve... preferably something that not only provides some "crush" protection, but also has a suspension system (like the above bags).

Thank you very much for your help!

I use a sleeve from waterfield designs and I'm pretty happy with it.
They are very sturdy but not to bulky and you can customize them to your needs. Of course not to mention the guy that makes+sells them is fantastic. I own two already.
They are a bit pricey but considering it protects your laptop, I'd go for the investment. Besides, the price is not much different from the products you've listed above.
This is a link to the website.
http://www.sfbags.com/index.htm

I second the waterfield suggestion - www.sfbags.com is the site and i also agree Gary is awesome.

Timbuk2 once made some decent, well-padded sleeves with soft materials inside (such as corduroy) but it's been a few years since I've bought one.

I'm interested in the waterfield sleeve, but I'm not sure what size to get. I have the T61 14.1" widescreen + 9 cell. If you go to their size chart for ThinkPads (here), they list the T61 14.1" widescreen for 6, 7 cell. They also list T61 14.1" 9 cell, but non-widescreen. So the former is probably the way to go? Does the 9 cell stick out as much as the 7 cell? If you have the same laptop and battery as me and ordered a waterfield, which sleeve did you get? Thanks!

I know you're interested in the Brain Cell, but in case you're curious about it, I have the Tom Bihn Horizontal Soft Cell, and find it to be a relatively loose fit for my T61. I have the 14" standard ratio model with the 6 cell battery though, so it may fit differently with your T61. I think it's designed for the widescreen models.

I considered returning it, but then realized that you can't return it with the tags removed, which I foolishly did immediately upon receiving it. Other than the loose fit, it's a good sleeve.

Booq has "armored" (ballistic nylon) sleeves.

http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl?sc=13 (at the bottom)

Thank you everyone for your replies...I REALLY appreciate it!!

These sound like some excellent options, but I have been leaning toward the Brain Cell and Victorinox bags/sleeves only bkz they have a suspension system and hard walled sides. I will be carrying one of these bags/sleeves inside a large messenger bag filled with heavy text books and other large heavy items and I am looking for something that provides a little bit of "crush resistance" and jarring protection.

I am still trying to decide...it is tough when you can't see things in person... Thank you all again very much!

http://cgi.ebay.com/14-14-1-Soft-Laptop ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-Anti-S ... dZViewItem

I understand you want protection from heavy textbooks and objects... but hey, its a Thinkpad! That in itself is more than enough protection for a lot of people (esp. with the T61's magnesium roll cage that looks like a deathstar and what not).

I carry my T61p around in a thin sleeve along with heavy textbooks in a backpack with no problem at all.

Of course, you can never be too careful

kted1114 wrote:I use a sleeve from waterfield designs and I'm pretty happy with it.
They are very sturdy but not to bulky and you can customize them to your needs. Of course not to mention the guy that makes+sells them is fantastic. I own two already.
They are a bit pricey but considering it protects your laptop, I'd go for the investment. Besides, the price is not much different from the products you've listed above.
This is a link to the website.
http://www.sfbags.com/index.htm

I know that they recommend the 29-22 for the T61 15-inch w/ 9 cell. do they have a fairly low profile? I too am looking for something to insert in my Victorinox WebManager soft-sided brief. My friend had a T61 and didn't use a sleeve and rubberized corners of his laptop lid started wearing off.

I have this Sony Vaio bag and it's a perfect fit for my 15"4 T61p with both batteries! I highly recommend this bag!

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... b=Features

I would definitely email waterfield designs and ask them your question about sizing. The almost always respond the same day or the day after. I have one of their sleeves and i cant stop raving about it.

The sleeve offers a lot of protection and the walls of the sleeve cushion my t61p 15.4 9 and cell very well.


Gary will take of you.

-James

nishijb wrote:I know that they recommend the 29-22 for the T61 15-inch w/ 9 cell. do they have a fairly low profile? I too am looking for something to insert in my Victorinox WebManager soft-sided brief. My friend had a T61 and didn't use a sleeve and rubberized corners of his laptop lid started wearing off.

Their not exactly 'thin' sleeves like neoprene products. They do have quite a cushion which adds, I'd say about half an inch to your laptop when inserted. But its made to fit pretty snug to the orderer's laptop so I doubt it'll add too much of a bulk.
As Jathm said, definitely email them tell them your concern. They are very responsive.

I'll give the Tom Bihn Brain Cell a vote. Although the fit might not be "perfect", TB offers Brain Cells in a variety of sizes. You can even email or post on their forums to ask for exact internal dimensions, and they'll be able to help you. The TB crew is really responsive and awesome. Not to sound like a shill, but I've been buying from them for a few years now and none of their products have ever let me down.

Interesting. What is the current consensus? I am looking at the Thinkpad Sleeves on Ebay.

Here's the one I bought which I love!
http://www.luggageonline.com/productlist.cfm?catID=83
the shorline 15.4 inch widescreen one

crashnburn wrote:Interesting. What is the current consensus? I am looking at the Thinkpad Sleeves on Ebay.

would also be interested to hear experiences with the cheaper ebay sleeves. Like are they a good fit for a t61 14" widescreen? As others mention the t serires are fairly tough so im just after something to prevent scrapes etc.

jonnnny wrote:I understand you want protection from heavy textbooks and objects... but hey, its a Thinkpad! That in itself is more than enough protection for a lot of people (esp. with the T61's magnesium roll cage that looks like a deathstar and what not).

I carry my T61p around in a thin sleeve along with heavy textbooks in a backpack with no problem at all.

The problem I have had is that the screen gets pressed against the keyboard which then leaves marks on the screen. I wish there was a bit more clearance between screen and keyboard.

I know use a little cloth in between to prevent further problems, but the pressure is still there no doubt.

esmail wrote:

jonnnny wrote:I understand you want protection from heavy textbooks and objects... but hey, its a Thinkpad! That in itself is more than enough protection for a lot of people (esp. with the T61's magnesium roll cage that looks like a deathstar and what not).

I carry my T61p around in a thin sleeve along with heavy textbooks in a backpack with no problem at all.

The problem I have had is that the screen gets pressed against the keyboard which then leaves marks on the screen. I wish there was a bit more clearance between screen and keyboard.

I know use a little cloth in between to prevent further problems, but the pressure is still there no doubt.

I have that dreaded "Trackpoint" imprint on the T61 screen. Any way to prevent that?

crashnburn wrote:I have that dreaded "Trackpoint" imprint on the T61 screen. Any way to prevent that?

AFAIK, putting a protective cloth is the only solution, ShaggyMac screen protectors are quite fine in this regard.

It usually happens on X-series often than any other in my experience.

u noe thinkpad or not
i would recommend investing 40-50 bucks on sum protection for ur 1300 dollar laptop

ryengineer wrote:

crashnburn wrote:I have that dreaded "Trackpoint" imprint on the T61 screen. Any way to prevent that?

AFAIK, putting a protective cloth is the only solution, ShaggyMac screen protectors are quite fine in this regard.

It usually happens on X-series often than any other in my experience.

Thanks for the info. Would one of those PRIVACY screen things work as well?

What would be a good one? I saw some of the 3M ones in store and they seemed a little expensive.

Thoughts?

I strongly recommend the WaterField sleeve as well. My 14.1 wide T61 fits well in a size 27-22 and has a little extra at the top with a 6 cell battery, so you might not need to change for the 9 cell, but I'm sure they'll fix it if you tell them what battery you're using.