Thinkpads Forum

I am looking for the perfect bag for my X220, and it seems like Thinkpad Ultraportable Case is the smallest one I can get that has at least one pocket. I am not planning to carry my powerbrick daily because I will be using the dock in the office, and I can keep spare brick at home and outside I generally do not use my laptop for more than 4 hrs.

If anyone has this case, can you let us know if X220 fits perfectly inside without moving around too much? Or if there is any other bag (I need a bag, not a slim fit case because I need to carry some documents, short USB cable and possibly USB thumbdrive and a few pens & business cards) It should have an handle so I can carry it with me and should be waterproof or resistant in case it rains.

Also, What does everyone do with these sleeves/skins? Do you just keep your laptop in it and throw it in another bag? Or carry it around like a folder? I might have another solution, I have this: Samsonite Underarm Portfolio with Retractable Handles and X220 fits perfectly in it, like a glove, but when I put a few extras in the front, it pushes against the lid and it gets a bit tight in there. If I use a sleeve, it will be even tighter, and with handles pushed it, it will not be safe for the screen. However, it works well for temporary solution for the time being. I can post a few pictures if anyone is interested.

I found this:
Samsonite Aramon NXT 13" MacBook Shuttle - eBags.com If I can find a retail location with these, it can be the perfect fit. Although hard to tell how much space is in those front zipper compartment.

Suggestions are really appreciated.

I have the Thinkpad ultraportable case. It's fairly roomy on the inside. There's a divider on in the middle of the center pocket and a velcro strap, which allows you to secure the notebook. It seems like it's in there pretty good to me. I've used it with the X200 and X200t as well.

+1

The ThinkPad Ultraportable case handles the X220 very well. It's a great laptop case and contains quite a variety of compartments for storage. The divider compartment w/ velcro closure that Fred mentioned is kind of like a laptop sleeve built in to the middle of the case. I think the X220 is about the widest laptop that would easily fit into that compartment, but it does fit well.

Thank you very much Fred and az,
How is the material? Amazon pictures show it paperthin and kind of cheaply made, but those are small pictures, there isn't much detail.
Would either one of you mind posting a picture(s) of it with your X220 in it?
We also have another Lenovo in our office, but it's Ideapad (I assume 13.5"). Would that also fit in it so we can order pair of these?
It seems pretty heavy, at 2.5lbs. It just sounds heavy, but I can't really weigh my old bag unless... let me see if I can find details of it online.

It's certainly as durable as my previous ThinkPad case of the same size, which I got from IBM when I bought my X32 six years ago, and both it and the X32 are still going strong. The new ultraportable case is better designed, though -- many more compartments, and double handles instead of a single handle on the older case.

My X220 is off for depot repair, so I can't take a photo of it with the case right now. The specs for Lenovo's ultraportable case say it will fit up to a 13.3" laptop. I'm sure that's true for the compartment in the center. You could probably even fit a 13.3" into the "sleeve" compartment that has the velcro closure; I just stated that an X220 was probably as wide as could fit easily into that compartment, i.e. without some fumbling to open it wider.

Heavy? I haven't weighed mine, but it doesn't seem too heavy. I'd say it strikes a good balance between sturdiness/protection and portability.

Thanks for the input. I guess if this is the one I choose, I can buy one and try his laptop in it, if it works we can just order another one.

It arrived few days ago and I love it.
I just could not figure out what is that plastic soft piece is for? Is that for the base of the laptop? It is like a pillow..

hyde wrote:It arrived few days ago and I love it.
I just could not figure out what is that plastic soft piece is for? Is that for the base of the laptop? It is like a pillow..

Yes it is there to damp shocks if you throw your laptop/laptop bag around, which I never do anyway - I removed it as it raises the centre of gravity and sometimes makes the bag topple over

I have used several ThinkPad bags in the past and this is by far the best for the X-series. My only gripe is the passport/embarcation card holder in front - brilliant idea but badly executed. Mine is already ripped as it is so tight and being rushed at airports does not help either.

Haha, yep, I founded it is actually like an airbag. I thought it would go on the top, but when going on the bottom, it just expands the bottom. I might try it, because I find my X220 slip and fall to the bottom time to time. If it doesn't add much more weight, I will use it.

I totally forgot about the passport holder, that's where I should my business cards.
I must say that it is a very nice bag, nicely designed and very sturdy, feels complete with the laptop when carrying around. I just need to get a dock so I can stop carrying my powerbrick to work every day.

Actually I use a well custiioned Jantzen sleeve and insert that into a dingy looking beat up laptop bag. I dont used ThinkPad branded bags. This way any thugs "hoo rodding" are less likely to try to grab my bag.

If a thug needs a laptop, they will grab no matter what you are carrying. I don't think they will have the luxury of being picky on what they will grab.
After all, you could be carrying a fancy bag with a dingy laptop.

hyde wrote:If a thug needs a laptop, they will grab no matter what you are carrying. I don't think they will have the luxury of being picky on what they will grab.
After all, you could be carrying a fancy bag with a dingy laptop.

That's above the 100's West or East in Manhattan or in Brooklyn. I'm in the OC, Cali. Diff world.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but could someone who owns one of these if they think an 11" MBA would also fit in?

Cheers

The X220 is 12.5" ... so yes, certainly.

Thanks but I meant as well as an x201?

I have both and want a nice small bag that they will both fit into.

Cheers

Phil

Yes, they'll both fit in the large internal compartment. But you'd have to use the large outer compartment for your power adapters, and if you're carrying two of those it leaves little room for much else in that space.

They might move sideways so you may need some cushions on the sides.