Free TP BackPack or Discounted Shoulder Carrying case?

[princeatul]

Hello Folks, Lenovo is offering free/discounted carrying cases with TP...
I'm debating between the two:

1. ThinkPad Backpack Carrying Case -> Free, original cost $69
2. ThinkPad Premiere Leather Carrying Case -> $29, original cost $99

I know backpack vs shoulder starp cases are a matter of choice & taste
but given the fact that they are available at discounted rates, do you guys
think I should go for Leather one and then buy off Backpack somewhere else? Am open to inputs regarding durability, quality, beauty, etc
In the process of ordering a TP and hence this question.

[princeatul]

Update...
Ordered T43 with Premiere Leather Carrying Case. Can't wait to get the machine!

[AlphaKilo470]

Good choice, those leather cases look really nice.

[princeatul]

Good choice,

Thanks

those leather cases look really nice.

In that case, I believe the tini-tiny photo on the Lenovo website is a grave injustice to it!

[AlphaKilo470]

I have a friend with the IBM leather case, really nice. Does a decent job protecting the ThinkPad and leather really makes a statement when you're in the boardroom and/or somewhere else with important people. It's also just nice to have and use.

I have a really nice doublewide Targus case that's made from leather that I use to travel with since it can hold all my junk and a smaller $30 BaseXX brand pleather (really good pleather, everyone I've shown it to was fooled) case that I use for normal day to day transport and both have exhibited several times over to me that having either leather or close enough to it that others are fooled can make a difference.

If you can get leather at not much extra cost, go for it, unless of course you do lots of work in the crappier areas of town in which case you want something totally crappy and ugly. I actually still have my old nylon Targus case from the mid-1990's, originally used for my 350c when I still had it, showing it's age badly, I had to duct tape the handle back in place, the black is fading in many areas, it's scuffed, perfect for when I go downtown, people see it and assume the contents are as crappy as the bag.

[princeatul]

Does a decent job protecting the ThinkPad and leather really makes a statement when you're in the boardroom and/or somewhere else with important people.

WOW When I opted for it, only thing on my mind was 'protection'!
But... lo and behold... I have a plus of impressing people around Only feel more satisfied after reading this!

If you can get leather at not much extra cost, go for it.

Usually I don't use leather products. But this occasion is an exception for good reasons. Discounted price being just one of them.

I'm looking for a good backpack for about $40-$50? It's pretty convenient when I go out on a bike. Any recommendations?
For that matter, how is Lenovo's backpack for $70?
Or Targus Slam Backpack ($53), as sold by Lenovo?

[AlphaKilo470]

Not too sure about backpacks as I've never used any that were specifically designed to accomodate a laptop. I'd say whatever is lightweight enough for you to find comfortable but while still providing sufficent padding to protect your laptop while on the move and make sure the bag will not ony protect the computer from the outside but from stuff in the bag too. Basically, the same guideline used when buying backpacks for other things, except with the computer added into the equation.

[trisjung]

So did you received the free case with your notebook? I got my T43 a few days ago and was wondering if the free case should've come with the notebook.

quote="princeatul"]Update...
Ordered T43 with Premiere Leather Carrying Case. Can't wait to get the machine![/quote]

[princeatul]

So did you received the free case with your notebook?

Yes, I did receive my free (well, discounted) case. It's still with my friend in US and hence didn't get a chance to see it yet.

I got my T43 a few days ago and was wondering if the free case should've come with the notebook.

Well, Lenovo keeps switching this offer ON and OFF (at least in US). First when I started looking for TP (on website) they had this offer, a few weeks later the stopped it and then started this offer again!
If you are CTO'ing your model, you are expected to select a free case option explicitly at the top of page. Not sure of what to do if you are ordering pre-configured model. Maybe your sales rep should have helped you.

[trisjung]

Thanks for the info.

So did you received the free case with your notebook?

Yes, I did receive my free (well, discounted) case. It's still with my friend in US and hence didn't get a chance to see it yet.

I got my T43 a few days ago and was wondering if the free case should've come with the notebook.

Well, Lenovo keeps switching this offer ON and OFF (at least in US). First when I started looking for TP (on website) they had this offer, a few weeks later the stopped it and then started this offer again!
If you are CTO'ing your model, you are expected to select a free case option explicitly at the top of page. Not sure of what to do if you are ordering pre-configured model. Maybe your sales rep should have helped you.