Wow, Cheap (Authentic?) Sleeves On eBay...

[CRSO]

These look like the real deal (or are they?). I believe the word "authentic" cannot be in there is it isn't authentic. That's why a lot of fake Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc. resellers don't put it in their ads.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Authentic-IBM-Lenov ... dZViewItem

MOD EDIT: Moved to Off topic.

[erik]

"authentic" on ebay doesn't mean jack.   i've purchased a few things on ebay claimed to be authentic only to end up being knockoffs -- and not very good ones at that.

these might be real and they might be good replicas.   if you decide to buy then just keep an open mind when opening the box.

[tandyman]

Is it really worth buying one of these "sleeves", rather than buying a messenger bag for the laptop?

[CRSO]

Yes

[kensplace]

Is a messenger bag another term for a laptop bag?

What makes the sleeves better than say, a proper IBM thinkpad laptop bag?

[Grey Area]

Those look like the one I have. If they are the same, then they are nicely made, good quality, but I doubt they are authentic. My sleeve sure isn't - no FRU-number, no proper packaging. Are there even any authentic ones, I've never seen one on an official site?

What makes the sleeves better than say, a proper IBM thinkpad laptop bag?

I cannot speak for others, but I already have a good, rugged and expensive bag that I use every day for all my gear, where everything has its place, and I prefer using it for my notebook as well. The sleeve protects the Thinkpad from the bottles, tools, etc. that share the bag. Also, unlike an IBM bag my own doesn't advertise that there is an expensive computer inside.

Björn

[eddy eddy]

I have one of this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0123485697

definitely not genuine.

Don't offer much protection though. Only to avoid some scratches but not a bump or drop.

[Temetka]

I used to own one (now it's dimitri's or will be when he receives the T41p I just sold him). A friend of mine once described it as a Thinkpad condom due to how snugly it fit the machine with the 9-cell battery installed.

I liked the sleeve a lot and it protected the lappy nicely from minor bumps and scrapes. It is by no means a proper way to transport the laptop though.