Laptop Backpack for T42

[JLai]

I was looking for a new laptop backpack for my T42 (already have a Victorinox WebMessenger).

So far, my fav is the Booq BoaXL. But I've also looked at Spire and TomBihn bags (not really interested in Jansport, Targus, or Samsonite). I'm mostly interested in quality and style irregardless of price. I was wondering what you guys recommend or what names I've overlooked before I place an order.

Thanx ahead.

-Joe

[Ripper]

Take it from a law student who spends a lot of time carrying heavy books around - North Face Recon.

[JLai]

Take it from a law student who spends a lot of time carrying heavy books around - North Face Recon.

Thats kinda my reasons for getting a new bag. 4th term medical student.

[kanate]

I recommend IBM Thinkpad Backpack 73P3599

The real one look much better than the picture and it's the best quality and most comfortable backpack i've tried. It's quality is comparable to most of $100+ laptop backpack.

The price is about right also; not too expensive

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getp ... ch=73P3599

It's made by Targus, but the quality and look is much better than all the Targus backpack i've seen.

More picture: http://www.targus.com/us/popup.asp?sku= ... D+Backpack
Spec: http://www.targus.com/us/product_detail ... ku=73P3599

[macdaddie0]

Spire has decent backpacks. I've used two and both hold very well.

[dwc]

I've had Tom Bihn for 4 years and travel a lot (80 flights per year). The bag is still as good as new. I really like the way it suspends the laptop in the middle of the bag rather than letting it sit on bottom - makes it a lot more comfortable to carry around. At airports, I put both the SnakeCharmer and laptop in a tray and it's really easy to get them in and out of the pack.

[pat]

I recommend IBM Thinkpad Backpack 73P3599

The real one look much better than the picture and it's the best quality and most comfortable backpack i've tried. It's quality is comparable to most of $100+ laptop backpack.

The price is about right also; not too expensive

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getp ... ch=73P3599

It's made by Targus, but the quality and look is much better than all the Targus backpack i've seen.

More picture: http://www.targus.com/us/popup.asp?sku= ... D+Backpack
Spec: http://www.targus.com/us/product_detail ... ku=73P3599

I have and use this bag in the winter time and it's awesome.

Holds everything I want.

ATM, I'm using a Timbuk2 Commute though. Awesome bag as well.

[combustion]

STM makes some nice bags.
http://www.standardtm.com.au/backpacks

I have the alley messenger bag and I love it, super light and durable.
http://www.standardtm.com.au/mediumalley

[LRoy]

I was looking for a new laptop backpack for my T42 (already have a Victorinox WebMessenger).

So far, my fav is the Booq BoaXL. But I've also looked at Spire and TomBihn bags (not really interested in Jansport, Targus, or Samsonite). I'm mostly interested in quality and style irregardless of price. I was wondering what you guys recommend or what names I've overlooked before I place an order.

Thanx ahead.

-Joe

Brenthaven is worth a look. I have their Trek backpack and like it a lot. Very high quality IMO but not cheap.

Probably a little too big if you're just carrying the laptop but if you want room for a couple water bottles, lunch, book, leatherman tool, power adaptor, and a 25ft network cable then it rocks. I even use to carry two 15" thinkpads at times.

The included sleeve is bulky and eats up a lot of room but does fit the 15" models. It's removeable if you want to use a different sleeve.

The best price I found on it was from newegg.

[iriverconvert]

Hey all. I can say that after looking at Booq, Brenthaven, Tumi, Trek, Tom Bihn, North Face (what a joke), and many many others, that the best value for the dollar, most space, and best fit has got to be Spire.

A little known company in Colorado, Spire's customer service department is small but responsive. I checked out their website, http://www.spireusa.com, and saw the Meta and the Volt but ended up picking the Meta since I needed to carry:
my T42 Thinkpad (of course), powercord, my MP3 player, USB cable for connecting to T42 (file transfers), portable mouse, Shure E3C earbuds (perfect for isolating noise out in library), ethernet cable, voice recorder, 3 large law school hardbound textbooks, study guides, folders, legal pad, notebook, and waterbottle.

The bad comes with a fitted sleeve or "boot" that secures internally via velcro and a plastic sheath. However, sometimes I just take the boot out and carry just my laptop for a slimmer profile. I have the large boot, since I have the 15" T42. Others with the 14" can probably use the medium boot.

Now, to carry all that the bag will look a bit bulky than others, but in sheer volume (cubic inches) the Meta is unsurpassed. North Face may be stylish, but the carrying handle, capacity, and straps are a little on the light side. I can carry a lot and fit it under an airplane seat since the compression straps are very effective and the straps and waist harness fold into a hidden compartment (usually reserved for documents and folders) so there are no protruding straps to get caught on anything.

The bag also comes with a shoulder strap that attaches on two ringlets so you can carry the bag sideways. This comes in handy when you are at the airport and have tucked in the other straps (see above) and just want to carry it instead of having it on your back. The carrying handle is very durable and comfortable to grip- very sturdy.

On the inside, it has "Removable HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene) framesheet with a T6-6061 aluminum stay for reinforcement" (removable for maintenance) that increases sturdiness and helps keep the shape of the pack. This contributes a miniscule amount of weight but adds to the lifetime of the backpack.

I have done the research, all you need to do is check it out! It's a little on the expensive side, but then you're getting a lot of backpack. You'd pay more for a Tumi and get half the capacity and less than half the features. I'm going to do a pictoral review and send it in to http://www.the-gadgeteer.com soon. Be on the lookout!

I highly recommend this backpack- very comfortable, durable, and pays for itself!

http://www.spireusa.com/products/ME5.html

[krosenstein]

I have a Targus Matrix that I'm pretty satisfied with. I fabricated a liner out corrugated plastic signboard to provide some rigidity for the computer compartment.

[pae77]

That Meta bag looks very nice.

Currently I am using a Jansport (which I picked up for $10 at Costco last year) with a padded laptop sleeve from another bag. Holds all my computer stuff plus room for some other things. Works surprisingly well considering the low cost. Have traveled to the other side of the world with it several times.

But someday when I can spare the $$, I will get a bag like that Meta.

[kernel32]

http://www.backcountry.com/store/TNF061 ... cu-in.html

Thats what I've got for my thinkpad, it works. The padding leaves a little to be desired when my books are mashing up against it, so i keep the pad in a sleeve too

[Lohengrin]

I recommend IBM Thinkpad Backpack 73P3599

The real one look much better than the picture and it's the best quality and most comfortable backpack i've tried. It's quality is comparable to most of $100+ laptop backpack.

The price is about right also; not too expensive

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getp ... ch=73P3599

It's made by Targus, but the quality and look is much better than all the Targus backpack i've seen.

More picture: http://www.targus.com/us/popup.asp?sku= ... D+Backpack
Spec: http://www.targus.com/us/product_detail ... ku=73P3599

I use this one for my 15' T42p and love it. very comfortable, durable, nice looking of accordant style with thinkpad. if you don't have to take a lot of books, this well-built compact backpack is really recommended.