Need to find a good backpack for my T43p...

[Chordate]

I am looking for a backpack of high quality that can fit a lot of books, and has a dedicated laptop pouch. I was thinking of a Tumi, but the backpack I would want to 375 dollars, and I am looking to spend more along the lines of 200 dollars... so any ideas would be very helpful.

Thanks!

[c333]

Its alot cheaper, but I was thinking about this:

http://www.ebags.com/timberland/dogwood ... elid=54845

It seemed to get good reviews, I think I might get it.

[Chordate]

Looks nice, but I am looking for something of better qualit... something between that, and Tumi.

[aaronpropst]

I use the northface recon.

http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/ope ... uctId=4732

I love this pack.. the sleeve is a bit narrow for the t4x with the extended battery.. but i slip mine in and out of it almost daily just fine.

the cool thing about it is that it has a pretty low profile when empty, but can balloon up like a blowfish when full.. i've carried my puter, extra batteries, numerous unnamable other stuff.. and 2 2 liter bottles of soda in it.

[c333]

That North Face looks good, I might have to get it. The only thing i don't like is all those [censored] straps that you'll never use around campus. They end up just hanging out and bothering you.

[muffd]

Have you thought of a Targus? I bought one of those Targus Matrix backpacks and it holds plenty of stuff in there.

[Puppy]

I use this one http://www.roirecreation.com/brands/Deu ... iga-II.php

[aaronpropst]

true, there are a a couple straps.. (which help to secure stuff when it's underfilled..) but yeah.. it's kinda on the outdoorsy side of a casual campus pack.

you can stash the hip strap within the pack. I was about to say you could remove the chest strap (as with most packs) but on closer inspection.. it looks like you'd hafta cut it off! how strange!

[kchung]

I have a Targus which works fine with me - when I bought mine, Fry's had three different models with varying numbers of pockets.

However I have to wonder about carrying a laptop with a "ton of books". If you keep the bag up right, not a big deal. But if you lay the laptop flat so the laptop is on the bottom and presumably the books in the pocket above the laptop (that's how my Targus is), you've got all that weight pressing down. The IBM lid is sturdy but I don't think I'd want a heavy, hard bound text book pressing down on my T41 laptop...

I've seen a number of laptops at work where the it looks like the keys were rubbing on the LCD display and I always wondered how that happens...

[GomJabbar]

However I have to wonder about carrying a laptop with a "ton of books". If you keep the bag up right, not a big deal. But if you lay the laptop flat so the laptop is on the bottom and presumably the books in the pocket above the laptop (that's how my Targus is), you've got all that weight pressing down. The IBM lid is sturdy but I don't think I'd want a heavy, hard bound text book pressing down on my T41 laptop...

Regarding the above, I used to have a 600E, and once I overstuffed my metal-sided briefcase (in which I kept it) a little to much. When I arrived home from a flight, I found the LCD display cracked and unusable. There was apparantly enough pressure on the lid to crack the LCD, yet the lid itself was flexible enough not to crack or break. Moral? Do not put too much pressure or weight on the lid of the laptop.

[boilermakerinatl]

Check out Booq. I have read a lot of good things about the quality of their products.

http://www.booqbags.com

[joseftu]

I am very, very, happy with my Kensington Contour Backpack http://www.kensington.com/html/4727.html. It's big, lots of pockets, and has great adjustable lowerback support (and a waist strap). It's also flat on the bottom so that if you set it down, it stands upright and doesn't topple over. It's incredibly comfortable, even when heavily loaded.

But I'm a big Kensington fan because of their customer service. This is actually my second Kensington bag. The first one (a different model) I had for a couple of years, and then one of the zippers broke. I remembered that it had a "lifetime warranty," but since I didn't have any receipt or anything, and didn't think zippers were covered in the warranty, I wasn't too optimistic.

But when I called them up and explained, they couldn't have been nicer. The fellow I spoke to told me that the model I had was discontinued, so I should look on the website and pick something that looked similar to me. I did that, and they fedex-ed it to me immediately! I had the brand new bag in my hands the next day, without paying shipping, returning the old bag, or anything. They just wanted me to be satisfied.

And you can bet I am!

The bags are great, not too expensive, and when they say "lifetime warranty," they really stand behind it.

[matthew]

I use a Dakine 101 ( www.dakine.com ) I am very happy with the quality and organization of the bag, it holds all of my books as well as the 15" thinkpad, sfbags sleeve, mouse, AC adapter, two calculators, ipod, seven DVD's, sunglasses, cell phone, keys, notebooks, pens, wallet, and is very comfortable to wear. The coolest part is the back of the pack has a large zippered pocket which holds all of the DVD's and Ipod safely. I'd encourage you to measure your stuff and get a big enough bag but not too big. There are two webbed beverage holders on each side too. Black is the best color IMHO.

After a lot of research I stacked everything that I would need to put in the bag on my kitchen table...9.75" high.

Make sure you do this to ensure the proper volume of your bag.

Oh yeah, go to gearguys.com for the best price...$64.00

Dakine makes a bigger bag with a cool rear entry sleeve called the terminal. I almost got it instead but its too big for me.

The north face was too lightweight for me and had little protection for the thinkpad.

[aaronpropst]

i used a dakine pack (created for snowboarding) as a laptop bag for a long time.. just threw the thinkpad in there, and put a small chunk of padding in the bottom of the bag (where impacts from setting it down hard are most likely) I never had a problem.. (i changed to the northface because i wanted more carrying capacity)

point being.. the thinkpad's tough.. treat it as such.. ya don't hafta treat it like an eggshell.


the 101 looks cool.. i like the organizational panels.

[Merlyn_3D]

I have a Targus which works fine with me - when I bought mine, Fry's had three different models with varying numbers of pockets.

However I have to wonder about carrying a laptop with a "ton of books". If you keep the bag up right, not a big deal. But if you lay the laptop flat so the laptop is on the bottom and presumably the books in the pocket above the laptop (that's how my Targus is), you've got all that weight pressing down. The IBM lid is sturdy but I don't think I'd want a heavy, hard bound text book pressing down on my T41 laptop...

I've seen a number of laptops at work where the it looks like the keys were rubbing on the LCD display and I always wondered how that happens...

In general it's not a good idea to carry around a backpack with a Targus label on a college campus. You become a target for thieves. I have an eastpack that I bought from ebags 4 years ago with laptop sleeve and it's put up with a lot of beating. Great thing about it is it looks just like every other backpack, so no one's the wiser.

[aaronpropst]

true.. be stealthy.. carry your thinkpad around in a padded pizza box

[STS06]

Wow, I was expecting to carry my T-model (havent ordered yet) in my regular Jansport backpack...wasn't aware of these backpacks (also ultra expensive compared to my $40 jansport). But if I pass on the carry case, I can see getting an equivalently priced backpack. I would rather just carry a backpack than a backpack and a laptop holder. So I'm assuming that my jansport will not be able to carry a 15" screen- laptop in it?

[snife]

why not get the official thinkpad backpack from targus:

clickety click

they are a great design and the quality is superb - a lifetime warranty shows the confidence in them

[CaptainMorgan]

"Offical Thinkpad Backpack" = "I have a Thinkpad here! I ain't shy to tell everyone what's inside!!"



I use the PC Port from Jansport, however I can't find it on their site.. but the FireWire is very similiar: http://www.jansport.com/js_product_thumb.php?cid=24

EDIT: Ah, here it is: http://www.epinions.com/pr-Backpacks-Ja ... _Pack_TE17

[Inky]

"Offical Thinkpad Backpack" = "I have a Thinkpad here! I ain't shy to tell everyone what's inside!!"

Being in NYC myself, I heartily agree that you might prefer to NOT broadcast the fact that you're carrying a laptop computer. (Though surely in some parts of the country it's not a problem.)

I looked at the "official" ThinkPad backpack made by Targus and luckily it looks like it doesn't have a ThinkPad or IBM logo on it. But if it has a Targus logo, experienced theives might know that Targus specializes in computer accessories. Whereas a brand like Jansport, for instance, is not specifically a computer accessory manufacturer.

Great thread. Thanks to everyone for all the useful info.

Oh, and...

I use a Dakine 101 ( www.dakine.com )

I went to Dakine.com and we had a stand off:
TO ENTER DAKINE.COM YOU WILL NEED TO UPGRADE/INSTALL THE FLASH 6 PLAYER

You MUST do as we say, or else it's GET OUT. With companies like that I always have to wonder about their priorities.

-Inky

[STS06]

JujitsuFreak:

Can either of the jansport models you listed carry at 15"-screen laptop? Also, I'm assuming that these backpacks also have JanSport's lifetime warranty? Thanks for the help.

[CaptainMorgan]

JujitsuFreak:

Can either of the jansport models you listed carry at 15"-screen laptop? Also, I'm assuming that these backpacks also have JanSport's lifetime warranty? Thanks for the help.

A place like 'ebags' used to have an option where you could enter your laptop and make and it would tell you whether your laptop fits.. unfortunately I think they removed that feature.. the PC Port DOES fit the 15" but the FireWire Bag DOES NOT- it's fits up to 14" (or as says, "comfortably": http://www.rei.com/product/47894404.htm) ... The PC Port is available at that link I posted above in my other post, and it's strange that Jansport doesn't have it on their site... Ive loaded up my bag with some heavy stuff, dragged around with me everywhere Ive gone, it's a very durable bag, so I can't forsee Jansport removing the bag due to a recall.. maybe they simply stopped making it.

[dclee012]

FYI: northface recon did not fit my 15" T42.

[aaronpropst]

i put mine in one daily.

ya hafta stretch the pouch quite a bit to get it around the extended battery.. but it fits.

[matthew]

You can see the Dakine 101 at www.gearguys.com or at www.ebags.com

gear guys has the best price...Dakine has a lifetime warranty their stuff is very robust.

What's wrong with flash 6??

Jansport's bags are also well made but I think size-wize, too small.

[Inky]

You can see the Dakine 101 at www.gearguys.com or at www.ebags.com

gear guys has the best price...Dakine has a lifetime warranty their stuff is very robust.

Thank you, I went and took a look:
http://www.gearguys.com/210001.html



What's wrong with flash 6? For internet access I use a secure setup that doesn't permit anything relying on active-X. Besides, most flash presentations are a nuisance--they just delay my efforts to get straight to the information I'm seeking. A good picture, and a detailed write-up is all I ask. I don't mind all Flash sites--just when they don't give you the option of a straightforward HTML page that bypasses the flash.

Jansport's bags are also well made but I think size-wize, too small.

I'm beginning to think the best way to get one of these might be to bring my laptop to a store that has a large selection on display and see how they fit. Thanks again,

-Inky

[CoolDragon]

I use this Wenger one: http://www.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/Vi ... 04R&depa=0

Very satisfied.

[ChrisKinsman]

http://www.tombihn.com all the way. Check out the brain bag. I have gone the REI and Tumi route and this one is my favorite. Removable inserts of different sizes and the ability to carry up to two laptops if you need that.

Very, very nice.

Chris

[Steve007]

I am looking for a backpack of high quality that can fit a lot of books, and has a dedicated laptop pouch. I was thinking of a Tumi, but the backpack I would want to 375 dollars, and I am looking to spend more along the lines of 200 dollars... so any ideas would be very helpful.

Thanks!

http://www5.pc.ibm.com/uk/products.nsf/ ... enDocument

[dexta]

I am looking for a backpack of high quality that can fit a lot of books, and has a dedicated laptop pouch. I was thinking of a Tumi, but the backpack I would want to 375 dollars, and I am looking to spend more along the lines of 200 dollars... so any ideas would be very helpful.

Thanks!

http://www5.pc.ibm.com/uk/products.nsf/ ... enDocument

I have the IBM backpack and it is perfect for holding my 14" T42 (has room for a 15"). Its a great bag, with lots of features. Def. recomend.