Sling bags that can accomodate a ThinkPad (DANGER: Pics lol)

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mr_mbuna · #1 Post by **mr_mbuna** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 1:45 pm

Hi, does anyone have a recommendation on a sling bag that can accomodate a ThinkPad T-Series 14" model?

SFbags lists the dimensions as 12.2"x10.0"x1.2". Tom Binh has a sweet sling bag but they list the dimensions of the built-in laptop sleeve as just a tad too small. At this point I think the North Face Striker is my top option.

I'm just looking for a body-hugging (I ride a motorcycle and my messenger bag flaps around too much) bag with good protection that can accomodate my laptop and, preferably, has a cell phone pocket on the strap.

Thanks!

Dead1nside · #2 Post by **Dead1nside** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:09 pm

If anyone knows a slip case type bag for my T41p 14.1'' I'd appreciate it. (Remember I'm in the UK)

#3 Post by **archer6** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:01 am

mr_mbuna wrote:Hi, does anyone have a recommendation on a sling bag that can accomodate a ThinkPad T-Series 14" model?

SFbags lists the dimensions as 12.2"x10.0"x1.2". Tom Binh has a sweet sling bag but they list the dimensions of the built-in laptop sleeve as just a tad too small. At this point I think the North Face Striker is my top option.

I'm just looking for a body-hugging (I ride a motorcycle and my messenger bag flaps around too much) bag with good protection that can accomodate my laptop and, preferably, has a cell phone pocket on the strap.

Thanks!

As a self confessing bag addict and motorcyclist, with an outrageous number of bags, I offer the following. I have every brand mentioned above and find the Waterfield Collection from SFbags the best fitting and most comfortable of all bags. They have world class service and sleeve cases to fit in any bag. These are made to very exacting standards regarding fit of your ThinkPad. No other mfg has this very precise and lengthly list of ThinkPad specific bags. I would call them and they will be absolutely certain to fit the bag to your computer.

In addition the quality of the product is absolutely fantastic. Long lasting and made of high quality materials you will not be disappointed. Please note I do not work for them, just a satisfied customer. My Tom Bihn bags simply to not live up to the standard set by Waterfield/SFbags. Regarding the North Face, while not a bad bag at first glance, they are not very strong and the stitching does not hold up very well.

Hope this helps....
Cheers...

Dead1nside · #4 Post by **Dead1nside** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:35 pm

Which Waterfield bag would you recommend. I already have a nice Thinkpad bag, to carry it around in. But if I just wanted really something to protect it, no storage or anything. And perhaps a detachable carrying strap.

Thanks.

#5 Post by **archer6** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:03 pm

Dead1nside wrote:Which Waterfield bag would you recommend. I already have a nice Thinkpad bag, to carry it around in. But if I just wanted really something to protect it, no storage or anything. And perhaps a detachable carrying strap.

Thanks.

Here is the perfect solution. Waterfield
This is exactly what I use. As you see you have a choice of ordering with or without the closing flap and the adjustable strap. The reason I had mine made with the flap is that way I can put it into a backpack or any other kind of bag and it's protected from scratches all around. Then when I just want to travel light with the laptop alone, I have the nice adjustable strap. The level of protection offered here is outstanding. The laptop fits perfectly within the case, being just a bit snug. That way there is no loose material or wrinkles.
Cheers...

Dead1nside · #6 Post by **Dead1nside** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:29 pm

They certainly do seem to make quality bags, do you have the "piggyback" too? Do you know if this is detachable?

I like the fact that they do a size that will fit my T41p with the 9-cell attached.

#7 Post by **archer6** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:13 am

Dead1nside wrote:They certainly do seem to make quality bags, do you have the "piggyback" too? Do you know if this is detachable?

I like the fact that they do a size that will fit my T41p with the 9-cell attached.

The piggyback is nice as it is easily detachable and will carry your power adapter and some other things. Thereby giving you an additional level of flexibility. Like all of their products, this one is very well thought out.

Dead1nside · #8 Post by **Dead1nside** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:33 pm

Thanks very much for answering all those questions for me. Even though with shipping it'll be about £65 (fully featured), I think it'll be worth it. Many thanks.

mr_mbuna · #9 Post by **mr_mbuna** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 11:05 am

I ended up buying two parts. First, I bought the SFBags/WaterField SleeveCase with D-rings (no strap, I have extras), horizontal orientation and a flap. I don't plan on using it as a stand-alone bag but I got the minimum options to do so in the future if I want. I also picked up a sling bag from REI - the REI Singular Sling 2.0.

The SFbags SleeveCase wasn't really what I was asking for - I wanted a sling bag, which is a body-hugging single-strap pack like you see pictured. The SleeveCase more resembles a messenger bag, which I already had and would get in the way of my biking. But the SleeveCase is also designed as a laptop sleeve to go inside other bags, which is how I'm using it.

The REI sling bag is one of the few bags large enough to accomodate a 14" laptop. It has all the other features I wanted too - and then some. Cell phone pocket, MP3 player pocket, waterproof zippers, integrated pouch for 12" laptop or papers in main compartment, main compartment large enough for 14" laptop, organizer pocket and stabilizer strap. Good times.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Note from Moderator: Don't post images without a warning in the subject line.

Dead1nside · #10 Post by **Dead1nside** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:00 pm

I'm going to get the same sleeve for my 9-cell T41p 14.1'', I'm looking for a rucksack that's got an mp3 player pocket and can accomodate a good few textbooks/school papers.

Must be available in the UK. Any ideas anyone?

mr_mbuna · #11 Post by **mr_mbuna** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:15 pm

I should actually mention that, after trying, the laptop pocket on the REI Singular Sling 2.0 does accomodate an IBM T42 14.1" 9-cell. It's a perfect, snug fit!

Dead1nside · #12 Post by **Dead1nside** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:17 pm

Thanks for that added info, I just prefer rucksacks to sling bags.

truthiness · #13 Post by **truthiness** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:39 pm

I just bought the Lenovo messenger bag for my z60m and the notebook pocket is a perfect fit and it's very well built. Good suspension as well as the only point of direct pressure against a bag wall is between the user and the bag. bottom is an inch off the bottom of the bag and an inch from outside. Very good design IMHO. And... it was only $20 bucks during the recent sale. Very good deal.

Dead1nside · #14 Post by **Dead1nside** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 8:22 pm

Well I currently use the Targus made IBM Thinkpad Organiser Case,

It is very sturdy and can hold a lot, the quality is really something. However, it's so [censored] heavy and the weight distribution is all wrong. Carrying textbooks and the laptop at the same time is murder to my back.

claudeo · #15 Post by **claudeo** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 12:34 am

I have used the same $75 Trager case for my 14" ThinkPads (600, T21, T42, T60) after disastrous accidents with Targus cases (if not zipped completely, the zipper opens at the worst possible moments, like while running across a parking lot). If necessary it can be as compact as a sleeve with about the same level of protection, and it is *extremely* light in spite of the metal hardware. It's a perfect fit for the computer, gives reasonable protection (nice extra pad on the bottom), and also fits in many other bags. For example, when filled with the ThinkPad, power supply, lock, a couple spare blank CDs, etc. it still fits horizontally on top of my rolled up REI storm parka in a cheap nondescript JanSport backpack, with all the room available for other stuff in the "front" pockets. I have carried it in all kinds of "cheap looking" bags (sling bag, backpack, sling bag) and it is neat looking enough to put down on the table in a business meeting.

Sling bags that can accomodate a ThinkPad (DANGER: Pics lol)

Sling bags that can accomodate a ThinkPad (DANGER: Pics lol)

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