What's the best Thinkpad Sleeve/Case?

Message

2112 · #31 Post by **2112** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 6:24 pm

Yes, the Powersleeve14 fits the 14.1"...I have the 2373-KTU with the 9 cell...and it feels like it was made for it!

Plinkerton · #32 Post by **Plinkerton** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 2:47 pm

I just got the Powersleeve, and it's a great case. I recommend it.

rhema83 · #33 Post by **rhema83** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 10:38 pm

Anybody uses the Targus slip case? It's pretty inexpensive ($29.99) and looks decent. I am debating whether to get the Targus or the PowerSleeve. I usually carry my laptop in my backpack, without any accessory. If I have to bring accessories, I just bring my full-blown laptop case.

Paul Unger · #34 Post by **Paul Unger** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:00 pm

If I can weigh in here . . . Is there anything waterproof out there other than the Pelican line? I work in the South Pacific and often travel over open water . . . but the Pelicans are kind of bulky (I have a 1490 model--their smallest for computers). Anyone with experience with waterproof cases would be nice to hear from.

dpb · #35 Post by **dpb** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 7:04 pm

Ask yourself, are you feeling lucky? What's the chance when you drop your Thinkpad that it WON"T land on a corner? I find most sleeves/bags to be designed for drops straight down from an upright position--all the padding is at the bottom. For example, Tom Binh bags have virtually no padding across the top of the computer and even the much-liked ZeroShock has little or no padding around the zippered sides. To see what I mean, grip a computer-stuffed sleeve on both edges or the top and bottom and press in toward the edge of the computer. You won't feel much padding except on the bottom. And the practice of some manufacturers of creating a sling for the computer suspended from stiff sidewalls also depends on impact coming straight up from the bottom. I'm really unimpressed with the engineering of all the sleeves and bags I've seen. It seems the only design effort is seeing how many useless pockets can be permanently sewn into them. I'll certainly post when I find a good one.

A word about the ZeroShock. I bought one and it's nice for using inside another bag as an extra layer of foam because it's pretty slim and uses a nice medium-density memory foam. It's weird to pick one up with a computer in it--your fingers sink slowly into the foam and right down to the computer. But on impact, I suspect it's pretty stiff, at least where there's a decent layer of foam. It's certainly handsome and I don't regret owning it, but it's not enough protection by itself, IMO.

rhema83 · #36 Post by **rhema83** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:42 pm

Tom Bihn Monolith or Booq PowerSleeve for my T42? I can't decide!

Plinkerton · #37 Post by **Plinkerton** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:19 am

I was in the same place as you Rhema. The reason I ended up taking the Powersleeve was because, it seems the Monolith will do it's best shock protection when dropped straight down, which is probably unlikely to happen.
The only chance of hurting my T42 will happen when I have it in my backpack, and am skating across campus. A "well" placed rock would send me flying. So, I figured because of this, the extra protection probably wouldn't help a lot.

The second thing was that some one said for sure, that the Powersleeve will hold the powersupply cord thingie. That was definitely important to me. I'm not sure if the Monolith will.

So, I got the powersleeve.

rhema83 · #38 Post by **rhema83** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:50 am

Plinkerton wrote:I was in the same place as you Rhema. The reason I ended up taking the Powersleeve was because, it seems the Monolith will do it's best shock protection when dropped straight down, which is probably unlikely to happen.
The only chance of hurting my T42 will happen when I have it in my backpack, and am skating across campus. A "well" placed rock would send me flying. So, I figured because of this, the extra protection probably wouldn't help a lot.

The second thing was that some one said for sure, that the Powersleeve will hold the powersupply cord thingie. That was definitely important to me. I'm not sure if the Monolith will.

So, I got the powersleeve.

You sure the PowerSleeve will hold the power brick? I don't really think so, considering its small form factor. However, I am looking for something really minimalist and petite.

Ordered a PowerSleeve 14. Finally.

Tiger · #39 Post by **Tiger** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:13 am

Think these sleeves from caselogic may be what some people are looking for if they want to protect their Thinkpads. http://www.casedirect.com/product_list. ... 11&menu=02

RCube · #40 Post by **RCube** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:38 pm

Sporting my powersleeve 14 for the first time at school today. It is sweet! Very good fit.

Plinkerton · #41 Post by **Plinkerton** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 6:20 pm

Rhema, it will 100% hold the powerbrick. It bulges, but it's easy to get in the front pocket. I have tried it.

SCURaja · #42 Post by **SCURaja** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:22 pm

i went ahead and bought a booq bp3 system..for my 15' t42..i love the powersleeve..got the 14 size..but the bagpack...i dunno if its worth the money...still using it..we'll see..

rocketman · #43 Post by **rocketman** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:27 pm

I'm partial to Waterfield Designs products. They have some great sleeves:
http://www.sfbags.com/

iriverconvert · #44 Post by **iriverconvert** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 2:33 am

Hey all. I am seriously considering the Spireusa.com Meta bag. It comes with your choice of Boot too, which apparently is a specialized sleevecase for your laptop. It is quite expensive too, and some colors aren't available for immediate shipping due to high demand. Has anyone had any experience with these bags? I like the padded middle compartment and the space. I need to carry lots of books in this in addition to my laptop.

I originally looked at every manufacturer mentioned on this site, and it's between the spireusa bags and booq. I don't know if the booqs will hold enough though, and it's even more expensive than the spire bags...

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

fschwep · #45 Post by **fschwep** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:58 am

mdarnton wrote:I suppose it depends on what you want to carry, and what else you have. I always carry a big bag anyway, so I got a $20 CaseLogic sleeve--nothing to it, just a neoprene pocket with a zipper on the long side--and it's fine in my regular bag. Then when I go on the road, I slip that and the computer into a real computer bag I got at RadioShack for $20, also. That one has a pocket on the outside for "stuff". It's sort of cheap looking, but the two together give lots of padding, and I usually try to follow the photographers' rule of not carrying my gear in a fancy case that's got "STEAL ME" written all over it in big red letters.

I could not agree more. I carry my laptop in a cheap Lowe Alpine sleeve that I found in a dark corner of an outdoor shop, and this goes into an old, shabby looking but quite strong Tenba Traveller 415 shoulder bag. The 415 is originally a photo bag, I just took out the insert for a camera and lenses and replaced it with the laptop sleeve. These days, Tenba still sell the 415 model and the slightly larger 416 which already has a laptop insert.
The clincher is not to carry anything that clearly states 'laptop' by looking like a briefcase, or by sporting a computer brand or one of the typical pc bag manufacturers.
The Tenbas are quite comfortable to carry, as I can confirm after having used my 415 for about a decade with cameras, a T340, then a TP A22m (which only just fit) and now a 14 inch T42. I added a piece of closed-cell foam to the bottom of the bag, btw, to ensure extra strong padding (the sleeve is already padded all round). As the sleeve has its own handle and basic shoulder strap, I can also use it to carry the laptop around in an office environment if the need arises, or to shove it under a car seat where the larger Tenba would not fit.

MommyT · #46 Post by **MommyT** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:45 am

The Shinza.com Zeroshock looks like a great case, but the medium size looks like it might be a little large for my T42p 14.1" screen, high capacity battery sticking out from back. Has anyone used this bag for this machine? Thanks

I get Taurens · #47 Post by **I get Taurens** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 4:19 am

anyone wants an eye-catching bag? ACMEMADE is the **best** I have ever seen. You just got to be a bit more careful carrying it around: little 2 attractive : )

DavidNZ · #48 Post by **DavidNZ** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 4:22 am

I get Taurens wrote:anyone wants an eye-catching bag? ACMEMADE is the **best** I have ever seen. You just got to be a bit more careful carrying it around: little 2 attractive : )

My eyes! My eyes!

I get Taurens · #49 Post by **I get Taurens** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 12:47 pm

DavidNZ wrote:
I get Taurens wrote:anyone wants an eye-catching bag? ACMEMADE is the **best** I have ever seen. You just got to be a bit more careful carrying it around: little 2 attractive : )
My eyes! My eyes!

LOL, if you already have symptoms described above, or not deadly artistic, go for bags, it's probaly safer.

dpb · #50 Post by **dpb** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 4:09 pm

MommyT:

The Zeroshock is only a tiny bit loose for a T42p w/9-cell. It's not glove tight, but it's good enough. The 9-cell battery causes problems for most of the sleeves on the market. For instance, when I bought my Tom Binh Empire Builder bag recently, I skipped getting the Brain Cell, which is designed to clip into the Empire Builder, because there wasn't one that would fit it unless I used one that was too big. So I just put my T42 into a Zeroshock and put that into the bag.

gzaector · #51 Post by **gzaector** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 1:08 pm

iriverconvert wrote:Hey all. I am seriously considering the Spireusa.com Meta bag. It comes with your choice of Boot too, which apparently is a specialized sleevecase for your laptop. It is quite expensive too, and some colors aren't available for immediate shipping due to high demand. Has anyone had any experience with these bags? I like the padded middle compartment and the space. I need to carry lots of books in this in addition to my laptop.

I originally looked at every manufacturer mentioned on this site, and it's between the spireusa bags and booq. I don't know if the booqs will hold enough though, and it's even more expensive than the spire bags...

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I have a Spire Boot for mt T22, and I love it. It has a little pocket on the back, which I carry cat5 around in.

I just pop my thinkpad into the boot and then into my regular backpack, and even with all my school books and stuff, my laptop stays safe.

-gz

doylnea · #52 Post by **doylnea** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 12:26 am

It's nearly Christmas time and I'm just getting around to making a list.

I'd like a minimalistic neoprene sleeve only for a 14.1" T41 with standard 6 cell battery. It would be great if the sleeve fit tight ans snug. I plan to merely wrap up my T41 and put it in my original Timbuk2 bag and carry it to and from home. The powerbrick does not have to fit in the sleeve, and I'd prefer if it didn't.

The most important thing to me is snugness of the fit, followed by protection.

Are the Shinza's the best bet for something like that?

MommyT · #53 Post by **MommyT** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 1:27 am

i got the shinza. with the 14" t42p- 9cell battery, it is not glove tight- imagine it would be less so with the smaller battery. but it seems secure enough for putting inside another case. and its light and cool feeling. i like it

brewt · #54 Post by **brewt** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:38 am

doylnea wrote:The most important thing to me is snugness of the fit, followed by protection.

Are the Shinza's the best bet for something like that?

Then the Waterfield SleeveCase is probably for you. For the vertical orientation, the size 6 is perfect, but it looks like they've updated their sizes, so you'll need to look at the updated sizings.

lfeagan · #55 Post by **lfeagan** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 8:57 am

Yeah, I got a size 5 for my horizontal case and it is an absolutely snug fit. It couldn't be any more snug without being about impossible to remove.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... field+size

doylnea · #56 Post by **doylnea** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:34 am

brewt wrote:
doylnea wrote:The most important thing to me is snugness of the fit, followed by protection.

Are the Shinza's the best bet for something like that?
Then the Waterfield SleeveCase is probably for you. For the vertical orientation, the size 6 is perfect, but it looks like they've updated their sizes, so you'll need to look at the updated sizings.

Thanks for the suggestion. It looks like the 14 is the correct size for me. I'll email Gary and confirm that though.

Thanks again.

doylnea · #57 Post by **doylnea** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:50 am

lfeagan wrote:Yeah, I got a size 5 for my horizontal case and it is an absolutely snug fit. It couldn't be any more snug without being about impossible to remove.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... field+size

Awesome review. I think I'll get the horizontal size 14 and should be very happy.

I'm wondering whether skipping the ballistic flap is worth it though. The picture linked on their website seems to show that the sleeve is open on top without the flap. I wonder if that's such a good idea.

http://www.sfbags.com/products/sleeveca ... tail_2.jpg

Not sure I'll ever carry the sleeve on it's own (ie: not in my timbuk2), but I think having the option with the D-rings would be a nice touch too.

Hmm. That's a $77 sleeve. Might be more than I'm looking to spend, even when asking for it as a Christmas gift.

brewt · #58 Post by **brewt** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 1:06 pm

doylnea wrote:I'm wondering whether skipping the ballistic flap is worth it though. The picture linked on their website seems to show that the sleeve is open on top without the flap. I wonder if that's such a good idea.

http://www.sfbags.com/products/sleeveca ... tail_2.jpg

Not sure I'll ever carry the sleeve on it's own (ie: not in my timbuk2), but I think having the option with the D-rings would be a nice touch too.

Hmm. That's a $77 sleeve. Might be more than I'm looking to spend, even when asking for it as a Christmas gift.

If you're carrying it in your backpack like me, then you'll want to get the vertical orientation. My old SleeveCase that I got for my Fujitsu fit like that picture (with the opening). It meant that it was easier to pull out of my backpack since I had something to grab onto. With my new SleeveCase for my 14" T42, it's longer vertically, so it closes up. Now I have to squeeze on the top and bottom to pull it out, but it gives a tiny bit more protection. I myself got the most basic SleeveCase both times since I rarely carry it around by itself.

doylnea · #59 Post by **doylnea** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:54 pm

brewt wrote:If you're carrying it in your backpack like me, then you'll want to get the vertical orientation. My old SleeveCase that I got for my Fujitsu fit like that picture (with the opening). It meant that it was easier to pull out of my backpack since I had something to grab onto. With my new SleeveCase for my 14" T42, it's longer vertically, so it closes up. Now I have to squeeze on the top and bottom to pull it out, but it gives a tiny bit more protection. I myself got the most basic SleeveCase both times since I rarely carry it around by itself.

I'll be carrying mine in a messenger bag that I've had for 10 years, so I think the horizontal one would be better for me. Did you find that you missed having the flap on the top when it was in your bag?

Jeffats · #60 Post by **Jeffats** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:11 pm

I bought the travelpro sleeve and it seems to work great and cost me only $29.

What's the best Thinkpad Sleeve/Case?

Spireusa Meta Bag and Boot

Sleeves and bags

Re: Spireusa Meta Bag and Boot

Sleeve for 15 in T42p

Who is online