Good Laptop Bag Recommendations

[AABCDS]

So I currently have the Oakley SI laptop bag but I need more room. I'll be starting a new position with my company soon and will be walking one mile to and from work so I'm leaning towards a backpack. I've been looking at the Everki Concept Premium laptop backpack. I love all the pockets and it seems it has a lot of room but am turned off by the $295.00 pricetag. Anyone have any recommendations for a good laptop bag?

Oakley SI laptop bag shown below

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Everki Concept Premium laptop backpack shown below

 

[shavefreak]

Depending on your company you might be taken more seriously with a non backpack bag. A backpack in a corporate environment screams young, inexperienced, and not very refined. If you are in a young upstart company then it might be the way to go A classy messenger bag or even a rolling messenger bag that quickly converts to shoulder might be something. I have the Alienware mx14 and the bag for it is really amazing, I am still finding pockets. One thing missed is an MP3 headphone wire through hole (weather protected_ on the front so you can have an ipod in the case.

 

[shavefreak]

 

[AABCDS]

Depending on your company you might be taken more seriously with a non backpack bag. A backpack in a corporate environment screams young, inexperienced, and not very refined. If you are in a young upstart company then it might be the way to go A classy messenger bag or even a rolling messenger bag that quickly converts to shoulder might be something. I have the Alienware mx14 and the bag for it is really amazing, I am still finding pockets. One thing missed is an MP3 headphone wire through hole (weather protected_ on the front so you can have an ipod in the case.
...

Thanks for the recommendation. Our CIO wears a backpack so I think I'll be ok with a backpack. I'll take a look at the Alienware series.

 

[StillShaving]

That Everki Concept is about the nicest laptop/work bag I have ever seen. If the laptop pad compartment is removable then it would also function as good airplane/train/bus vacation travel bag. But I also balk at the price. I should not bother posting, as I don't have any good alternate recommendations to make, other than I believe one can find a bag almost as functional for less than 1/3 the price. I think you are on the right track, getting a non-flashy backpack for the daily walk.

 

[Darkbulb]

Anything by Timbuk2. Love their products. http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/

And right now they have a 25% sale!

 

[AABCDS]

So I ended up purchasing the Samsonite Tectonic PFT 17" Backpack for $51.29 and the OGIO Renegade RSS Pack for $149.99 to try out. Hopefully, I'll end up liking one of them.

Samsonite Tectonic PFT 17" Backpack bag shown below

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OGIO Renegade RSS Pack shown below

 

[TheRoamingGastroGnome]

I really like my Swiss Gear laptop backpack. Lots of room and works great for the office, can get it on Amazon for half price, $60. Has a space for the laptop and two other pockets for notepads, plus two smaller ones on the front. Makes a great get-out-of-town weekend bag too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FN5DJA/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[airmech]

Tom Bihn! http://www.tombihn.com/CTGY/laptop_bags.html . Not affiliated just a satisfied customer!

Tom

 

[AABCDS]

Well, I got the Samsonite Tectonic PFT 17" Backpack and the OGIO Renegade RSS Pack and didn't like either one. I'm about to bite the bullet and try the Everki. If I don't like it, it'll cost me ~$30.00 altogether since I'll also have to pay for return shipping and the original shipping charge.

 

[StillShaving]

Were those not the right size or not right pocket storage arrangement? I would have probably latched onto that Samsonite Tectonic PFT based on price alone. But a quality bag will last for years or a decade+ so getting the proper one is worthwhile.

If you don't like any of those and have a vision of what want you could consider a custom bag, something like this Custom Backpack - Made by John Shaffer. I have no idea about his work or reputation, but appears he will make whatever you like. I would like one, but even I don't know how my ideal bag should be configured.
.

 

[AABCDS]

Both. They both were smaller than I liked and neither had a water bottle pocket on the outside. Maybe I'm just being too picky.

 

[bilkay]

Timbuk 2

 

[AABCDS]

I ordered the Everki Concept to try out. Hopefully, it'll the perfect bag.

 

[Eeyore]

I have used the same Targus laptop backpack for the latest 12 years. It's been with me on the motorbike, on airports all over Europe, on trains, and wherever my work brought me.

It is showing its age by now, but I have become attached to it. So I am only going to replace it when it literally starts to fall apart.

(It even survived a motorcycle crash, with only some cosmetic damage ... it's a tough one! )

 

[AABCDS]

Received the Everki Concept laptop backpack today. It's good, just not $295.00 good. I'm going to use a backpack that I already had, an older version of the Camelbak BFM 500. It works just as well and saves me $295.00 which I'm going to put towards the B&B 2014 LE straight.

 

[StillShaving]

Good discipline, to not bite unless you found the right match.

My daily bag is holding up well, but you have given me a couple of good ideas to consider for a travel bag.

 

[AABCDS]

Good discipline, to not bite unless you found the right match.

My daily bag is holding up well, but you have given me a couple of good ideas to consider for a travel bag.

I keep going back and forth on whether to keep it or not. Pretty much the only thing I didn't like was the size of the side pockets; I wish they were bigger. My Camelbak water bottle and my umbrella stick out a lot. I'm not sure if that's what the designers meant but I don't like it. The outer side pockets of my Camelbak BFM 500 are large enough that they completely zip around the water bottle and umbrella.

I guess I've been spoiled by military bags that have lots of large, big pockets. I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier but Maxpedition has quite a few bags.

 

[StillShaving]

Thanks for pointing out those Maxpedition bags. I am not sold on the styling yet, but backpacks like the Gearslinger among others are interesting, and look to have extra compartments that might function well as a travel bag. I don't quite understand why most of their packs have those nylon loops stitched into the pack? Whether the main purpose of that is to add strength to the underlying fabric case, or provide extra places to hook on other gear or what? But these are ones that I will give a second look.

 

[AABCDS]

Thanks for pointing out those Maxpedition bags. I am not sold on the styling yet, but backpacks like the Gearslinger among others are interesting, and look to have extra compartments that might function well as a travel bag. I don't quite understand why most of their packs have those nylon loops stitched into the pack? Whether the main purpose of that is to add strength to the underlying fabric case, or provide extra places to hook on other gear or what? But these are ones that I will give a second look.

It's to provide extra places to hook on other modular pieces. It's called the Pouch Attachment Ladder System or more commonly known as PALS.

Here's another example of how PALS webbing is used to attach secondary pouches to the main pack.

In addition to the secondary pack, you may need MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) straps to attach the secondary pouch to the main pack. Here's a video on demonstrating how to properly weave two things together. In this video, the secondary pouch already has MOLLE straps so additional ones are not needed.

Here's a link to the video if the embedding feature does not work now or in the future: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA6lpgApF0c

The use of PALS webbing and weaving results in a very secure fit. I used to weave incorrectly and after weaved my pouches correctly, they were very snug.