Laptop Backpacks, Need Opinions

[DickNervous]

I am looking for a new laptop bag, and thinking that a backpack would be the way to go. After some searching the net I found the following that seem like good candidates. I would like to know if anyone has expereince with any of them, or has a better suggestion.

The backpack has to be large enough to hold a 17" laptop (planning for the future), power adapter, external HDD with power, iPod, headphones, book, pads, assorted little things, etc. I travel quite a bit for work and always need to tkae my laptop. Many times the trips are 1 or 2 nights, so it would be nice to find one that could carry a change or two of clothes, but that is not necessary. Look at these that I picked out and you will get an idea.

Booq Python XL (http://www.pivotgear.com/products/backpacks/booq/python-xl-ballistic-nylon-black) - the most expensive coming in at $200
Slappa Bulkhead 4:1 (http://www.slappa.com/site/bulkhead4.html) $180
Targus 17" XL (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0373970) - about $80
Swiss Gear Pegasus (http://www.buy.com/prod/pegasus_17_computer_backpack_by_wenger_r_maker_of_ the_genuine_swiss_army_knife_tm_/q/loc/16895/PageFormat/40/imgNum/1/202719436.html#moreimg) - also about $80

Any and all comments are welcome. :D

[vegas]

check this out two guys i play cs with use these pretty darn big
http://www.jinx.com/scripts/details.asp?affid=-1&productID=303

a little off topic but
where do you work that you need a change of clothes

[kurabii]

im a big swiss back pack kinda guy. i love the damn thing its confortable and damn near packs everything i use.

mine - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6563747&type=product&id=1077630480948

my brothers - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6564611&type=product&id=1077630481064

hope that helps in your search bro
ESA

[fivecheebs]

I really like the look of the first one, and if your going to be using it a lot its probably worth spending the extra. Maybe look for some user reviews?

[kazuo]

Hmm, does it have to be an backpack? Personally I prefer messenger bags, so you might wanna have a look at timbuk2 (http://www.timbuk2.com)

[mnpctech]

Was a water bottle holder in your criteria (http://i23.ebayimg.com/05/i/07/7f/4d/49_1.JPG) Dick? ;-)

I'm with cheebs, #1 :thumb:

[fivecheebs]

^^ :lol:

[DickNervous]

Vegas: I am a consultant and frequently (a few times a month) need to do overnight trips. I figured it would be nice to be able to get everything in one bag. And while that Jinx bag is nice, I'm thinking the little skull logo (which is right up my alley) is a little to non-corporate. ;)

Kurabii: Those are both nice, but only hold up to 15.4" screen notebooks. WHile that would work for the one I have at the moment (Dell Lattitude D610) I am planning on getting a bigger one soon.

Kazou: I'm a big guy and in the past, those types of bags simply don't fit me right. Though I will take a look.

fivecheebs: Yeah, booq is real nice. I saw a guy on the subway today on the way home with a booq bag, not the Python, but one of the smaller ones, and asked him what he thought. He loved it. Said the quality was top notch and well worth every penny. That goes a long way to making that $200 easier to swallow. I also talked to someone from Booq today to ask if they had a retailer here in NY. Very, very nice lady. Even asked if I knew of any independent retailers in the NY area that might be interested in carrying their bags since they only have one. I suggested J&R and B&H. :)

Bill: Nice. Real Nice. I like it alot. Is that the same one you had growing up? :D

[Fibbles]

I was going to reccomend the same as Kazuo: http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/retail/catalog.htm?categoryId=2

I bought a custom messenger and love it, but it's not for carrying a computer.

Of the ones you listed, it's the Booq Python XL all the way!

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

My crumpler bag has been excellent and it doesnt look like a laptop bag either.

[walkitiki]

I rock the Oakley Icon Backpack 2.0 (http://oakley.com/o/o1258d) and it holds my computer and all my books when I'm going to class, the thing is massive!

Oakley also has a line of computer bags as well. The quality has been great, its really professional material like the kind I have on my framepack and has loads of room.

I don't know how well a 17" laptop would fit in the little sleeve in the Icon, but the Kitchen Sink Pack (http://oakley.com/o/o3088d) claims it can. You can also pop down to an Oakley retail store and I'm sure you could check it out.

[DickNervous]

While I had pretty much decided that the Booq was the best bag of the three, I was having a hard time justifying $200 for a backpak. While I was still trying to convince myself I received a coupon and a gift card for Best Buy, whihc carries the Targus. So after a quick calculation that told me the Targux XL would cost me about $50 at Best Buy, it became an easy decision.

So I went last Sat to BB and checked the bag out. It is HUGE. My Dell Lattiduce D610 that my job gave me disappears into the padded slot in the back packet (I have an E1705 that I bought coming next week) and still leaves plenty of room for power supplies, USB drives, and whatever else.

Then there is another HUGE zippered section that is for books, papers, magazines which has a divider in it. This section could easily hold a full 4-class day of college textbooks and not break a sweat.

There is yet another full size zippered section that you could put stuff in. By now I am running out of things to think you would put in there. I will probably use it when I do overnight travel for my change of clothes and toiletries.

There are two mesh pockets in the front that are under the flap that has 3 smaller pockets, including one with padded sections for an MP3 player and handheld device. Then there is a small pocket on one side and water bottle holder on the other. Finally, a snap on holder for a cell phone is on the strap, though it is big enough for an iPod as well.

The shoulder straps are easy to adjust and pretty comfortable once you get them adjusted properly. The back has plenty of padding and there is even a belt for when you are carrying a real heavy load.

This thing is the perfect bag for people who go to LAN parties. It is easily big enough to hold a keyboard, mouse, mouse pad, power strip, a ton of CD/DVDs, all your cables, and you would probably still have room for at least a 12 pack of your favorite beverage.

I will try to find some time to take soem pics of it this weekend so you can really appreciate just how huge it is, the pictures on the Targus website don't do it justice in that department. Overall I am pretty happy with it so far and even at it's list price it is still a very good deal.

[lbreevesii]

for the money i think the ogio bag is hard to beat. I bought one myself last fall. I'm packing my 17" toshiba, iriver, ocassionally an external hdd, tons of books, power adapter, inverter, and god knows what else. After a year of use it still looks brand new. :wiz: