College students, which backpack?

[Haqq]

Hey.

Just purchased my first MACBOOK. I am currently a college student and I need a backpack... not just any backpack one that has a slot for my macbook and and books.

Got any suggestions? Thanks!

[elpenguino]

I know several people who really like their incase backpacks. To me they look pretty sturdy. I know you can get them on the Apple site, but you probably could pick one up cheaper on eBay or Craigslist.

[JoeDRC]

I've got a LArobe be.ez sleeve for my MB

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TJ653ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MTgwOTkx

Which I slip inside my bag,

https://www.hiccupgifts.com/detail.asp/sku=DUNLOPGREENFLASHNEW

Plenty of room for books etc.

I don't study anymore, but I still take my MB with me almost everywhere

[Heavenkittykat]

hey just wondering... are you an incoming freshman or are you a continuing college student? It's just a bit odd because you mentioned books to be carried in your backpack.

[Haqq]

Freshmen!

[Heavenkittykat]

Freshmen!


Oh okay. Welcome to college!!! By the way, just so you know college students don't really bring their textbooks with them because it's not really needed in class (unless specified by the teacher). Most students only bring their pens and notebooks with them in class plus some personal materials like phone and wallet. If you are taking notes with your macbook instead of using pen and paper you might not even need paper notebooks like other students. So, on a regular day in school you might only need to bring your laptop, pens and other personal materials with you. Honestly it not that much and you might find yourself not needing a backpack with lots of compartments.

[munson]

Oh okay. Welcome to college!!! By the way, just so you know college students don't really bring their textbooks with them because it's not really needed in class (unless specified by the teacher). Most students only bring their pens and notebooks with them in class plus some personal materials like phone and wallet. If you are taking notes with your macbook instead of using pen and paper you might not even need paper notebooks like other students. So, on a regular day in school you might only need to bring your laptop, pens and other personal materials with you. Honestly it not that much and you might find yourself not needing a backpack with lots of compartments.

Agreed. You could be like every other college student and just buy a messenger bag.

[boiledsoup]

I'm a incoming freshman and I bought a timbuk2 commuter messenger bag
it should be perfect for your macbook and books
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/messenger/messenger-laptop/

[Beric]

I have an LL Bean book pack, with an Incase sleeve that slips right in one of the sections and protects my Macbook from being crushed by my 10-lb. Calculus book. I ride my bicycle to school, and trust my sleeve and backpack completely.

[bstreiff]

Former college student, but I still carry around a Targus laptop backpack-- there's a built-in sleeve for a laptop. It is not, however, particularly waterproof, so I have an 'anti-environment bag' constructed from two ziplock bags and duct tape that I used with my old Sony Vaio (and which conveniently is also the right size for the Macbook I carry now).

The only trouble with it, I found, was that there were a lot of other people with the same backpack, which could mean two things:
* Confusion between your bag and someone else's.
* Everyone knows you have a laptop backpack... which might contain a laptop.
Neither became a problem for me.

[munson]

I have an LL Bean book pack, with an Incase sleeve that slips right in one of the sections and protects my Macbook from being crushed by my 10-lb. Calculus book. I ride my bicycle to school, and trust my sleeve and backpack completely.

I <3 L.L. Bean, being from Maine and all

Former college student, but I still carry around a Targus laptop backpack-- there's a built-in sleeve for a laptop. It is not, however, particularly waterproof, so I have an 'anti-environment bag' constructed from two ziplock bags and duct tape that I used with my old Sony Vaio (and which conveniently is also the right size for the Macbook I carry now).

The only trouble with it, I found, was that there were a lot of other people with the same backpack, which could mean two things:
* Confusion between your bag and someone else's.
* Everyone knows you have a laptop backpack... which might contain a laptop.
Neither became a problem for me.

That could be a problem depending on where you go to school, and to how careful you are.

So, protip: Don't be stupid.

[DjAmTraX]

These are the BEST IMO. They are NOT cheap.
http://www.goincase.com/products/category/MacBook

[bassproguy07]

i like anything dakine, i have an interval no laptop slot but they do make backpacks with them.

[Kirjava444]

By the way, just so you know college students don't really bring their textbooks with them because it's not really needed in class (unless specified by the teacher).

Not necessarily true - I'm currently in my third year of college and my instructors sometimes ask us to use our textbooks during class (with no forewarning beforehand that we will need them). That said, I find that backpacks cause a lot of problems for my neck and back. I just use a regular laptop shoulder bag for my PowerBook and use my arms to carry whichever books I need with me to class.

[Beric]

I <3 L.L. Bean, being from Maine and all

Yeah, they're great. Good quality products that last. :) I live in Cali though, which is as far (on the mainland) from Maine as you can get. ;)

[iJiten]

I have The North Face Borealis and I love it.

[danimal99]

I use a Belkin Sling Bag like this one here:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=375643

The sling design distributes weight really well, and the laptop pouch inside also has this 1/2" thick or so plush cushion that can be removed, or left in to protect your laptop from any other stuff you have in there. My 14" Acer notebook sits snugly in it, and feels very safe and secure.

It has lots of little pockets on the inside for misc. assorted stuff, a couple of pen holders, a special pocket for your ipod with an outlet for your headphones, etc. On the very padded strap on the front, it has a good quick-release connector, and a little zippered pouch for your cellphone. I got it for $39 at Wal Mart.

One other thing I also got for at home, is this Belkin Cushtop thing:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=381157
It's flippin' awesome, no more hot laptop in your lap. Looks ridiculous, works like a dream. Also found it at Wal Mart, $20.

[Chris Rogers]

I use a Belkin Sling Bag like this one here:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=375643

The sling design distributes weight really well, and the laptop pouch inside also has this 1/2" thick or so plush cushion that can be removed, or left in to protect your laptop from any other stuff you have in there. My 14" Acer notebook sits snugly in it, and feels very safe and secure.

It has lots of little pockets on the inside for misc. assorted stuff, a couple of pen holders, a special pocket for your ipod with an outlet for your headphones, etc. On the very padded strap on the front, it has a good quick-release connector, and a little zippered pouch for your cellphone. I got it for $39 at Wal Mart.



+1

Amazon $29.00 + like $5 for shipping

:apple:

[ttech10]

The color probably won't work for you but I have this one:

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0051329518050a.shtml

It holds everything I need, though that's usually just my MacBook (has it's own slot inside) the syllabus for each class, notebook (for the class I don't use the laptop) and a book or two. It's pretty comfortable and can hold a lot of books along with the laptop so you shouldn't have any problems with it. Me and a few friends here have it (or ones like it) and love it.

[iRebecca27]

PLEASE do not put your macbook in a laptop backpack.

The pressure affects the screen, and the sensitive optical drive will caput.

trust me, this happened to my poor Olga [my white macbook- my baby]

use another shoulder-strap bag, like this one
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR031LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MzIwODM0&p=2&s=topSellers
[i own this one, love it. ehough space for the cords, ipod usb, and fuzzy inside]

if you must get a backpack, here
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR034LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=OTgwOTYx&p=1&s=topSellers

[Haqq]

Woww!! Thanks so much for all the replies, I love this place.

Those are some really niice bags the sling one looks great but I'm more of a shoulder backpack guy :confused:

That Incase one from apple store looks great... is there a pic of this in black?

Or does someone have a place I can get it cheaper.

[mademan118]

There are plenty of things you can do to prevent this from happening. For instance I use the North Face Surge which has a thick padding between the notebook slot and the book slot, and use the incase slim sleeve (polyurethane based) and have no problems with compression.

PLEASE do not put your macbook in a laptop backpack.

The pressure affects the screen, and the sensitive optical drive will caput.

trust me, this happened to my poor Olga [my white macbook- my baby]

use another shoulder-strap bag, like this one
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR031LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MzIwODM0&p=2&s=topSellers
[i own this one, love it. ehough space for the cords, ipod usb, and fuzzy inside]

if you must get a backpack, here
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR034LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=OTgwOTYx&p=1&s=topSellers

[Haqq]

Okay I decided to go with the Inlace one... mainly looks haha but it seems like it has a good reputation... I will post on my thoughts once it arrives.

Thanks for all the help!

Cheers, Haqq.

[Agent Shoots]

whoops am i too late?

i use this: http://www.applesac.com/messenger_bag.html

[jonny5009]

I just got the Mamba from www.booqbags.com it is incredibly sweet and durable and if it's lost (and someone is nice enough) it has a tracking number so it can be returned to you.

[frogcat]

Hey I don't know what some people are talking about here. If you are going to a large University, disregard the comments of just bringing pen and pencil.

I'm a junior at UT Austin, and the campus is like a hiking trail each day. I walk to campus from my apartment, that's 8 blocks away. I like to bring my books, and study on campus. Regardless, your macbook weighs 5 pounds, and you'll bring other things like iPod, wallet, phone, and a book you want to study/read. All that stuff needs a place to go, (and walking 8 blocks with that stuff in your hands or pockets is not comfortable). A nice, comfortable, large, and sturdy backpack is a good investment during college.

I recommend the North Face bags. They are pretty much the only bags you'll see here at UT. Every demographic wears them, so its not a fashion statement. It's more of utility. They are comfortable wearing all day (15 pounds feels like 5). And the best part is that they hold all 4 of my college textbooks, macbook, hoodie for cold buildings, water bottle, lunch, large headphones, wallet, external harddrive, calculator, notebooks, keys, and loose crap that floats around from being a college student. (sorry I was actually digging through my bag while I wrote that)

Here's a link to my bag, which has a dedicated spot for my black SR macbook.

http://lonelyplanet.altrec.com/shop/detail/39776/0/?xsell_cart#photo

Enjoy,

Kevin

[iWaldo]

I'll second the North Face Recon. I use one, and I love it. It's comfortable, protects my MacBook, organizes my junk, and doubles as a daypack for hiking. Also, it doesn't scream 'expensive laptop inside, please steal!' like some packs I've seen. :o

[Breegy]

I ordered this form Amazon for about $30.. plus a $20 rebate, so it only costs me about $12 total. :rolleyes:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=399512

I got the black and gray one..

[CaptainCaveMann]

Hey.

Just purchased my first MACBOOK. I am currently a college student and I need a backpack... not just any backpack one that has a slot for my macbook and and books.

Got any suggestions? Thanks!

I like Dakine backpacks. I use the Recon pack by dakine. Love it! Got it for 40 bucks online, and it's built really well.

I use it for school and surfing.

http://lonelyplanet.altrec.com/shop/detail/38965/?sch=clk#photo

[brandonzar]

Hey I don't know what some people are talking about here. If you are going to a large University, disregard the comments of just bringing pen and pencil.

I'm a junior at UT Austin, and the campus is like a hiking trail each day. I walk to campus from my apartment, that's 8 blocks away. I like to bring my books, and study on campus. Regardless, your macbook weighs 5 pounds, and you'll bring other things like iPod, wallet, phone, and a book you want to study/read. All that stuff needs a place to go, (and walking 8 blocks with that stuff in your hands or pockets is not comfortable). A nice, comfortable, large, and sturdy backpack is a good investment during college.



I disagree, just get into some program, like the hard sciences, that will get you a workspace or office. That way you can leave all of your books on campus and save your back. When I was doing my undergrad work I worked part time in the chemistry stockroom and I would just leave all of my books in there and carry an Incase messenger bag for my laptop and a notepad.

[CaptainCaveMann]

Agreed. You could be like every other college student and just buy a messenger bag.

When I was in school this is what I brought...

I brought a single subject notebook for each class I had. Plus maybe 1 book/ or a laptop. It depends, because if your going to school to study then yes you need to bring your books, but if your just going to class you usually never need your book.

Pack lightly, otherwise you just get to class and your sweating, or sore.

[mclaughj]

Oh okay. Welcome to college!!! By the way, just so you know college students don't really bring their textbooks with them because it's not really needed in class (unless specified by the teacher). Most students only bring their pens and notebooks with them in class plus some personal materials like phone and wallet. If you are taking notes with your macbook instead of using pen and paper you might not even need paper notebooks like other students. So, on a regular day in school you might only need to bring your laptop, pens and other personal materials with you. Honestly it not that much and you might find yourself not needing a backpack with lots of compartments.

Uh... What college do you go to?? I find myself needing at least three textbooks a day plus a notebook!

[r0bbert]

just got the double strap incase back pack and its amazing , soo many pockets , and brilliant protection for the laptop in the fur lined compartments

[hogfaninga]

I love my MacCase messenger bag. It came with a custom fit sleeve for my Macbook as well. They designed them specifically for the Mac.

[rockthecasbah]

Chalk up another vote for L.L. Bean. Their bags are fantastic, my old one lasted me from 1st grade until 12th ;)