Reviews!! Booq, Crumpler, Tumi, Maccase, Pics!!

[crdean1]

O.k. I bought my pb in Feb. and have been searching for the right bag and sleeve. I thought my reviews and this thread would compliment the carrying case/sleeves thread. Also, I have had a couple of pm's from past posts to post pics of some of the cases I have bought. So here goes...

I will be reviewing the MacCase 15" PB Sleeve, the Tumi Fusion Z carrying case, Booq Viper M, and the Crumpler Considerable Embarrassment (new, for 15" Alu.)

I will start the reviews with the pics I have, and will resize some pics (of the crumpler) later and add to the thread. Feel free to ask questions.

_______________________________________________________________
MacCase 15" pb Sleeve

First, the MacCase 15" pb sleeve, bought at CompUSA. This was my first sleeve, and I have used it to put my pb in my (non-pb-compartment) messenger bag for school. I like the MacCase, it fits the pb well, not too tight, not too loose. I also like the fact that it has some mesh on the back where the pb gets hot to dissapate heat. For style, it has a silver front with a cutout so you can see your apple logo on your pb, which we all like to marvel at.

All in all, good case but a little soft for me. I think if you dropped it on concrete you would still be looking at a dent in the pb...that said....it does have good enough padding to be in a school bag.

[crdean1]

Next is the Booq Viper M sleeve. I use this as my primary sleeve. I feel safe enough to carry it by itself or in my school bag.

It is a very sturdy case that fits like a glove around the sides of the pb, but the top and bottom of the case kind of bow out and will only touch the pb if you press down on it. I have not noticed this to be a bad thing, it's just the way it was made. There is good protection around the zippers to prevent scratches, and I think it would provide pretty good protection if the pb was dropped. The viper is a ballistic nylon material that is hard but a bit flexible, a good combo.

Overall, a great sleeve. I will continue to use this quite a bit.

[GilGrissom]

I brought a Tucano Second Skin for my 12" PB. Its great. Keeps it safe, hugs to it well and its quite stylish. Will post pictures if I get chance.

[crdean1]

Here we have a Tumi Fusion Z. What's cool about this is that I have had it for a year, and when I bought my pb, it happened to fit perfectly inside. I highly recommend this for the 15" pb.

This case is perfect if you want to carry your ipod, a few small files for a meeting or a small notebook, and your pb. It came with a matching bag for chords, but it doesn't fit very well with the 15" pb in there. It would fit perfect sitting next to a 12" pb....but I typically carry the chords seperately when I take this case. Overall, I use this every day for work, mainly w/o my pb and love it. It also has a shoulder strap that is not shown.

[crdean1]

I will post pics of the crumpler bag once I figure out how to make them smaller since they were taken at a higher resolution (if anyone knows how to do that via the internet let me know) I am on my work pc, and it has no picture software.

CRD

[monkeydo_jb]

If your work PC is Windows XP, then install this .

It's part of the PowerToys package from M$ and allows you to simply right click on any image and choose
a different size for it!

Easy peasy!

[AstrosFan]

Originally Posted by crdean1

Next is the Booq Viper M sleeve. I use this as my primary sleeve. I feel safe enough to carry it by itself or in my school bag.

It is a very sturdy case that fits like a glove around the sides of the pb, but the top and bottom of the case kind of bow out and will only touch the pb if you press down on it. I have not noticed this to be a bad thing, it's just the way it was made. There is good protection around the zippers to prevent scratches, and I think it would provide pretty good protection if the pb was dropped. The viper is a ballistic nylon material that is hard but a bit flexible, a good combo.

Overall, a great sleeve. I will continue to use this quite a bit.

First of all, very nice summaries on all of these bags.
Thank you for writing these mini-reviews and kudos on a job well-done!
I have been looking for something like the Tumi bag you described & will definitely check it out.
I have one of the Booq Powersleeves for my 15" (link here), which I think is an excellent bag. As you said, with the ballistic nylon, it functions both as a sleeve or independent bag.
In retrospect, I think the Viper is probably more of a sleeve than an independent bag & I think the PowerSleeve is the opposite.
Just my 2 cents - keep up the good work!

[crdean1]

I agree, the viper is definitely not a bag, but I like to take it by itself to a friend's house or starbucks when I know that I will not need a chord or anything but the computer itself.

Post some pics of your booq.


CRD

[crdean1]

This is a friend's bag that is sooo coool I made him send me some pics of it. He has really liked it and been very happy. It fits the powerbook snugly, but not too tight. It has several pockets in the front so you can put all of your chords in there, and it looks like you can put a textbook and small notebook in there along with the pb.

I ordered the same bag in Black and orange, and it should be here tomorrow. I'll post a review and some pics as to my experience later on. This is a sweet bag, you can't go wrong w/ Crumpler. Pics in this and next post.

[crdean1]

More Pics.

[AstrosFan]

Originally Posted by crdean1

I agree, the viper is definitely not a bag, but I like to take it by itself to a friend's house or starbucks when I know that I will not need a chord or anything but the computer itself.

Post some pics of your booq.
CRD

I don't have the bag handy, but I'll try to do it in the next couple of days.

[comic book guy]

I have a zahara sleeve (i think they are only selling in europe) which kept my powerbook save for more than 3 years. It carries only the powerbook, so i used it mostly with a backpack.

Recently i bought a north face recon daypack with a notebook compartment where my 15" powerbook fits in perfectly.

If anybody is interested i can post pics in a week or so, when i get my camera back from a friend.

[crdean1]

Originally Posted by comic book guy

I have a zahara sleeve (i think they are only selling in europe) which kept my powerbook save for more than 3 years. It carries only the powerbook, so i used it mostly with a backpack.

Recently i bought a north face recon daypack with a notebook compartment where my 15" powerbook fits in perfectly.

If anybody is interested i can post pics in a week or so, when i get my camera back from a friend.

Interested, as a backpacker, I would love to see the North Face bag in action (didn't know they had a computer pack, may have to look in to getting one myself). Post the pics.

CRD

[GilGrissom]

I'm on the lookout for a new notebook bag too. I've got my second skin for my PB so it's protected so was thinking that being as I couldn't find a nice stylish ruggid notebook bag I would get a normal shoulder bag and my PB would be fine due to the second skin. The crumpler does look good and have seen them before, only the price detered me slightly. It would be for university so would need to hold those big heavy textbooks etc. I got the smallest notebook I could find to help me with space!

[PaRaGoNViCtiM]

Crdean1--Great work. Thanks so much for doing these reviews. They were very useful. I do have one question about the Crumpler: Considerable embarrassment; Can you fit the PB in a sleeve, then put it in the Crumpler, it doesn't look so, but I was curious? If a normal sleeve wouldn't fit, do you think the RadTech sleeve would?

[AJ Muni]

i LOVE that GREEN/ORANGE bag....reminds me of my beloved Miami Hurricanes (look at my signature)..hmm i might get it... i just got one of those black ones they have in the apple store...and i put one of those white apple stickers on it...looks kinda cool, ill post pic when i get home...

[Chef Medeski]

I just purchased a Tucano Second Sleeve and it really looks good and feels good. However, unfortunately they sent me the iBook instead of Pb sleeve, so I have to hawk around for antoher one. Anyone know of any good places?

[GilGrissom]

Originally Posted by Chef Medeski

I just purchased a Tucano Second Sleeve and it really looks good and feels good. However, unfortunately they sent me the iBook instead of Pb sleeve, so I have to hawk around for antoher one. Anyone know of any good places?

Got mine off Amazon, thought I did see some in my nearest Apple Store.

[EGT]

Nice post.

I bought the Booq Viper for my 15" Powerbook a few months ago. I thought it was going to be less flimsy and more sturdy for the price.
I would have liked the interior to be a lot more padded instead of just ballistic nylon with a bit of material on it.

It fits the Powerbook PERFECTLY but I wouldn't feel safe just chucking it into a backpack.

[crdean1]

Originally Posted by PaRaGoNViCtiM

Crdean1--Great work. Thanks so much for doing these reviews. They were very useful. I do have one question about the Crumpler: Considerable embarrassment; Can you fit the PB in a sleeve, then put it in the Crumpler, it doesn't look so, but I was curious? If a normal sleeve wouldn't fit, do you think the RadTech sleeve would?

Not a normal sleeve, but possibly a radtech. I have that radtech sleeve, and I will try it when I get my black crumpler tomorrow and let you know.

edit: ...and I'll post you a pic if it works good.

CRD

[GilGrissom]

Originally Posted by crdean1

Not a normal sleeve, but possibly a radtech. I have that radtech sleeve, and I will try it when I get my black crumpler tomorrow and let you know.

Gutted. I guess that rules the crumpler out for me then, shame.

[crdean1]

Originally Posted by Gil_Grissom

I'm on the lookout for a new notebook bag too. I've got my second skin for my PB so it's protected so was thinking that being as I couldn't find a nice stylish ruggid notebook bag I would get a normal shoulder bag and my PB would be fine due to the second skin. The crumpler does look good and have seen them before, only the price detered me slightly. It would be for university so would need to hold those big heavy textbooks etc. I got the smallest notebook I could find to help me with space!

Gil, Look here (although I don't think they have the orange, but you could call) They have unbelieveable pricing on this bag ($49.99, it is usually $89.99):

http://www.powermax.com/cgi-global/g...gi?p=ms-137610

Before I discovered this place, I ordered mine at www.academicsuperstore.com and thought I was getting a deal.

CRD

[GilGrissom]

Originally Posted by crdean1

Gil, Look here (although I don't think they have the orange, but you could call) They have unbelieveable pricing on this bag ($49.99, it is usually $89.99):

http://www.powermax.com/cgi-global/g...gi?p=ms-137610

Before I discovered this place, I ordered mine at www.academicsuperstore.com and thought I was getting a deal.

CRD

Ah many thanks CRD! Great price!! I'm just checking out whether they do delivery to the UK but the website is "unable to find delivery options" for my location and I have to ring.
Thanks!

Hang about, its 15", so it should be fine for my 12" with second skin, right?!

Wow, there are loads of Crumpler bags, how do I choose?!

[Eevee]

Originally Posted by EGT

Nice post.

I bought the Booq Viper for my 15" Powerbook a few months ago. I thought it was going to be less flimsy and more sturdy for the price.
I would have liked the interior to be a lot more padded instead of just ballistic nylon with a bit of material on it.

It fits the Powerbook PERFECTLY but I wouldn't feel safe just chucking it into a backpack.

Just got my Booq Viper for my 15" PB this morning. I would also like to have the interior to be more padded instead of just ballistic nylon. But that's just me. Also, it doesn't really fit the PB perfectly. As crdean1 pointed out, the top and bottom of the case bowl out, and thus leave empty spaces in the case. And I do worry about the zipper scratching the PB. But maybe it won't.

Anyone interested in a leather briefcase? I just ordered a Schlesinger brief from IRVS

http://www.irvs.com/image.php/itemno/SF1005/bcr//

It's kinda pricey, but looks great.

Thanks crdean1 for this cool thread!!!

[crdean1]

Originally Posted by Gil_Grissom

Ah many thanks CRD! Great price!! I'm just checking out whether they do delivery to the UK but the website is "unable to find delivery options" for my location and I have to ring.
Thanks!

Hang about, its 15", so it should be fine for my 12" with second skin, right?!

Wow, there are loads of Crumpler bags, how do I choose?!

Gil, I would think it would work with a second skin and a 12". You could always return it. Good luck. You can look at crumplers website, which is pretty funny, to look at all of the bags and specs.

www.crumplerusa.com

CRD