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17" owners, what bag or backpack do you use?

level8 atlas

excellent bag in all respects, except it makes my back hurt. It may just be me (height/build)

Don't get teh Brenthaven hardcase. leaves scratches on ur computer, and customer service ignores you.

i have a swissgear carbon on order. hopefully my back can deal with it.

BTW, i've never had back problems until the atlas bag. When I compare to my old backpack, I never feel anything.
 
I've done a lot of research and have finally settled on this one for my new 17" MBP:

http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/original-sling-pack-cl55026fr

I was looking for a non-bulky messenger bag or a backpack until I saw this "sling-pack", which is pretty much ideal for me. The MBP fits in its compartment very snuggly (no wiggle room at all), and it's lined with a very soft "faux fur" lining, so it's well-protected all around.
 
Oakley kitchen sink.
425bc18d-7271-df32.jpg
 
Backpack for 17" MBP

I ended up shelling out for a LowePro.

That was 6 years ago and although I'm on my 3rd 17" MBP now, it's still the same backpack used almost daily and it looks like it would last another 6 years easily.

They are primarily designed for photographers and the one I have is called the CompuDaypack which has a great camera compartment at the bottom but is specifically designed to take a 17" laptop. Even with a large camera and the laptop there is still plenty of room for cables and powerpacks and mice etc.

The product page is;
http://products.lowepro.com/product/CompuDaypack,1922,16.htm

Enjoy!
 
YsoSerious said:
Oakley kitchen sink.
425bc18d-7271-df32.jpg
Click to expand...

That's the sort of bag I'm looking for, but is there any that have a solid compartment inside the bag?, that the laptop fits into so if the rucksack got accidentally stood on or the bag was squashed in any way then the laptop would be ok, please post a link if you know where I could get one from :D
 
The case I use is kind of overkill. Its a pelican case model 1495. It wasn't cheap but its worth it.

Pelican_1495.jpg
 
I put the cart before the horse as I haven't ordered my MBP 17 yet, but couldn't pass up a recent sale on a Targus backpack. Though this particular (Canadian) model is built for a 15.4" laptop, I've tried a 17" HP and it fit, albeit a bit snug. The MBP 17 is an inch less in width than the Envy so it should work out okay. The pack has lots of compartments, room for expansion, and is well-padded. It will even accommodate a Targus chill mat. It's been collecting dust far too long now so I'm ordering my laptop this week. I've added links to an equivalent 17" US version in case you're interested.

Targus 15.4" CityGear Laptop Backpack

http://www.targus.com/ca/product_details.asp?sku=TCG650
http://www.targus.com/ca/popup.asp?sku=TCG650&name=TCG650

Targus 17" Voyager Laptop Backpack

http://www.targus.com/ca/product_details.asp?sku=TSB045CA
http://www.targus.com/ca/popup.asp?sku=TSB045CA&name=TSB045CA
 
Macgeeza said:
That's the sort of bag I'm looking for, but is there any that have a solid compartment inside the bag?, that the laptop fits into so if the rucksack got accidentally stood on or the bag was squashed in any way then the laptop would be ok, please post a link if you know where I could get one from :D
Click to expand...

I got mine from http://www.zappos.com for $170, but I think it might be cheaper now being it's been out for awhile now. I think the oakley website has it there too. Check out eBay they may have some used ones on the cheap. The compartment where your laptop goes is not solid but it does fit my 17" MBP in there pretty good. Also it has a zipper on the side that you can quickly access your laptop instead of opening the top. Just make sure it's zipped up when your on the go cause my MBP feel out once. Lucky it only got a few scratches.
 
 
Targus CityGear Miami Messenger. Cheap and does the job well
 

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This is the one I have:

http://us.kensington.com/html/4141.html

It has an internal padded zippered sleeve with handles, so you have a bag within a bag. I originally bought it for a massive HP 17" laptop, which fit into the sleeve, although very tightly, so it could handle the 17" MBP with ease. I'm currently using it for a 15" MBP. I inserted foam strips at the ends of the sleeve, so it fits the 15" MBP snugly. It also has a smaller well padded removable pocket that would be ideal for an iPad.
 
madonionrings said:
I am also in the market for a bag. Here are the best ones I have found so far. Does anyone here have experience with any of these?

http://www.booqbags.com/All-Products/Taipan/Taipan-shadow-XL-black-red-laptop-messenger-bag

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/CTGY/300

http://www.knomobags.com/uk/men/lap...o-messenger-leather-black-17-laptop-bag.html/

http://www.jackspade.com/shop/home.php?cat=351

http://www.chromebagsstore.com/bags/laptop-bags/soyuz.html

http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/original-sling-pack-cl55026fr/1
Click to expand...

The last one you listed (the Incase Original Sling Pack) is the one I mentioned earlier and is the one I'm going for. It's not bulky at all (one of my requirements) yet it has ample room for other stuff (including several compartments/pockets inside and out). Very nicely designed. (And yes, I've actually handled it personally and have fit a 17" MBP inside--love that faux fur!)
 
It's funny because I came here looking to find some advice on a 17" backpack and behold, here is a thread!

I bought an incase backpack from the Apple store for about $100. It's OK, collects fuzz like nothing I've seen before. I think I'll return it. The straps don't feel very strong.

Its actually this one: http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=HieSTfjWNJGy0QHJvf3MBw&ved=0CGIQ8gIwBQ#



I'm currently looking at possibly getting this: http://www.booqbags.com/laptop-back...acbook-backpacks/Boa-squeeze-macbook-backpack

I have another incase bag which is great but it's pretty big. I just need something for the laptop, charger and maybe a book or two.
 
The real problem I see with a lot of these backpacks is that they aren't inconspicuous enough.

Just a quick glance at these lavishly styled containers screams "Valuable stuff inside! Knock me unconscious and nab it!".

Just because a Macbook may be a fashion statement, doesn't mean that it's wise to have your carrying equipment held in the same regard.
 
phaedarus said:
The real problem I see with a lot of these backpacks is that they aren't inconspicuous enough.

Just a quick glance at these lavishly styled containers screams "Valuable stuff inside! Knock me unconscious and nab it!".

Just because a Macbook may be a fashion statement, doesn't mean that it's wise to have your carrying equipment held in the same regard.
Click to expand...

The thing is, nowadays, most backpacks with any sort of laptop carrying ability will look fairly similar. Most people also don't carry their laptops around ALL the time. If you're worried about getting robbed, don't be. In a crowded environment, thieves would have to rob maybe 4-5 people with backpacks in a row before actually getting a laptop (not worth the effort). If you're walking alone down a dark alley with your MBP, well, you shouldn't be...
 
cmclaughlan said:
I use the rather sexy wooden Blackbox case
http://www.blackboxcase.com/collections/all/products/17-macbook-pro-case

And put it in my rather old, I bought it in 2003 with my first 17 inch Macbook Pro (1 GHz G4 !!), Brenthaven 17inch backpack. I can say this thing has lasted and has done a lot of traveling.
http://www.vebee.com/pro-15-17-backpack.html

Colin
Click to expand...

Will my MBP fit in the wooden blackbox case if it has got a speck plastic cover on it
http://www.speckproducts.com/macbook-cases/seethru-macbook-pro-case-17-clear.html
 
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