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Any good recommendations on Apple laptop bags?
- Thread starter jc0481
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jc0481 said:
I bought a bag made by STM (www.stmbags.com) from the Apple Store for my iBook, I'd definitely recommend a case or bag by them. Radtech also sells most all of their product line.
I second the stm bags. I have their large brink bag for my 17" Powerbook. It was around $55 shipped from Radtech. Got it in two days. Nice design and colors, good protection, and affordable. Not a bad pick if you want a soft bag.
heh, I am among the people who vote go to a place like Office deport, office max, or best buy (or other store like them) and just look at there bags in person. You should be able to tell by looking the quiltly of the bag and just look at it closely.
Think about the needs and wants you have for it. For example the bag I use I chose it because it have a several pocket to seprated stuff in. and store stuff for the computer and classes. Also it a very useful bag even if I dont put my computer in it. Dont know the brand name of it. I pick it out from I think office max. I knew what I wanted in the bag. Found something that filled that need and is really only something I think you can do in person.
Just figure out your needs and what you want to use it for. I would think you will want to make sure it can be used for more than just a computer bag but also a way to carry around some stuff for classes as well.
Just go look in person. I know some people who like the back pack set up. I like the over the shoulder bag.
Think about the needs and wants you have for it. For example the bag I use I chose it because it have a several pocket to seprated stuff in. and store stuff for the computer and classes. Also it a very useful bag even if I dont put my computer in it. Dont know the brand name of it. I pick it out from I think office max. I knew what I wanted in the bag. Found something that filled that need and is really only something I think you can do in person.
Just figure out your needs and what you want to use it for. I would think you will want to make sure it can be used for more than just a computer bag but also a way to carry around some stuff for classes as well.
Just go look in person. I know some people who like the back pack set up. I like the over the shoulder bag.
You didn't mention which notebook (size) you have, or what else you need to carry around with you.
I also like the STM bags - I have a Baby Brink for my 12" PowerBook. I use a red Tucano sleeve for extra padding, which matches the colouring of the bag perfectly and fits very snugly. There's a small pocket in the bag to carry the power adapter, but there is very little room for anything else.
I also like the STM bags - I have a Baby Brink for my 12" PowerBook. I use a red Tucano sleeve for extra padding, which matches the colouring of the bag perfectly and fits very snugly. There's a small pocket in the bag to carry the power adapter, but there is very little room for anything else.
I just noticed this thread is in the Community Discussion forum. Perhaps it should be moved to "Buying tips..."
I can't believe STM is so popular, because in all the other "bag" threads, they rarely come up this often. I have an STM bag for my 12" PB (the "Small Loft" shoulder bag), and it isn't bad. The padding used isn't as thick as it could be, but it's still on par with the Crumpler bags.
Let me tell you something about most of the protection that these bags offer: it's almost all the same. People talk about Crumpler bags or STM. Guess what? Feel the padding of their shoulder bags, and you'll notice right away that one doesn't have more or less padding than the other. Sometimes it matters, but not really for laptop bags. For example, I bought a Lowepro bag for my dSLR camera because the padding was clearly thicker. With most bags from companies dedicated to making laptop bags, it's almost the same.
The big difference between bags, IMO, is how well the laptop fits in the padded pocket, and the compartmentalisation offered in the bags. Some don't have enough pockets to store all your stuff, and depending on where the pockets are, they can actually offer protection to your laptop if you're keeping stuff in those pockets. In this way, backpacks are usually better, but much bigger than shoulder bags.
My STM is good, but buying the equivalent Crumpler bag will cost you more money. Why? Because they're way too popular right now, and that's going to cost you money. If you have the money though, buy what you like. However, I can tell you for certain that for most shoulder bags, it doesn't matter, and for backpacks, STM and Brenthaven backpacks are outstanding. Not sure about other companies.
Look at Max_Altitude's reply. Some people swear by Crumpler or STM, but Tom Bihn and Waterfield bags are also supposed to be good. Acme Made sells very fancy, trendy looking bags, and Knomo (which isn't even in the Mac Guides.....*hint hint*) simply makes super expensive, luxury laptop bags.
Let me tell you something about most of the protection that these bags offer: it's almost all the same. People talk about Crumpler bags or STM. Guess what? Feel the padding of their shoulder bags, and you'll notice right away that one doesn't have more or less padding than the other. Sometimes it matters, but not really for laptop bags. For example, I bought a Lowepro bag for my dSLR camera because the padding was clearly thicker. With most bags from companies dedicated to making laptop bags, it's almost the same.
The big difference between bags, IMO, is how well the laptop fits in the padded pocket, and the compartmentalisation offered in the bags. Some don't have enough pockets to store all your stuff, and depending on where the pockets are, they can actually offer protection to your laptop if you're keeping stuff in those pockets. In this way, backpacks are usually better, but much bigger than shoulder bags.
My STM is good, but buying the equivalent Crumpler bag will cost you more money. Why? Because they're way too popular right now, and that's going to cost you money. If you have the money though, buy what you like. However, I can tell you for certain that for most shoulder bags, it doesn't matter, and for backpacks, STM and Brenthaven backpacks are outstanding. Not sure about other companies.
Look at Max_Altitude's reply. Some people swear by Crumpler or STM, but Tom Bihn and Waterfield bags are also supposed to be good. Acme Made sells very fancy, trendy looking bags, and Knomo (which isn't even in the Mac Guides.....*hint hint*) simply makes super expensive, luxury laptop bags.
There is another quite lengthy thread which was made into a "sticky" in the buying tips section; you might want to have a look there.
As for bags: I've got a vertical bag made by Oakley, which I really like very much, especially for travelling, and I've also got the Crumpler "Embarrassment" bag. The problem with the Crumpler, though, is that it is designed for a 15" laptop and the slightly wider PB fits in there VERY snugly -- TOO much so. One has to work at stretching out the fabric in order for the PB to slip in-and-out of there comfortably. Aside from that, though, it's a neat bag and doesn't look as though I'm carrying an expensive laptop with me.
As for bags: I've got a vertical bag made by Oakley, which I really like very much, especially for travelling, and I've also got the Crumpler "Embarrassment" bag. The problem with the Crumpler, though, is that it is designed for a 15" laptop and the slightly wider PB fits in there VERY snugly -- TOO much so. One has to work at stretching out the fabric in order for the PB to slip in-and-out of there comfortably. Aside from that, though, it's a neat bag and doesn't look as though I'm carrying an expensive laptop with me.
I just purchased a WaterField Sleevecase last week for my upcoming MacBook. The quality is superb, the shipping speed is outstanding (I did ground and got the freaking thing in 3 days after submitting the order.), and the icing on the cake was the hand written thank you note on the invoice slip. You just don't get that kind of service anymore.
Sometime before June (I’m doing some traveling) I need to get myself a full blow case. I will be going back to them and ordering one of their Cargo Bags. Do you pay a premium? Yes. But ARE getting what you pay for. Looking at the quality of my Sleevecase I expect this thing to last a LONG LONG time.
Sometime before June (I’m doing some traveling) I need to get myself a full blow case. I will be going back to them and ordering one of their Cargo Bags. Do you pay a premium? Yes. But ARE getting what you pay for. Looking at the quality of my Sleevecase I expect this thing to last a LONG LONG time.
I've got a barely used Booq 14" Powersleeve for sale.
Name your price, and it's yours (free shipping, too).
Name your price, and it's yours (free shipping, too).
jc0481 said:
Not often I agree with Compusa people, but I have to say the Brenthaven is very nice. I've had it for about 9 months now (Fusion Flex, for pb 15") and it is excellent.
If you're going to get it don't buy from Apple though. They charge a pretty hefty price. Do some searching on the web and you'll find a number of websites selling that particular bag for $90 or less.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Marware sleeves are better than the incase. no proof, just I had a roommates with incases, and I like my marware a little better. Mostly because of the plastic reinforcements that really don't protect now that I think about it. But, I do like the neoprene better than the nylon with padding.