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Best Messenger Bags for a Macbook Pro (15) - with Room for textbooks

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Ploppy1987

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 26, 2007
9
0
So I've had my macbook pro for a year now, I love it, and I've been using a Swiss bookbag which was just too big to go from class to class in.

So I thought a nice messenger bag would do. What I'm looking for is it to have good protection for the laptop without the use of a sleeve and in addition have room for some notebooks and a textbook. Enough to go to two classes. I'd like it to be leather but then again I'd like to afford it. I'd probably go as high as $200 but if i really like it who knows.

So what I've been looking at:

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/laptop/

http://www.fossil.com/jump.jsp?itemID=2567&itemType=CATEGORY

http://www.vajacases.com/images/bags/messenger15_wide.html (Incredibly Expensive)

http://usa.roots.com/style.aspx?catid=120&dptid=7&saleGroup=&template=1

http://www.crumplerbags.com/Cart/index.php?catId=5

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=DBB96B8F&nplm=TN097LL/A

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=76D82591&nplm=TN374LL/A

http://booqbags.com/s.nl;jsessionid...888e9.e3eTaxePaNqNe34Pa38Ta38Mb3f0?it=A&id=96

I would prefer leather or color but if it's just black nylon and it's a great bag let me know. Just want to know people's opinions of these bags and their own experiences with their own bags. Also if anyone knows if the fossil or roots bags fit a 15 inch Macbook Pro, let me know.

Thanks!
 
I got a timbuk2 laptop messenger, the thing is awesome, built like a tank. Has a nice padded compartment for the laptop, as well as a roomy main compartment as well as a few other little pockets for other things.

my only complaint is the strap. While it is extremely durable, when carrying a heavy load(which, fortunetly, is not often for me), it does dig into the shoulder a little, however, I think that timbuk2 makes a shoulder pad that will work with the bag.
 
Ditto on Timbuk2--there are other quality manufacturers out there, but I have beat my Custom Large Messenger pretty hard for the last year and you really can't tell it from new. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
 
Ok this may be alittle difficult to get hold of but it is made in Japan, from a brand called HeadPorter. It collaborated with the leading messenger bag manufactuer in Germany (BagJack) to make a very stylish bag:
 

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Timbuk2 FTW!
I bought a custom laptop messenger, in navy/grey/navy, and it's AWESOME!

I'll post pictures if you want, an absolutely awesome bag.

The only thing I'd suggest is to be sure to buy the little pad for the strap, it helps much.
 
I also love timbuk2 bags. I have one for my laptop and it's fabulous.
I'd also recommend an STM bag. Tge loft is awesome but a little small.
 
How could you forget the Tom Bihn bags? They beat the competition by miles in quality of construction and features, in my opinion. I've got a Super Ego messenger with a Brain Cell to hold my 15" MBP, and there's still tons of room for whatever you want to put in it (yes, including those big college books).

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0825

He's got some other nice bags too (Ego, ID, etc) if you don't like that one in particular, but if you've got a lot of equipment to carry around then Super Ego is the bag for you.
 
so is a super ego with a brain cell really worth $190? it just seems kinda expensive to me. but of course i have never bought a good laptop bag.
 
I know Tumi has a rather expensive reputation, but my family has had great experience with the company, so I decided to buy two of these messenger bags for my new MacBook/MacBook Pro (I haven't decided yet...):

http://www.tumi.com/business_laptop...er_bag/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=41681

I like the styling a lot, and given it's a Tumi, I'm sure it'll last me through college. It says it only fits a MB, but I've tested it with a MBP with no problems. However, I'll have to see how it performs in everday school usage.
 
cmeriptahoe said:
so is a super ego with a brain cell really worth $190? it just seems kinda expensive to me. but of course i have never bought a good laptop bag.
Click to expand...

I have the ID with a Brain Cell. Used it every day for almost 3 year now and still in exactly the same shape as when I bought them, very good quality. Plus, has kept my PowerBook in great shape.
 
cmeriptahoe said:
so is a super ego with a brain cell really worth $190? it just seems kinda expensive to me. but of course i have never bought a good laptop bag.
Click to expand...

Certainly you can find cheaper bags, and they might very well protect your laptop well enough to fit your needs. In my case, though, $190 is a small price to pay for assurance that I'm not going to ding, dent, or otherwise harm my $2400 investment just from normal use of my bag. It is a bit of a premium price for Tom Bihn's products, but you won't be disappointed at the workmanship and design of whatever bag you choose. This is not a product that you'll pay for a lot for and get a little; you'll still pay a lot, but you'll get much more.

There's plenty of reviews scattered around on various sites that you can look up for nearly all of Tom Bihn's bags, and all of the reviews that I've read can find very little to criticize.
 
I have the fossil blaze messenger and its a good quality, nice leather bag. However it barely fits the MBP (Width wise), I put my MBP in a Booq vyper sleeve and AFAIK it is the most form fitting one and slide the MBP in and out of that and use it for the padding. I would wager it would also hold 1 large or 2 small-medium size textbook (size is not a problem, its thickness). Nice, well made bag though
 
Hi i have been looking at the Booq M2 Vyper or the Axis (i think its the name) hard shell, has anyone had these and could they maybe gimme some feedback on them.
 
Trager

I bought a Trager messenger bag from my college bookstore about 3 and a half years ago for my powerbook G4, and it's been solid all the way. They're a Seattle company, fantastic build quality, and pretty comfortable. Room for a few books, though they tend to be on the smaller side.
 
jessica. said:
This one hands down. http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/laptop/commute
Click to expand...

That looks like some meager laptop protection there. I mean, held in by a small velcro strap where you can still see the top of the laptop. That padding around the laptop doesn't look like it offers much more protection than a neoprene sleeve either, definitely not enough for a big bag carrying around a lot of weight right up against the computer. The laptop compartment looks almost like it was added as an afterthought rather than a well-designed feature of the bag. And considering that there's basically laptop and non-laptop versions of the same bag, I'm even more convinced that it is an afterthought added to draw in more business as a "laptop bag" rather than provide good protection for a pricey investment.

Wow, that was quite a rant... :p
 
I think the leather bags form roots wins hands down - good quality italian leather - thats what i'll be getting - just hope it fits a 15" MBP!!
 
Thank you guys for the great suggestions and keep them coming.

Specifically interested in any leather bags like the Fossil or the Roots one. I know one said that the laptop barely fit in their Fossil bag but any other ones would be great

Thanks
 
Justin Horne said:
Timbuk2 FTW!
I bought a custom laptop messenger, in navy/grey/navy, and it's AWESOME!

I'll post pictures if you want, an absolutely awesome bag.
Click to expand...
Got any pictures that show what else fits in the Timbuk2 bag?

I'm looking for something that will hold a few more items (power cord, WD Passport hard drive, iPod, etc), but not much else -- I don't want a big bulky bag.
 
I just bought a crumpler cheesy disco, which i find perfect for my spanking new MBP :D

It stands out, and I have room for 4 textbooks besides my MBP charger and extension cord :D

The pictures suck, all i have is my camera phone.. sry, I'll try to add a picture of everything that can fit inside the bag, have to eat dinner first though :D
 

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Sbrocket said:
That looks like some meager laptop protection there. I mean, held in by a small velcro strap where you can still see the top of the laptop. That padding around the laptop doesn't look like it offers much more protection than a neoprene sleeve either, definitely not enough for a big bag carrying around a lot of weight right up against the computer. The laptop compartment looks almost like it was added as an afterthought rather than a well-designed feature of the bag. And considering that there's basically laptop and non-laptop versions of the same bag, I'm even more convinced that it is an afterthought added to draw in more business as a "laptop bag" rather than provide good protection for a pricey investment.

Wow, that was quite a rant... :p
Click to expand...

Sure was. Need a nap? I'm not the only one who recommended it but you're probably right. Clearly you know more about this bag than an actual owner.

:)
 
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