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help me pick case for new 15" powerbook

V

Vashti

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 24, 2003
95
1
New York, NY
Hey, I was looking for some advice on what case to buy for my new 15" powerbook, soon to be delivered. I've perused the forums, but need info more specific to me.

I'm a short woman. (5') I would like a messenger style bag that doesn't look too large and is light. (I know a backpack is better for my back - but I occasionally need to look professional. I'm hoping I can find a bag not too hard on back and neck.) I plan to carry my 15" powerbook, power cord, ipod, palm pilot, phone, a novel or business folder or 2, a few dvds when I travel, and a little makeup. Except for the computer, none of that stuff is very big, but cumulatively, I'll need some space. It's important to me that it looks cool.

From the browsing I've done so far, I've found several cases that look like they have potential:

Tom Binh ID w/ Brain Cell

Timbuktu Commuter or Detour

Crumpler (descriptions are so cutesy, it's hard to understand which would be most appropriate for me)

I'm also thinking of getting a Booq sleeve. I've seen it. It's small and attractive. It would be perfect for when I don't need much else, but too small for travel. Anyone know if it could fit in Tom Binh or Timbukto bag?

Do you have opinions on any of the above bags? Know of others I should be considering?

I'm traveling Saturday, so will try to order tomorrow (Tues) so I can get it in time.

Thanks for your help!!
 
Crumpler, without a doubt.

I would definitely go with the Crumpler bag. I fell in love with them here in Sydney (here from Los Angeles for six months working) and they have served me well.

For your size and needs, I would say the Crippy Duck would be perfect. It has a great laptop sleeve, and lots of little pockets inside, mesh and otherwise. The Wee Bee is probably a better size for you, but only fits a 14.1" laptop.

http://www.crumplerusa.com/products/laptop/hi-res/crd001_internal.jpg

The Roll O' Notes is the best true messenger style bag for your size. The other ones are all MASSIVE. I have the Crisp Suit and feel like I could pack enough things in it to climb Mount Everest. It's like the Crisp Suit, but smaller and more suited for you. I've seen the bag in the Crumpler store here many times, and trust me, it's fantastic.

http://www.crumplerusa.com/images/products/rn007_w_stuff.jpg

I'm obsessed with Crumpler, unfortunately! Contact me if you have any questions about the bags, I'll be happy to answer them!

Best prices I've found online for them are www.crumplerbags.com and www.ebags.com. If you log onto ebags with www.ebags.com/amazon, you get free shipping and a small discount I think, plus I believe they have a money-back guarantee.
 
shazammy said:
I would definitely go with the Crumpler bag. I fell in love with them here in Sydney (here from Los Angeles for six months working) and they have served me well.

For your size and needs, I would say the Crippy Duck would be perfect. It has a great laptop sleeve, and lots of little pockets inside, mesh and otherwise. The Wee Bee is probably a better size for you, but only fits a 14.1" laptop.

http://www.crumplerusa.com/products/laptop/hi-res/crd001_internal.jpg

The Roll O' Notes is the best true messenger style bag for your size. The other ones are all MASSIVE. I have the Crisp Suit and feel like I could pack enough things in it to climb Mount Everest. It's like the Crisp Suit, but smaller and more suited for you. I've seen the bag in the Crumpler store here many times, and trust me, it's fantastic.

http://www.crumplerusa.com/images/products/rn007_w_stuff.jpg

I'm obsessed with Crumpler, unfortunately! Contact me if you have any questions about the bags, I'll be happy to answer them!

Best prices I've found online for them are www.crumplerbags.com and www.ebags.com. If you log onto ebags with www.ebags.com/amazon, you get free shipping and a small discount I think, plus I believe they have a money-back guarantee.
Click to expand...

I'd vote for Tom Bihn's ID bag. I don't think it's 'massive' at all; and the build quality is outstanding. Personally, I own the Bihn Empire Builder, which definitely is on the bigger side (and doesn't sound like something that you'd need). The protection is unbeatable when paired with the Brain Cell as well. Not cheap, but worth every penny. The Brain Cell (size 4 IIRC) for the 15" PB fits like a glove, too.
 
crumpler

I have Crumpler's Wack-o-phone and am pleased with it. The shoulder strap has excellent padding.

Crumpler has a store in NYC on Spring btw Mulberry and Mott.
 
more info on crumpler?

junghay said:
I have Crumpler's Wack-o-phone and am pleased with it. The shoulder strap has excellent padding.

Crumpler has a store in NYC on Spring btw Mulberry and Mott.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll go down there and check it out. Do these bags hold their shape if you put them down? How is the padding in the computer compartment? On the web, it looked kind of flimsy. I couldn't tell how protected the computer is.
 
Very well made!

These bags hold their shape incredibly well, and the laptop sleeve compartments are very, very well padded. These bags were designed with the Apple PB in mind (they use pictures of the PBs in their catalog.

I suggest you head down to the Crumpler store, PB in hand, and try out a few bags. You'll love them!

Vashti said:
Thanks! I'll go down there and check it out. Do these bags hold their shape if you put them down? How is the padding in the computer compartment? On the web, it looked kind of flimsy. I couldn't tell how protected the computer is.
Click to expand...
 
Harder than I Thought This Would Be

Well, my research hasn't panned out so well.

The booq sleeve is stylish, but too big for the 15". There seems to be lots of room for it to move. Anyone have experiences with this one?

Timbuk2 bags just looked too big on me.

The Tom Binh ID and Hipster are still in the running. I can't lay eyes on them in NY - and the measurements are similar to timbuk2, so probably too big.

Crumpler - Crippy Duck seems like the right bag, but is sold out everywhere. Probably won't be back in the Crumpler store until beginning of May. Wack-O-Phone felt too big. Anyone know where I can find a new or used Crippy Duck?

I leave town on Saturday, hopefully with computer and bag in hand.

Anyone have any ideas for me?

Thanks. I really appreciate the help.
 
I spent about a year frustrated over the lack of a good bag for my 17".. I mean, that damn brenthaven bag is so ugly.... so I didn't buy one. Everytime I went into an Apple store though I'd walk back and look at it... it was so nice, so padded, so roomy.. but ugly.

I bought one this weekend and I ****ing love it. I regret not buying it sooner. Its the nicest bag I've ever seen. The quality is second to none. The design is perfect. Amazing padding, very comfortable. Buying any other bag would be a mistake.
 
i am a tall male (6 foot 5) and use my crumpler mcbains lovechild and love it. It is super lightweight, water resistant and has excellent padding. I guess it is the cheapest model crumpler do and guess the other models are just better. Buy a mcbains lovechild or wackaphone! They are comfortable, reasonably priced and caring for your laptop.
 
This thread made me think of this, can you purchase JUST a block of styrofoam anywhere convenient, and use that in any old bag you'd like? Any suggestions on this?
 
Is there anywhere you can purchase Incase brand cases aside from the Apple store? I'm thinking about getting one, but I alwasy like to comparison shop for a better price and whatnot... I'm specifically interested in the Sling Pack, which can be seen here.
Or I spose anything similar to that would suffice as well... just gotta be a smallish backpack model, that is mostly plain black, and if it has 1 strap it has to be on the left hand side (crazy military regulations)!

The manufacturers online store is down for 'upgrades' :(

Rob
 
I agree with what cr2sh said about the Brenthaven bags. I have a PB 17 and originally bought the Waterfield Cargo Bag (messenger style) and that KILLED my shoulders on long distance travels. Don't get me wrong - WF bags are excellent, high quality, stylish bags but messenger bags just plain suck if you're hauling a bunch of heavy stuff in them. Now the Brenthaven backpack, while not so pleasing on the eye is awesome - tons of pockets, very well thought out, well padded, very durable and comfortable. I travel all the time so the fact that it doesn't look like an expensive computer bag is a plus as well - not to mention that it will age better than any of the flashy hipster bags. I take my PB, external drives, books, etc. on the road with me literally every day of the week - for me the Brenthaven fits the bill perfectly. Go to the Apple store or order one online ASAP.
 
Tucano pb case

Hey,

I'd recommend the Tucano pb case to anyone - maybe not you, Vashti, because you said you were leaving town Sunday so doubtless you've got a bag by now! Hope so :)

For anyone else, it's a sleeve case - so, it'll fit inside another bag or, like me, can be used to protect the alu case from the inside of my school bag ;)
I have the 12in variety, and it's amazing - haven't actually GOT the powerbook 12in yet, since I'll be picking it up in NYC in 2 weeks time, but I got the sleeve last month and I'm very impressed with quality of construction. It has an inner lip to protect against the zips, while it's tiny - there's no way even the 12in pb could move a millimetre inside it.

Tucano cases are sold through Apple Store UK's site, but not the American site - or at least, they weren't last month, when I last checked. I ended up buying mine through Amazon though, for around £17.00 plus shipping.

Great sleeve, fully recommended.

peace.
 
I know the Brenthaven may be more room than you need and perhaps does meet your cool criteria; it was specifically designed for the 15" Powerbook. I have the shoulder version, and quite simply is the best laptop bag I have ever had. The slip case that comes with it is very well padded and has a handle that you can carry your PowerBook. I use my Powerbook at work and wanted a bag that had a professional look to it.
 
that Tucano case sounds like it would be perfect for me, since I really just need more padding in my current bag, can not find them in the states here though
 
Sucks you can't find it in the US - did you try Amazon also? Try googling it - lots of sites in the US give results, though not sure how reputable they are.

If you want a picture, just ask.

peace.
 
yeah, I'd love to see how well th epadding is, I want something like that that I can fit in my existing case, and stuff it with periphials for travel, so should I happen to lay the pack on its side (so the PB is flat) and the stuff is on top, the PB will be protected. Please send pics if you have 'em
 
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