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Inconspicuous Laptop Backpack

B

Belm

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 20, 2009
241
10
I'm looking for a backpack for a 13" MBP. I'd like something that'll keep the MBP safe from dents and scratches but not bring a lot of attention to me. I really don't feel like being robbed :). I take the train to class everyday and I live in Chicago so a discreet bag is a must. Any suggestions?
 
get a neoprene sleeve for your mac and just toss it in a regular book bag. there are also book bags that have a special compartment for a laptop as well.
 
I went with the Timbuk2 Underground Pack. It's a normal(but attractive & durable) backpack but has a sleeve-like thing in the main compartment which secures up to a 17" laptop. I use it with a 13" Macbook fine.
 
psingh01 said:
get a neoprene sleeve for your mac and just toss it in a regular book bag. there are also book bags that have a special compartment for a laptop as well.
Click to expand...

Well, I just have a cheap Jansport bag right now and I don't think that it'll keep the laptop safe even with a case on it. Any more suggestions?
 
I have a Darwin 2 backpack, and it does a pretty good job of keeping things safe. It's good for a school bag, but too small if you carry a ton of books and too big if you only carry your laptop. The real selling point is the side zipper. It makes it ridiculously easy to get at stuff.

They're pretty common around here, but not so much outside of Canada I'd wager. MEC isn't a particularly well-known brand elsewhere.
 
have you looked at the incase sling bag?

the current model's not quite as slim as previous ones - but still flatter than a full pack.

they are sold at the apple stores if you want to check them out before sale.

belkin makes a sling pack that is also pretty low-key (depending on color choices) - amazon's got em off and on.
 
Wenger Maxxum

For sturdiness and inconspicuousness, I suggest a Wenger Maxxum backpack, they are pretty resistant, can pack a lot of stuff and do not yell "LAptop inside" to everyone around.
 
I have a north face recon day pack that can be used for hiking. Love this back pack and it has a compartment for a laptop (that doubles as a water pack for hiking). carries everything including water bottle (1 liter) and a coffee container.
 
Belm said:
Well, I just have a cheap Jansport bag right now and I don't think that it'll keep the laptop safe even with a case on it. Any more suggestions?
Click to expand...

This is going to be the most inconspicuous solution and it doesn't involve that much trade-off in terms of safety. Most of the padded laptop slots in backpacks have the same type of padding that the sleeves have, they're just a little thicker.
 
Take a look at the North Face Surge. It has a laptop compartment, and it looks like any other NF backpack that anybody would use. Nothing about it screams "laptop inside," but it's very well set up (including the other compartments) for transporting a laptop and accessories. There's room for my 17" MBP, even in a Booq sleeve. It's a very effective bag and, as I said, very stealthy.
 
yukio said:
have you looked at the incase sling bag?

the current model's not quite as slim as previous ones - but still flatter than a full pack.

they are sold at the apple stores if you want to check them out before sale.

belkin makes a sling pack that is also pretty low-key (depending on color choices) - amazon's got em off and on.
Click to expand...

You can still get the original here: http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?ID=3827050 and it's only $43.00!!!

I ordered one and I LOVE IT. It's very slim, but still has enough room for chargers both iPhone and MBP, plus the laptop (in a fur lined pouch), plus a couple of small books, and various other small cables and accessories. It also has a pouch at the bottom of the strap that's perfect for an iPhone or iPod.

The picture on this website is actually a backpack, but the product is a sling. While I didn't have an problems, the reviews on this site are so-so; buyer beware.
 
I really like the North Face Surge bag. I think I may get it. The Jack Spade bag is really expensive and I don't really like the way that the others look. Thanks guys!
 
yukio said:
have you looked at the incase sling bag?
Click to expand...
I have one for my MBP 17" and I love it. It's quite inconspicuous, plain black, light, very easy on the shoulder(s) and back, has a nifty velvet pocket inside the strap (for iPhone/iPod or similar) and velvet inside the laptop compartment which means you won't scratch up the aluminum.
 
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