Need Messenger/Shoulder Bag Advice for my 15" Macbook Pro

[spierce7]

Hey guys, I'm really looking for a quality messenger bag. I just bought one that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED, but it already broke after 2 days because while the bag was amazingly sturdy, the clasp that held everything shut was very very weak. The bag was also a tiny bit small for my 15" Macbook Pro (Unibody). It was nice though because the back was rigid with a plastic piece built in so it supported the bag and helped to protect my laptop (along with my body glove case of course. It can't hurt to be too careful.).

Anyways, so I'm looking for a bag that would fit my 15" Macbook pro and it's bodyglove case nicely, and is big enough for me to take around some other stuff, i.e. Bible, etc. This is a bag that I will always carry around with me, and I'm a big fan of the way the past 2 messenger bags that I've bought have looked. Here they are:
http://www.amazon.com/khaki-Vintage-Paratrooper-Shoulder-Bag/dp/B000BFLFFS/ref=pd_sbs_a_1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013G507S/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

I really like that style of bag, and I really wish that that second bag (the engineering one) wouldn't have broke so fast, and fit my laptop well, so that's what I'd like to have ideally, but I'm open to other options. My price range is under $50, but I'd like to spend more around $30. Thanks!

In Short:
1. I need a bag that fits my 15 inch macbook pro + body glove.
2. I need it to be able to hold more than my laptop, as in laptop + school book + notebook
3. I'd like it to be a messenger/shoulder bag
4. It needs to be durable as I'm using this daily.
5. I prefer the style of my above previous bags, but that's not necessary. (Ideally I'd like a bigger version of this.

 

[mcruzader]

I recently bought this before traveling home over christmas break, and I must say it is one amazing bag. It is big, comfortable, and I can fit a ton of stuff in it.

 

[spierce7]

I recently bought this before traveling home over christmas break, and I must say it is one amazing bag. It is big, comfortable, and I can fit a ton of stuff in it.

Looks nice, but it's a tad pricy >.< How bulky is it?

Any other recommendations anyone please?

 

[coachingguy]

If you're thinking messenger bags, really you should be looking at Timbuk2. They've developed a new protection for laptops and they wear extremely well. They can be pricey, but if you search the web, you can find them for much cheaper. I've got 3 different kinds... the Outtawack (awesome - my daily bag), the medium messenger and a xl messenger that is my traveling bag clothes + MPB.

Also, you should check out ebags.com Their customer reviews are Great!

Take a look. timbuk2.com

Coachingguy.

 

[mcruzader]

Looks nice, but it's a tad pricy >.< How bulky is it?

Any other recommendations anyone please?

Oh its great! Not bulky at all. The good thing about it is how it is shut, since its by a clasp, it will adjust to what you have in it, unlike zipper bags and such. I can fit, my 15MBP, external harddrives, cables, magic mouse and books with pens and such. Let us know with what you decide to go.

 

[spierce7]

Well, I'm currently looking at:
1. http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/medium-messenger-bag-cl55064
2. http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW217ZM/A?n=messenger_bags&fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MTA4MjU3MzY&s=topSellers

I'm not 100% sure which one I'm going to go with at the moment. I'm going to try going to the apple store tomorrow and see if I can't get a peak at both of them and make a decision. I also want to see what the green looks like in real life. I think I've seen the black in real life and it just looks like leather.

 

[Paul B]

I love those two Incase bags and I almost wish I had a 15" instead of a 13" so I could buy them. Almost.

If price is a concern, Belkin makes a decent budget laptop bag. Search Amazon for it.

 

[spierce7]

I actually think I'm going to buy:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X9MYHI/ref=asc_df_B002X9MYHI1017427?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=dealt406512-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B002X9MYHI
or
http://www.amazon.com/Caselogic-SNMB-15F-15-4-Inch-Fullsize-Messenger/dp/B0014HYD8S/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1264893551&sr=8-29

All I want is a plain canvas messenger bag that can hold my laptop, preferably without me having to put it in my body glove. The first one is that, but it's kind of expensive. I also like that it has no velcro.

 

[natebookpro]

If you're thinking messenger bags, really you should be looking at Timbuk2. They've developed a new protection for laptops and they wear extremely well. They can be pricey, but if you search the web, you can find them for much cheaper. I've got 3 different kinds... the Outtawack (awesome - my daily bag), the medium messenger and a xl messenger that is my traveling bag clothes + MPB.

Also, you should check out ebags.com Their customer reviews are Great!

Take a look. timbuk2.com

Coachingguy.

I will second that, they really are fantastic bags. They are a bit pricey, but come with a lifetime warranty. Search around online and you should be able to get a decent price. I actually saw some on REI's website the other day in the clearance section for like 50% off.

 

[hellfire88]

I have one of these which I used with my Dell 14" laptop (tag says fits up to 15.4" laptops so should fit a Macbook Pro 15" in its built-in laptop sleeve):

http://www.solocases.com/item.aspx?id=1381

(also available in black)
IMHO its very high quality canvas/corduroy material, and the 2 buckles are metal (although the male clip-end is plastic). I got mine locally from a TJ Maxx store for $30. If you have a local Marshalls/TJ Maxx store I highly suggest you check them out as they usually have nice bags (namebrand, I see some Timbuk2 at times) for very good prices.

 

[mcruzader]

Well, I'm currently looking at:
1. http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/medium-messenger-bag-cl55064
2. http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW217ZM/A?n=messenger_bags&fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MTA4MjU3MzY&s=topSellers

I'm not 100% sure which one I'm going to go with at the moment. I'm going to try going to the apple store tomorrow and see if I can't get a peak at both of them and make a decision. I also want to see what the green looks like in real life. I think I've seen the black in real life and it just looks like leather.

I actually was at the Apple Store today and that second Incase is pretty sweet, if I didn't have that many things to carry this would definitely be the bag I would get.

 

[entatlrg]

I just ordered this: http://www.eaglecreek.com/bags_luggage/everyday_backpacks/Universal-Traveler-40506/

The universal Traveler by Eagle Creek.