The Ultimate Laptop Bag?

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Check out the Tom Bihn bags. I have a Brain Cell insert and the ID Messenger bag for my 15" Aluminum PowerBook, and it's the most durable versatile bag I've ever used.

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY dislike my Tom Bihn bag (but I paid $150 for it so, I'm going to use it until it disintegrates). I've had it for about 3 years. There are some inherent design flaws, IMO.

1) The strap has no swivels at the base, it's sewn directly into the core of the bag, while this is a good idea for strength, it's a PITA for throwing the thing on your shoulder quickly. Call it a pet peeve, but when the strap is all twisted up and I have to waste time taking it off my shoulder to untwist it? This is compounded by the shoulder rest pad, if it twists and gets on backwards, you cannot simply swivel the strap like most normal messenger bags, again you have to fiddle with it to get it corrected. Annoying.

2) It doesn't hold as much as I think it should.

3) The top flap should have a bag/zipper for more storage of quick-to-grab items. It doesn't have that.

4) All the clips on it have not broken on me within the last 3 weeks. All of them. WTH?

I will never buy another Tom Bihn bag. It's just not for me. Next time, mine will be a Timbuktu.

 

[TheMasin9]

incase

i have an incase laptop bag for my 15" it has a removable shoulder strap and small side pockets for mouse/power. I love it

 

[IJ Reilly]

I've accumulated quite a collection of bags, having never found the perfect fit for me and my 12" PowerBook. The latest casualty of this quest is a Brenthaven bag, which is custom-designed for the PowerBook. I used it for two years. It is very well made, but has virtually no room for anything else but the laptop. It also doesn't stand up without leaning it against something. This is annoying. The latest entry is an STM Small Drift. It doesn't appear to be as well-made as the Brenthaven, but it has a lot more space and more pockets, though not as conveniently organized. It's got a stabilizer strap, which the Brenthaven lacked. Time will tell if this is the "perfect" bag. Probably not. They all have their flaws.