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What backpack to buy?

I just researched this...

I just upgraded my laptop to a rMBP, and thought it'd be a good time to upgrade my 13 year old backpack while I was at it.

I had it narrowed down to 4 choices:

a) STM Convoy
-------------------
+ solid
+ has a rain cover
+ canvas look isn't "hi-tech"
+ laptop isn't just secure, it's partly hidden
+ good strap + back support engineering
+ in-stock (at Microcenter) for about $80 (I think)
- heavy
- no provision for iPad
- no water bottle holders (side pockets are way too small)
- no good checkbook/passport/boarding pass quick access zipper
- not "TSA-friendly" - thus exposing your laptop to airport scrapes
- 3.5 lbs.

b) Wenger (Swiss Army) Legacy
----------------------------------------
+ is "TSA Friendly" - laptop compartment folds out for easy x-ray screening
+ solid (other than on-line review concerns on the plastic handlegrip)
+ has separate padded compartment for laptop that is seperated from
the bottom of the pack;
+ has an area - though not cushioned - for an iPad
+ has good water bottle holders
+ book compartment big enough for a couple of books and laptop accessory bag
+ in stock (about $80) at Microcenter
+ has cushioned area for sunglasses (not as hard protected as OGIO)
~ 3 lbs.
- no good EXTERNAL checkbook/passport/boarding pass quick access zipper
- looks tech-y
- needs more areas to hold things like power adapters, headphones, etc.

c) Ogio Squadron RSS II
--------------------------------
+ BIG (from what I can tell in pictures) - holds quite a bit.
+ has exceptional laptop protection for small-ish 15" laptops (RSS II)
+ has compartments for EVERYTHING
+ has well-protected sunglasses compartment
+ has iPhone holder in arm strap
+ good water-bottle holders
- PRICEY - $140 retail, (there's a discount code that makes it ~$100)
- Not available in black - sold out everywhere
- not available in local stores
- not "TSA-friendly" - thus exposing your laptop to airport scrapes
- 3.5 lbs

d) Brookhaven Pacific
+ light - 2 lbs!
+ has decently padded laptop area
+ has nicely padded iPad area
+ available in-stock for (by memory) about $80 at Microcenter
- small
- not "TSA-friendly" - thus exposing your laptop to airport scrapes

I went with the Wenger Legacy. I don't fly incredibly often, but I really hate the mayhem at security screening, and like the idea of both making that easier and keeping my laptop secure from both scrapes and casual theft.

I has a separate cable "screened bag" that I'm carrying over from my old backpack to hold the inevitable collection of VGA, HDMI, USB, Ethernet cables / adapters, backup disk, iPad power supply, etc. etc.

It's lacking a nice place to put the rMBP power supply and power cord, but I guess I'll live with that.
 
Exponent said:
I just upgraded my laptop to a rMBP, and thought it'd be a good time to upgrade my 13 year old backpack while I was at it.

I had it narrowed down to 4 choices:

a) STM Convoy
-------------------
+ solid
+ has a rain cover
+ canvas look isn't "hi-tech"
+ laptop isn't just secure, it's partly hidden
+ good strap + back support engineering
+ in-stock (at Microcenter) for about $80 (I think)
- heavy
- no provision for iPad
- no water bottle holders (side pockets are way too small)
- no good checkbook/passport/boarding pass quick access zipper
- not "TSA-friendly" - thus exposing your laptop to airport scrapes
- 3.5 lbs.

b) Wenger (Swiss Army) Legacy
----------------------------------------
+ is "TSA Friendly" - laptop compartment folds out for easy x-ray screening
+ solid (other than on-line review concerns on the plastic handlegrip)
+ has separate padded compartment for laptop that is seperated from
the bottom of the pack;
+ has an area - though not cushioned - for an iPad
+ has good water bottle holders
+ book compartment big enough for a couple of books and laptop accessory bag
+ in stock (about $80) at Microcenter
+ has cushioned area for sunglasses (not as hard protected as OGIO)
~ 3 lbs.
- no good EXTERNAL checkbook/passport/boarding pass quick access zipper
- looks tech-y
- needs more areas to hold things like power adapters, headphones, etc.

c) Ogio Squadron RSS II
--------------------------------
+ BIG (from what I can tell in pictures) - holds quite a bit.
+ has exceptional laptop protection for small-ish 15" laptops (RSS II)
+ has compartments for EVERYTHING
+ has well-protected sunglasses compartment
+ has iPhone holder in arm strap
+ good water-bottle holders
- PRICEY - $140 retail, (there's a discount code that makes it ~$100)
- Not available in black - sold out everywhere
- not available in local stores
- not "TSA-friendly" - thus exposing your laptop to airport scrapes
- 3.5 lbs

d) Brookhaven Pacific
+ light - 2 lbs!
+ has decently padded laptop area
+ has nicely padded iPad area
+ available in-stock for (by memory) about $80 at Microcenter
- small
- not "TSA-friendly" - thus exposing your laptop to airport scrapes

I went with the Wenger Legacy. I don't fly incredibly often, but I really hate the mayhem at security screening, and like the idea of both making that easier and keeping my laptop secure from both scrapes and casual theft.

I has a separate cable "screened bag" that I'm carrying over from my old backpack to hold the inevitable collection of VGA, HDMI, USB, Ethernet cables / adapters, backup disk, iPad power supply, etc. etc.

It's lacking a nice place to put the rMBP power supply and power cord, but I guess I'll live with that.
Click to expand...

Use the coupon on the other thread and get the OGIO Renegade for $96. Great case.
 
charlieegan3 said:
I have an alloy backpack and its really good, great quality, very satisifed.
Click to expand...

I have to admit, I'm not a fan of the metallic look, but the alloy line is essentially the same as their other bookbags, just made with that... metallic looking material (what is it exactly? the website doesn't say, and I can't find it in local stores). Which model do you have? They have it in their regular Backpack, their Compact, the Range, and their Campus models. Even though I don't like the finish, I'm sure the craftsmanship would be the same between the alloy line and its regular cousins. Is the Alloy you have weatherproofed?

http://goincase.com/products/category/Bags
 
MBrandonLee said:
I just got this and it's incredible. I have no doubt that my backpack will take care of my rMBP.

Use coupon code: baddeley for 40% off your order.
Click to expand...

Good to hear! It really is an amazing backpack! I got lucky and got mine for free from warranty
 
gokart mozart said:
I have a nice expandable leather bag that I use for traveling, but leather doesn't exactly do well with rain. It is great for traveling as a carry-on bag, though.
Click to expand...

I think it is mainly made using wax canvas, so It is water repellent.
 
gokart mozart said:
I have to admit, I'm not a fan of the metallic look, but the alloy line is essentially the same as their other bookbags, just made with that... metallic looking material (what is it exactly? the website doesn't say, and I can't find it in local stores). Which model do you have? They have it in their regular Backpack, their Compact, the Range, and their Campus models. Even though I don't like the finish, I'm sure the craftsmanship would be the same between the alloy line and its regular cousins. Is the Alloy you have weatherproofed?

http://goincase.com/products/category/Bags
Click to expand...

I have the regular one that takes a 17" machine.
 
MBrandonLee said:
What was wrong with your last bag that you were able to get it for free?
Click to expand...

I had a cheaper model ogio backpack that had some stitching issues so a few holes on the strap and on the bottom. They no longer made that backpack so the representative told me to pick whichever one I want. The squadron rss is a great backpack. I've had no issues in the many months I've had it
 
MacGurl111 said:
I like this one. I like Booq!! :D

Have you looked into the Northface backpack? "Surge" is great. There are 4 different compartments, if you want to count the very front pocket with the buckle. The last one is for the laptop. It has padding on the back and beneath for protection. :)

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/surge_3.html


We have the black one. :D
Click to expand...

I bought the same from here.... for $89

http://www.ebags.com/product/the-north-face/surge/152265?productid=10143699

:D
 
Timbuk2

I just bought a Timbuk2 Knockout with X-pac black/reflective white/X-pac black. Hand stitched in SF, lifetime warranty, perfectly sized for the rMBP, highly reflective when worn on commuter bike or Vespa, and perfect ergonomics for my 170# 5-11 frame.
 
I bought a Copper River Voyager bag for my new rMBP and love it. It also has a 100 year warranty but doesn't cost near as much as the saddlebackleather.com bag yet it also used saddle leather for its bags. They take over a month to make and ship so be prepared to wait and they are handmade so there are cutting and sewing "character imperfections" that I know are part of my bag but I don't normally notice on any given day.

If anyone is interested:

http://copperriverbags.com/15-Voyager-Bag.html
 
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