ok, I hope this question hasn't been discussed too much in the past - my (admittedly superficial) search didn't turn up good results on FT.
What I'm looking for is a new briefcase (yes Till, you got me!) and I'm looking into different options and in particular something like the B&R Expandable Executive Brief.
I love the expandable brief since it looks good enough for an overnight stay worth of clothes and it looks great in other ways, too.
The only thing I was wondering about is the TSA bag option: The non-expandable version folds flat and allows for the notebook staying in the bag. The expandable version does not fold flat and instead has a notebook sleeve that you can keep connected to the bag so that it slides out almost all the way.
Now, I agree that the TSA bags are mainly a marketing gag and don't save all that much time but what I like about them is that they keep my stuff together, so that I don't run the risk in leaving anything behind when the notorious TSA guy starts doing what they seem to be doing best - shouting at people to hurry up...
From this perspective, does any one use the B&R with this "slide out" sleeve and knows if it works to not disconnect the sleeve from the bag?
Other than that, do you have tips for a great briefcase? The requirement is: it should slide over the handle of my carry-on spinner, don't "look too big" but be big enough to carry a projector, my notebook and a few cables etc...
Well, once you take the sleeve out of the bag it is separated and you are left to your own devices to remember it. Or are you talking about a particular bag here? If so which one? Linky? I guess BR calls their TSA models Speed-Thru. On my BB107 there is a sleeve for the computer. That sleeve sits in its own compartment. It is attached with a zip. The compartment opens fairly wide but I cannot imagine that it opens wide enough to take the sleeve out while it is zipped in. Unfortunately, right now, I can't even find the darn sleeve. Or I'd try it out for you.
So staying connected is the only advantage I could see to the TSA bags. Probably chances of forgetting it are lower if you go through a certain ritual or install a mental link "bag-computer, computer-bag". If there is one there must be the other or something is wrong.
The Tumi 26141 is probably one of the best engineered briefcases out there. It fulfills all your requirements - well, don't know what kind of PJ you lug around. The T500 Mvision by EZM is a 26141 Tumi on steroids and for less money. Both are worth a look.
In a briefcase I search for a number of things. Among the most important are that it is easy to access each compartment, that there are many outside compartments for small stuff so you don't have to dig inside the bag and that there is at least one slip pocket for magazines and journals.
The Tumi has all these (so does the T500) and it looks fairly small. Somehow it looks "manly", too, which may or may not be a good thing. It's a design icon if you ask me.
It has a laptop sleeve which can be attached to the bag so you can take the sleeve out but it is still attached to the bag. Hard to explain, looks a bit strange in reality so I was wondering if it works...
I like the idea of a "personal SOP" for approaching the checkpoint and making sure that I don't forget anything. In fact, that's what I'm doing half ways, so let me think of how o perfect that.
So yes, I had a look at the Tumi. I like it but the bag and I didn't immediately 'click'.
The T500 looks really really interesting. I was trying to find it. Am currently in NYC, any ideas where I could try? (Tried 2 or 3 shops even the Brookstone at the Rock but couldn't find it yet
the Brookstone you linked to is the one I recently saw in an airport Brookstone store. I am not even sure it is on EZM's site except for the fact that they mention they also make a model for Brookstone.
It is not the T500 and not the smaller T300, either. The T models have both upper accessory flaps as magnetic flaps, which I really like. They do use the same roller as all the EZM bags. The roller is even lighter than the Sammy Micromover and really diminutive in size.
At $255 for the top model with roller it is still way cheaper than the Tumi and even more tricked out. I particularly like the removable and customizable accessory panel. What a brilliant idea! Size is almost identical to the Tumi 26141. Given that it has three compartments the notebook and PJ could each get one. The Tumi only has 2 compartments, even the bigger 26160 model has only two. Both Tumi models are expandable though which the T500 isn't.
As I said in my post, if I didn't have the Tumi plus a BB107 plus several other briefcases plus a Micromover already, I'd gladly jump on the T500. But if I do, my loved ones will have me booked in a certain facility...
This whole project is getting tricky: their website throws an error when I try to buy the bag online. I will try to call them tomorrow and see if they are still selling their bags...
Had a look at the 26141 again today. Stupid question but where do you keep your bording passes? In the bigger of the two front bags? Or do you have an extra wallet for that? (That's actually one thing I really liked about the B&R - they have the little bag for the boarding pass right in the front, seems to be the exact right size, also like their magazin back-pocket solution)
Anyways will let you know what happens to the T500...
Hm, I am curious to know what EZM has to say. We know they are still operating or that bag wouldn't be in the Brookstone stores.
I actually keep my boarding pass in my passport in my interior jacket pocket. I try to keep this kind of stuff as close as possible to my body. In principle, I'd have to keep it in my trouser pockets but often they are not big enough.
I have not yet used the little orange pocket on my two BR bags but I sure like the idea.
On the Tumi, there are several places where you can keep it. One is the pocket you mention. By the way, that pocket contains a little pouch that is fixed with an elastic spiral cord (like the one on phone receivers) and a carbabiner. It is quite a big pocket actually. It also has a super save flat zippered pocket inside of it; kind of a secret compartment.
The 26141 has two outside slip pockets; three if you count the handle sleeve pocket that can be closed on top and bottom. These pockets are great to quickly throw something in there and totally forget that it's there. Like I did with my house, car, safe keys once. Very bad situation. The front pocket has a little elastic pocket that is probably there for a cell phone. The rear pocket has a long gusseted, velcroed pocket that has the ideal shape for the standard long boarding passes. This pocket also looks like it's made from a water resistant material so it might be the umbrella pocket.
You see, there are so many pockets and compartments on that thing that you really have to come up with a system of your own lest you totally lose yourself in the bag.
That's why passport, wallet, tickets and back-up USB drive stay on my body. I do use the key hook in the bag sometimes. It's in that big compartment mentioned above. But, for security reasons it is not such a good idea, either. The stuff in my bag allows one to find out my home address easily. Then they get the home address and the keys. Not good.
However, I found that compartment is also big enough for both my in-flight bag and my 311 bag. So that's what it gets used for mostly. It also fits my Canon G9 very well.
Also, there are a lot of discussions on laptop bags in the technology forum, including this bag. I suspect a search there would turn up a lot. Laptop bags specifically are a bit of a topic overlap between the two forums. I believe that ScottC, one of the moderators of the Travel Tech forum raved about this bag, but I could be mistaken on that. It looks very nice though.
__________________
"And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row"
I think the TB model is about the worst of those TSA laptop bag designs. I've said that already on OBOW when they featured it. The clip thing is good for unclipping but is a pain for clipping it back together. You will need both hands and a support for the bag. Plus the computer is in between the two other sides of the bag which means you have to unfold the whole shebang when you want to actually take it out. What were they thinking?
The usual zippered clam shell design is already a hassle but this design tops it.
Really the only advantage I see to these bags is that you are less likely to leave your laptop behind accidentally.
Taking a sleeve out of a zippered compartment and putting it back in can be accomplished with a single hand easily. That alone should tell us about which method has the superior ergonomics.
For s super lightweight and inconspicuous laptop sleeve that passes as TSA pouch, try a padded poly envelope. It's what I use mostly. Protects against shocks and moisture, doesn't look like a computer sleeve (no attention from thieves), can be written on, saves space and weight in your bag, is easily replaceable and has a secondary use if needed. It also holds up very well.
I think the TB model is about the worst of those TSA laptop bag designs. I've said that already on OBOW when they featured it. The clip thing is good for unclipping but is a pain for clipping it back together. You will need both hands and a support for the bag. Plus the computer is in between the two other sides of the bag which means you have to unfold the whole shebang when you want to actually take it out. What were they thinking?
The usual zippered clam shell design is already a hassle but this design tops it.
Really the only advantage I see to these bags is that you are less likely to leave your laptop behind accidentally.
Taking a sleeve out of a zippered compartment and putting it back in can be accomplished with a single hand easily. That alone should tell us about which method has the superior ergonomics.
For s super lightweight and inconspicuous laptop sleeve that passes as TSA pouch, try a padded poly envelope. It's what I use mostly. Protects against shocks and moisture, doesn't look like a computer sleeve (no attention from thieves), can be written on, saves space and weight in your bag, is easily replaceable and has a secondary use if needed. It also holds up very well.
Till
Yes, I can see your point about that. I haven't been too compelled to get a special laptop bag. I keep all of my notebooks in Waterfield Design laptop sleeves (oops need to order one for the new netbook) and I just take the whole thing out without taking it out of the sleeve and put it in a bucket or directly on the belt. No problems thus far. I really recommend the Waterfield Design sleeves. You can also clip a small pouch or two and a shoulder strap on them making them very flexible. Again, Waterfield Design is discussed a fair bit in the Travel Tech forum. Great products and fantastic customer support.
__________________
"And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row"
For s super lightweight and inconspicuous laptop sleeve that passes as TSA pouch, try a padded poly envelope. It's what I use mostly. Protects against shocks and moisture, doesn't look like a computer sleeve (no attention from thieves), can be written on, saves space and weight in your bag, is easily replaceable and has a secondary use if needed. It also holds up very well.
Till
sounds like we have a similar system, Till. I use a plain document holder which has a built-in handle and is very light and then I put my computer in a bubble-wrap envelope inside the document holder. The overall arrangement is VERY light, very cheap, very durable, very computer-protective (including completely waterproof), takes up less space (depth) than any computer sleeve I have seen and is easily removed for screening.
I like that idea. Minimalist and yet versatile. I don't take the computer out of the envelope, either, I must specify. The envelope goes on the TSA belt with or without a bin (usually with). Has not been opened or looked at one single time.
I am currently debating if it would make sense to have a smaller, sleeve-like briefcase that lives inside my bigger briefcase instead of the supplied laptop sleeve. Unfortunately it is really hard to find something in the right dimensions.
The idea would be that I could use the smaller bag to go to meetings instead of the bigger and heavier one. I could use the shoulder strap of the bigger bag on the smaller one. The other possibility this would open up is using the small briefcase inside a onebag solution; like gadgetfreak is currently trying out with the Skytrain and Metro.
While both sound like good ideas at first approach, a critical look will show some conceptual problems. The briefcase in briefcase idea is simply redundant and my 26141 isn't that heavy, either. So the time and money spent on finding another briefcase is probably not worth it.
The onebag thing is more tempting. BUT the weight is a problem here. When you add the 13" macbook with PSU and even a small briefcase you come up to 6lb easily. That is weight that kicks a do-able 18lb onebag to a less do-able 24lb onebag for shoulder carry.
So I am not sure if it even makes sense.
In Patk's thread, I thought the method we came up with was quite smart. A rolling computer briefcase and a soft shoulder bag or tri-fold garment bag.
The computer case will always pass as personal item and most relevant stuff is in there, so no chance of losing it. The soft shoulder bag won't have to be gate checked unless it's an extreme case. It also fits into the overhead easier. When walking around you can still piggyback the shoulder bag on the briefcase and the weight should be quite evenly distributed among the two, probably both around 15lb.
If the computer case has a detachable roller like the Mvision and McKlein models, even better.
I am looking forward to trying this method using my Tumi 26141, the BR 235x and the Micromover cart. It's kind of pieced together but should still deliver the same effect.
I have only been asked to remove the computer from the document holder once in many trips (including through the USA and that was in Hawaii - go figure?!) and then when I did, they did not ask me to remove it from the plastic bubble wrap.
Hi everyone, just a quick update that I managed to order T500. I expect it to be at my home once I'm back from my next trip.
I will post some pics and a short review then.
Wow, great! That is the best news of my day so far. (Don't ask...)
I am really looking forward to your review. Be real critical, ok? Tear it apart and don't say one good thing about it, otherwise I might get even more tempted.
Just a really brief update: The bag arrived (finally ). I haven't really had any time to check it out but I will do so and post a review in the days to come.
Just a very few first impressions:
1) WELL - THOUGHT - THROUGH
2) VERY solid (read HEAVY)
3) Really nice design/layout.
The organizer panel, pocket layout etc seems to be superb. It has a lot of really nice features. Again, will talk about it a bit more later. But all that comes at a price: weight. I don't have a scale at home but if weight is an issue, think of something else.
It's a design icon if you ask me.
