Slim, light, briefcase? Packing cube briefcase?
 

I'm looking for recommendations for a slim, light briefcase. Really, a packing cube briefcase would be great.

What I want:
-large enough to hold a 13" laptop (e.g mac book air.)
-slim (ideally 3 inches deep) - size wise a medium ebags packing cube is perfect.
-Light weight, no padding, minimal compartments & organization (1 is enough)
-basic handles, d-ring to attach a shoulder strap.


Why?
It's for a bag that lives inside my larger ebags convertible when in transit, but I use at my destination. I'm currently using a promotional bag like this one (https://www.buypromosonline.com/Brie...ief-Bag/p-6135) that I've converted the built in shoulder strap to attachment points. But the polypro construction doesn't last more than a couple trips.
In transit, the bag lives in the front pocket of convertible and holds my in transit needs. This way I 1-bag it when moving around, but store the larger bag overhead. It's effectively a packing cube.
At my destination it turns into a day-conference bag. I move the shoulder strap from my convertible to it, and it holds a laptop, a cable, a water bottle, and whatever else I need during the day while my convertible stays at my hotel. Internal organization is duplicative, since a small packing cube or other organization can fit to the specific needs, and laptop padding is provided by a sleeve.
The brief needs to be slim to fit inside the front pocket of the convertible. And otherwise minimalist since I don't want to carry extra weight/features I don't need. I'm really looking for something simple, rather than heavy fabric, piping and lots of internal structure.

Any suggestions?

Check out the "Amazon basics" line. Someone else recommended it here and it's pretty decent. Very well thought design, fits your minimalist requirements and pretty cheaply.

Case Logic has some nice, relatively inexpensive bags:

http://www.caselogic.com/en-us/us/pr...a_-_114_-_gray

I now pair up a Timbuk2 messenger bag (XS-sized, discontinued model) with TLS Motherlode 22" Convertible, on its outside compartible/pocket - fit nicely as I usually don't overpack. It's large enough for iPad or Nexus 7 tablet w. BT keyboard and other day needs, 12 or 16 oz. bottle or insulated tumbler, etc. The interior zippered pockets & pouch are ideal for storing earbuds, usb drives, cables & charger, etc.

For a MB, you might want to look into getting a "S" sized Classic Messenger Bag in black as they are not heavily padded unlike those designed for laptop, and the adjustable strap is removable. Whether that blend into your line of work & settings is something you can answer. http://www.timbuk2.com/classic-messe...1_color%3D2000

I've posted the pix before in other similar thread, here it is to help you visualize it - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...rryon-Trio.jpg

I have 2 (vertical) STM Bags but they are too "rigid" for travel but offer great protection with its foam padding, just too bulky & no room for water bottle.

How much do you have to underpack to fit the timbuk2 messenger? the specifications all list 5+ inch depths...so you'd have to make sure the messenger is packed flat... I use a messenger often, but for conference and such, I don't like the messenger style as much. (handles that don't require closing the bag to use are nice, so is no velcro so bags don't make noise.

Are there amazonbasics ones that aren't padded? I kind of don't want the padded laptop focused bag that those and the caselogic ones seem to be. For their depth, they offer little flexibility. I.e. it's ideal if it's a bag that can hold both a laptop and, say, an apple. The laptop doesn't need built in protection - I tend to use a thin neoprene sleeve. But, I suppose if I can do laptop + apple, and still fit a padded bag into the front pocket, I could do without the sleeve.

expensive but pretty good layout.

http://www.tumi.com/product/index.js...2Bto%2B14%2522


http://www.zappos.com/tumi-bedford-jefferson-slim-brief

Quick answer, not by much - if at all. I sometimes take out the iPad or tablet to reduce bulk.

The key deciding factor is how & where you plan to bring that personal bag or day bag into (and, certainly not the board room, etc. - trade shows & conferences are fine for me) - I would go with a basic black one. Assumed that you are using the Motherlode TLS 22" Convertible - if & when it is not overpacked & overstuffed, there's plenty of space to fit a messenger bag or any soft-sided shoulder bag on the outside compartment, without excessive compression with the straps - or make it bulky like a whale. My Bag is a smaller one that will fit, very tightly, a Sony Viao 11.6" netbook prefered on most trips (over the 14" Dell) - the "package" is about 3.5" thick - it's smaller than a medium eBag packing cube (loved them & have plenty of them to mix-n-match)

The "S" Classic Bag will easily compress to fit and should be ideal for the MB - just double check the specs. I used nylon/zip pouches to keep some items together, so it's quick & easy to move them around before boarding or after hitting the terminal off the jetbridge - while the TLS stayed in the OH bin in-flight. The tablet is usually all I need for shorter flights along with inline earbuds. I also use a neoprene sleeve for the netbook/notebook, especially when storing it in the "hidden" back compartable to keep them in near new conditions and avoid scratches. Pack your contents into a medium packing tube, it will slip easily right inside the U-shaped zipped section and disappear.

Check eBay for deals, should be pleasantly surprised to find a pre-owned or even new ones without tags for as much as 50% off retail pricing. But, there are times & places where it called for using the good old Coach Beekman briefcase. For urban/weekend errands, the Bag is a better fit vs. shouldering a STM laptop/messenger or other "high profile" ones that draw attention to what's inside.

I use a WaterField Designs Sleevecase with shoulder straps for a similar purpose as to the one you mentioned. It's a little thinner, but that helps the case spend half its time inside my Tom Bihn Tri-Star.

http://www.sfbags.com/products/sleev...leevecases.php

edit: Since you mentioned basically wanting a packing cube with shoulder straps, here's one from a company I really like:
http://www.tombihn.com/PROD/TB0921.html

I was hoping for something with slightly more capacity than the water filed sleeves. I don't think I could fit a paperback or an apple in one with my laptop.

The tom binh packing cube shoulder bag is close. But my laptop is about 1.25" taller and wider. And the fabric choices, at least for now aren't reasonable for me. (A solid muted color?)

Depth wise, the tumi slim items come close to what I want (3" deep). They are a little bigger than I had in mind @ 16x12 (If I were customizing, I'd probably be close to 14x10, or slightly smaller.)
See, for example. http://www.tumi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4209925

But the weight seems overkill. 2lbs 10 ounces. Really? (of course, I could do without all the leather accents, laptop protection, and most of the internal organization...) Not to mention the price.

I wondered about a bag/case for my MacBook Air as well. As I'm heading down the one-bag route but I'll need a case that's strong enough to prevent the MBA from being crushed when the bag is full and its forced into the front pocket. Crushing it will leave marks on the screen from the keyboard keys. I haven't found a suitable hard side case yet so may need to two bag but not with my current Alpha which is too big.

That's a completely different use than mine. In the back pocket crushing never seems an issue, but I'm looking for a bag that doesn't have structure or laptop protection. Plus, if the bag is full enough to crush the laptop with minimal protection then the space for lots of protection seems unavailable.

Are you on STP's Sunday mailing list. You can get 30% off on this:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/bri...p-bags~d~67%2F

These are great and inexpensive. Not quite as classy as Tumi, but they work for me and I work regularly with CEOs and senior execs of global companies.

Case Logic AUA-314:
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-AUA...e+Logic+VNA214

or if you want it a little less deep:

Case Logic VNA214:
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-VNA...e+Logic+VNA214

or

Sounds like you really want a cheapo Tyvek/Polypropylene or similar bag like what are handed out at trade shows. Check out discountmugs.com and you can get samples without logos for like $5.

I used to carry one of these packed in my TravelPro Crew 9 20" so I could keep the laptop in the front compartment and still have something to carry when going in to clients. Unfortunately the weight in the front of the Travelpro made it prone to tipping and I ended up ditching the laptop all together for a Surface Pro (that now resides on top in an Amazon Basics 11.6" bag).