New laptop bag
 

Well I have been traveling with the same Trager laptop backpack bag for the past 10 years. Couple of weeks ago, I saw one of the seems go out. Today I saw distress in an area that looks like it will fail in the next couple of weeks.

Not sure if I want a backpack again or just a briefcase type bag for the laptop.

I usually carry a PSP, a power inverter, a book, the laptop(wide screen now), a notebook and all of the wires to charge/power all of my toys.

I have considered something that I could also pack overnight clothes in.

What do you guys carry your gear in?

Thanks,


JAB

shouldn't this be in travel technolog?

Do a search in there and you will find stacks of answers.

/E

Please follow this thread in the Travel Technology Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

I've been satisfied with a Case Logic similar to this one. Just noticed the 25 year warranty (not sure about coverage details):
http://www.caselogic.com/17_classic_...?modelid=70107

I have a tumi leather one and love it. It was from the outlets, I have a smaller screen laptop and they were dumping those to carry wide screen models.

I prefer a backpack. recently bought one with a couple of compartments..
a good bag for a weekend trip with your tools and clothes.

I have a Kensington Contour which I really like. I have had it about a year and would buy another one. They make one for wider screens (17") as well.

After using shoulder bags and backpacks for years, I've recently started using a laptop bag with wheels.
I got a Travelpro one (I think it's the first one of these)
http://www.travelpro.com/rolling_com...utercases.html from Macy's where it was heavily discounted.

Lots of companys make similar bags though. The Swiss Army branded ones look particularly slick.

The wheels are such an advantage - my neck doesn't hurt after a trip any more, and now I don't care how long the walk to and from the gate is.

I tried a backpack for awhile. Functionaly it was great and I liked it much better than a regular case. I got rid of it after carrying it into several meetings. I just felt like it didn't look quite right (kinda "studenty"). I dont think Id go as far as saying "unprofessional" though.

I just did a similar switch, From a shoulder bag to a samsonite case with handle and wheels. It takes a 16" laptop and everything else i need for a trip. http://www.samsonite.com/se/en/local...roduct=56N*332

I sometimes use a Tumi Balance Backpack, Louis Vuitton Odessa computer bag, and recently got a Tumi LXT Innovation Slim case. I like to mix it up depending upon my mood or client.

After several years the Tumi backpack is showing signs of wear and the zippers are coming apart or getting stuck in certain places. Other than that I like the backpack as it looks a bit more structured / modern than most packs. Reminds me a jet pack. I don't use it when wearing an overcoat and /or suit though.

well then the next best option would be a shoulder bag with a nicely padded
strap. I avoid leather because the bag itself gets too heavy.

I got a Brenthaven Fusion recently http://brenthaven.com/catalog-fusion-black.html

It's a messenger bag sort of style, but in black it doesn't look "unprofessional", and it's not really jumbo size, more of a cross between messenger bag and standard shoulder bag computer case. It would carry all the stuff you're talking about (except for clothes, doesn't expand enough for that I don't think) and protect the laptop well. That said, the amount of stuff you mention sounds pretty heavy, and a backpack certainly would carry it in a more balanced way. The Fusion carries my laptop (15" Apple MacBook Pro) pretty comfortably for a shoulder bag, though.

Brenthaven makes nice backpacks too, though much more expensive. http://brenthaven.com/catalog-backpacks.html They talk in terms of Apple laptop sizes, but they can fit many different varieties of laptop with no trouble. (I bought a second one for an HP that someone else at the office is using.) They're by no means the only game in quality gear as there are many great choices out there. But in terms of a shoulder bag I thought the Fusion was a very good combo of size, protection, price and styling.

I have had one of these for a few years.

http://us.samsonite.com/webapp/us/se...ngId=-1&pc=C30

I like the room and the ease of removing the laptop for security. There is room to put in a pair of pants and shirt if you need to do so. Plus it has wheels it you have too many books inside!

If you go with a shoulder bag or backpack, check out Crumpler. These bags take anything I can throw at them. I have a Crumpler laptop backpack that works well along with the Part and Parcel:

http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a...reviews&id=670