17" laptop Backpack: High Sierra Randolph + Case PC Sleeve review

High Sierra Randolph:
http://www.ebags.com/high_sierra/randolph/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=127781

CasePC extra large sleeve:
http://www.ebags.com/casepc/laptop_sleeve_extra_large/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=83295

Case PC review:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=48605

I was looking to find a backpack that could hold My Dell Precision M90 or Precision M6400. I wanted the backpack to have a laptop sleeve that would fully protect the laptop, and such aa laptop has been hard to find.
The other two contenders were targus TXL617 and swiss gear ibex.

The Targus TXL617 has a good size, but its flimsy.

The Ibex Swiss gear is well made but 1) It seems a tad bit small (I prefer sufficient clearance so that zippers etc dont hit the laptop) 2) the padding could go up higher and 3) does not seem to have a hip belt or chest strap.

The the newly released High Sierra randolph caught my eye, with its 1680 Denier Ballistic Polyester, and its laptop panel. I was really hoping that the removable laptop sleeve would be able to hold the laptop, as that sleeve seemed to provide the best protection amongst its competitors.
Plus, there is a 25% cashback promotion for ebags from live.com going on right now.

The pros: The backpack is very well made. Higher quality than the usual high sierra fare. The fabric of the laptop is really sturdy. The zippers are massive metal zippers. It also has a bunch of compartments.

The con: The sleeve is too small for the precision M90 and the M6400. Actually the M6400 can be wrestled in, but it takes a significant amount of effort and time. A pity since the laptop compartment can itself take a bigger sleeve.

I then got the casePC exta large sleeve to put into the laptop compartment of the backpack, and it fit !!
A liitle bit of coaxing is required to close the zippers, but not too much (basically the corners of the sleeve hit the zipper edge, but the laptop sits well below the sleeve top so its not much of an issue)

The M90 fits quite easily in the sleeve, a slightly bigger laptop would also fit (but not too much bigger).
The casePC sleeve is also very nice. the bottom two corners have "tough polyesters wrapped bumpers" for absorbing impacts (the bumpers are quite hard). The sleeve also has a velvet lined interior, but the edges of the sleeve have tough fabric overlaps, so I dont see the point of the velvet.
I love that the sleeve is top loading, so optimal for putting in backpacks, and that it does not have a zipper so laptop wont get scratched. Usual size loading sleeves are not suited for putting in backpacks as they leave the sides relatively unprotected.
The velcro on sleeve is also really strong and high quality


I was able to fit in the M90 laptop in the casePC sleeve, 2 big 24oz cereal boxes, and 3 smaller 16oz cereal boxes. The 1 gallon jug is for comparison

See the attached pictures. The pciture of the backpack with the milk jug beside it is where everything is inside the backpack. The sleeve besides the laptop in the 4th picture is the sleeve included with the backpack

Dimensions: Dell Precision M90: 394mmx288mmx41mm
Big cereal box: 285x195x75mm
Smaller cereal box: 240x160x55mm

 

Hey there!

The *mini review* was very informative, and you took some great photos! Also the feedback on the other backpacks will help other potential purchasers!

Glad it's working out for you!

Kudos!

Cin

 

Now I know what backpack to take if I want to go off far away eating cereal while I work on my laptop

 

I used the cereal boxes to give an idea about how much stuff the backpack could carry, where the objects were rectangular like books. Cereal boxes seemed to provide a standard size.

 

The JanSport Adrenaline Series Boost Backpack is supposed to fit a 17" laptop and it has padded sleeve. You might want to check it out.