Another one of those "What bag should I get?" threads.

Before you get started, I have spent the last 2 hours browsing ebags.com to not much prevail. When I find a bag I like there isnt really enough infomation or some reviews says my laptop wont fit into it. So I'm looking for peoples opinions on bags they currently have/had or have used.
My price range is anything under 70 dollars.
What I need:

1.Backpack style, not over one shoulder etc.
2.Dark Color
3.Very good protection for my notebook.
4. Comfortability
5. Enough room for AC Adapter and other notebook essentials.

What I want:

1. Black or black w/ grey trim or along that sort.
2. Able to carry school text books.
3. Sturdiness
4. Easy access to notebook.

What doesn't matter:

1. number of pockets
2. specialty pockets ( mp3 player pocket and such)


I have read about the Ogio Metro and Metroid and have seen reviews which lead to the laptop being hard to put in the sleeve. So I don't really want one of those. My notebook is located in my sig, Dell Inspiron E1505.

If someone can point me to some In Depth bag reviews, that would be great. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

You sound like a candidate for the Samsonite Sport Pack:

http://www.ebags.com/samsonite/laptop_sport_backpack/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=41896

Dell also rebrands this bag and sells it. Maybe you can find some discussion on it on the Dell forums. Otherwise, I'm sure a simple google will get you some reviews.

Good luck.

 

That bag looks decent, but many of the reviews on ebags say that the straps arent very comfortable. How safe is it to put 3 or 4 text books into a laptop bag with the laptop in it?

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cu...245331-3243919?ie=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics

I just looked at this one, seems to have great reviews, but its rated for a 17 inch notebook. Would my 15 inch widescreen still fit in it well without being too loose? Opinions please .

 

It depends on how big the books are and how you treat the bag. I personally wouldn't want three of my Physics Book on top of my laptop, but if the bag is standing up or on my back it isn't a big deal. Just be sure not to slam your bag around too much and it should be ok.

 

I have noticed that all the backpacks just say there are "sleeves" for the laptop. are there any backpacks with a casing (sturdy, firm casing) to put the laptop into?

 

You can consider getting a notebook sleeve for your notebook. That will give the notebook a little more protection when in the bag. As long as you take care and don't slam the bag around, your notebook should be fine.

 

The best sleeve I've seen for a notebook like that is the Apple InCase 15.4" notebook sleeve. My girlfriend has the D820 (similar shape to the E1505) and it fits like a glove.

 

alright i'll look into the sleeves. would the sleeves themselves fit into the backpack sleeve? i would just like to keep my laptop as safe as possible.

 

A sleeve will fit into the Targus XL (backpack you mentioned above) as I have the Targus XL and a sleeve for my 17" Toshiba and it fits perfectly. There are more pockets then I can fill and it will hold a number of books. I tested with my old course load of books from my 20+ credit days and it holds all the books (6 total and none of them under 1.5" thick), the ac adapter, spare battery, notebook cooler (spire pacific breeze), other assorted cables and cd cases, and the Logitech g5 mouse

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834990016
take a look at that, i have that bag and its really nice. it has padding for th elaptop and has room for the cords as well. it fits my Acer 5672 and my bytecc cooling pad along with the cords and a serge protecter with no problem. it also has alot of pockets so i can hold anything u need it to. i def recommend it.

 

So far the Targus XL seems to be my favorite one. My only concern is will my notebook be completely safe if I fill the backpack up with books. Should I invest in a sleeve? If so, can someone give me a link to a sturdy sleeve.

 

So far the Targus XL seems to be my favorite one. My only concern is will my notebook be completely safe if I fill the backpack up with books. Should I invest in a sleeve? If so, can someone give me a link to a sturdy sleeve.

 

Sorry meant to do that in my earlier post. This is the company that I used for my sleeve. It is very nice and has an adequate amount of padding.

 

These are some sleeve companies that I like:

 

I'd add one more http://www.becase.com