Backpack for a 15.4"

I have a 15.4" laptop and am looking for a backpack. It seems that most agree that Mobile Edge makes great, comfortable backpacks. I was leaning towards their premium backpack, but the lack of a bottle holder is a big negative. I'm going to use this backpack for carrying my laptop, some textbooks, spirals, an umbrella, and a water bottle. Anyone have some useful suggestions? Comfortable shoulder straps are very important to me.

 

I just saw thier express backpack. It has a bottle holder. What is the difference between the express and the premium?

 

Consider the Heys Epac. It's durable, comes with a 10 year warranty and is $60 CDN on the site. I got mine for $19.95 at Winners though =P

 

What do you use yours for?

 

A couple of more questions if you don't mind. Is it waterproof or water resistant? How much extra room does it have for books, etc. with the laptop in it? Where could I find some reviews? Thanks.

 

I will also recommend the Heys ePac15.
I own the ePac17 for my 17" notebook and I think it's a great backpack.

What exactly do you mean what do we use it for? I use it whenever I need to bring my notebook with me. So whenever I travel I use it or when I need to bring my notebook with me to class I use it.

Is it waterproof or water resistant? I'm not exactly sure what you mean here. It's waterproof, as in you can go out in the rain with it and it will keep your things dry (as most backpacks would). If you throw your backpack in a river... well water will get in through the zippers and other small holes... So it's waterproof like most other backpacks.

As for the capacity:
Packing Capacity: 35 Litres ( 2136 cubic inches )

Here's another topic where I talk about the ePac17 (with pictures) if you're interested.

 

I just recieved an Oakley Flak Pack today. I'm planing to post a detailed review this coming weekend.
http://oakley.com/pd/4581

First impresions:

Positives:
VERY comfortable
seems to be relatively water resistant
good size + lots of accessory pockets (good for a laptop, 2-3 books, headphones, ipod, phone, sunglasses and more.)
Great value at only 65.00.

Negatives:
so-so protection for laptop. (padding could be better at top edge)
zippers might not stand the test of time (hard to tell at this point)

 

Hey Richard,

Just in case you wanted to know. I am also still looking for a backpack for my 15.4inch laptop and I was also considering the Mobile Edge Premium backpack and the Oakley icon 2.0/Flak Pak. You are right, the Premium Backpack doesn't have a waterbottle holder but the express backpack is kind of small for me and I didn't like the fact that it didn't have any padding inside the laptop compartment.

I am going in-store tomorrow to look at the Oakley Icon and see how it feels... just sucks that I am unable to go in store to see the mobile edge premium backpack.

And KelchM, I look forward to your review! Thanks again.

 

When I asked what you use the backpack for, I meant do you carry just your laptop or do you also carry books, etc. like I will be doing. I'm trying to see if it's big enough for what I need.

I really like the Mobile Edge Premium except for the water bottle issue. I've read that it has a horizontal slot for holding things. Could I put an umbrella in there? I just need space to store an umbrella and a water bottle. I suppose if it's not on the outside of the backpack, that's not that big of a deal.

EDIT: I like the Heys backpack, but I fear it may be too small for my needs. It looks as if the straps would be more comfortable than the ones on the Mobile Edge's, and it has the water bottle holder. I apologize for being indecisive.

 

Thibault, your link was very helpful. I didn't think it would hold all of those books. I certainly hope that I won't be carrying more than that. Do you find the lack of a chest or hip strap to be an issue? Also, am I correct that it has two water bottle holders? Thanks for your insight.

EDIT: One more question. Are all the different styles the same backpack essentially, but just with a different look?

 

I use it to carry my notebook and a few books. As you saw in the other topic, it can hold quite a few books but I never bring that many with me.

Well I've never had a backpack with a chest or hip strap, so I can't really say how it compares to that since I wouldn't know. I find it comfortable and it makes it pretty easy to bring my 17" notebook with me. It's a 20 minute walk from where I live now to my university and I've had no problems with the backpack.
The ePac17 does have two bottle holders. I'm not 100% sure that all the ePac15's have two. The different models (as far as I know) have a different look, different front compartments and may have fewer bottle holders but they do have the same capacity. So essentially, they are pretty much the same thing with a different look. Looking at the pictures from the website, they all seem to have at least one holder except for model 05 (that one seems to have side compartments instead of bottle holders).

So I can't tell you for sure that they have two since I don't own one, but I'm sure someone around here knows for sure.
Glad the other topic helped you too.

 

Does anyone know where I can order one? I'm in the US and can't find a place that will ship to here.

 

i have this and i love it

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=140279

 

Have a look here for US dealers.