Backpack or the Messanger Bag?

Hello world!
Im headin off to college this coming fall, and just got a new laptop. I was wondering what do you guys prefer a regular old backpack or the newer more urban style messanger bags? Help me decide! Thanks! At this point Im leaning towards a messanger bag. I kidna like the Trager Courier bag.

 

backpacks tend to have more padding and protection -- especially on the bottom and top of the notebook area, if you get a messenger bag use a sleeve for boosted protection.

and make sure to read the reviews: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=50734

Much of it is personal taste as to style you want. I agree messenger bags do look somewhat more trendy, depending on what you do or use it for it may/may not be more functional.

 

Backpacks are more comfortable for me, it evens the weight out more. For school this year though I am having trouble finding a backpack that can carry my 17" notebook when need be and be easily accessible for books, etc without looking like a laptop backpack. I don't want everybody to see my backpack and think "he's got a nice computer in there".

 

It depends on the size, I guess.

13" and under (maybe up to 14") the messenger style bag is pretty good.

15" and 17" you'll need (not want) a backpack... or a hip and/or shoulder replacement by the time you're 30.

 

Anyone reccomend a good backpack. My specs are in my sig. Oh forgot its a 15.4 and the battery sticks out. I think the specs are 14.25 x 11.25

 

Backpack all the way!

I have taken my 3-week-old Ogio Metroid bag on two longish trips now and can recommend it for laptops up to 14.5 by 10.5 inches linear (don't know if it would "stretch" for your 11.25" dimension, aznron911, but it does have some give in the zipper gusset...or you could put the battery in the front pocket and reconnect it when you pulled the computer out...) The bag is sturdy, protective of the laptop and comfortable to wear, and it has lots of pockets for stowing cables and cords and music players and the like...plus room for all the college files/folders and textbooks you're ever going to want to carry. It's great for carrying around without advertising your expensive laptop's inside. The only thing it's missing for campus use is an external water-bottle pocket...but I just throw my leakproof bottle into the big zipper compartment on top and have no problems.

Let me know if you (anyone) would like a formal review of the bag. I haven't done one yet, but would be willing to do it/take pictures if folks want the information.

 

I would def. opt for a backpack for 15" and up. under 15" either would be good. the downside of a messenger bag is that the weight is not evenly distributed on your body, so if you carry it for a little while its no biggie, but anything longer, you will def. feel it. I myself prefer the look of a backpack. it has better support and weight distribution. as far as style goes, its all personal preference, but there are a few stylish backpacks out there.

 

i prefer the backpack, much more comfortable. Check out crumpler for some stylish & functional backpacks that don't look like notebook bags.

 

I'd love a review please!

 

Any other bags? Does anyone reccomend the TomBihn Brain Backpack?

 

The Tom Bihn Brain Bag was my second choice, and I would have gotten it if the Ogio Metroid hadn't fit my budget so much better...I grabbed Tom Bihn's Monolith backpack sleeve, though, and was pretty impressed with the quality of that item (it's a minimalist sleeve for when you just need the laptop and no extras, or for extra protection inside a regular backpack). It turns out I don't need the sleeve when I use the Ogio, but I'm keeping it for quick trips out of the house when I don't need power bricks and textbooks and that sort of thing to drag along.

So, based on the good build quality of the Monolith, I would guess the Brain Bag would be pretty decent. I did like the idea of having potential space for 2 machines...you could bring your own LAN party whereever you went! Great for you and a friend/roommate/partner travelling to the same destination.

I'll do a review of the Ogio Metroid for you, too...maybe not 'til next week because I've got a couple deadlines to meet, though. Feel free to PM me if you want an answer to a specific question about that bag.

 

Thanks Happy Camper!

 

I did the cheapo option; one of those jansport backpacks (not single pouch bags) and padding inside the first compartment(lined with foam and on the bottom: SOCKS!!(sorry, had nothing else). Works well for now.

 

I recently purchased the Tom Bihn Brain Bag and Monolith and I must say that thing is a monster. The bag is huge and roomy, so you won't have to worry about space. Very well made and comfortable to wear. The Monolith is an absolute tank of a sleeve, though one thing I don't like about it is that there is no padding on the sides but I can't complain since the notebook doesn't slide around in it.

 

What was the total cost? and what color did you end up getting. Do yo like the style.

 

I agree. I tried a messenger bag for my current rig but after 30 minutes of walking around the store with my actual laptop in the bag, I found it to be uncomfortable.

A backpack can distribute the weight evenly.

 

I'm looking at getting my son a backpack for carrying his laptop for college. i've seen posts about not wanting your backpack to look like it has a laptop in it. I understand but how can you tell? I'm looking a the Wenger Synergy and the Jansport Odyssey. I suppose if you know the Syngery is a laptop bag then you might figure it contaions a laptop.

 

Yeh how do you tell?

 

If you're a laptop users and look into this kind of stuff then you know. Most of the time you can tell by the brands.

 

I think some bags have a boxy shape and coloration that looks so "businessy" that it's clear a very expensive laptop is inside, while others look more like regular college backpacks that might just have a couple of used textbooks and a stack of papers in them.

For example, this bag and this one both look very laptoppy to me, while bags like this one and this one look less computery and more normal-college-campusy. (note: I don't have any opinion about any of these example bags...I just cruised a convenient site for pictures that showed the typical aspects I wanted to illustrate for you /disclaimer )

And sure, people who have shopped around a bit are going to know the brands of mostly-laptop-capable bags, but the camouflage people mention is just one small aspect of choosing the right bag for protecting your laptop--you're never going to completely disguise it (and, frankly, plenty of backpacks that DO contain nothing but used textbooks and papers get stolen all the time on the off chance they contain dorm-room keys, wallets, MP3 players and the like).

For what it's worth, I peeked at some pictures of the Wenger and Jansport bags you mentioned and it seems to me that they look like pretty normal collegiate packs. Avoid the all-black color options to really emphasize their non-businessy aspects to get the most out of their camouflage capabilities--and recognize that the first time your son pulls the laptop out of the bag everyone around him is going to realize it's a computer pack after all .

 

I'd say a messenger bag... but it depends on what you're carrying. When I got my first notebook (Dell XPS M170) I had a backpack for it. I wanted to carry all my school stuff in it as well. Bad idea. It ended up weighing 30 pounds which is just uncomfortable if you don't have a hiking backpack. I bought a messenger bag (more like a laptop-only bag) and carry my notebook in there. Works great.

Bags get stolen all the time. It doesn't matter what they look like. If you don't keep an eye on your stuff then it's likely to get stolen. If you do, it won't get stolen.

 

man purses may be the trend now, but backpacks are more comfortable and well, arnt man purses

 

Get a backpack!

 

Good advice. Thanks!

 

man purse....hehehehe

 

Total cost was around $220 with shipping to Hawaii. I got the bag which was 140, the monolith which was 45, and their snake charmer cable bag thingy for 20. I ended up going with ol' boring blackbecause I guess... I just like black. It's a good looking bag. Lots of buckles and straps, makes it look sort of like a hiking bag.

 

Back pack all the way!! I'm using the backpack that came with my 9400. Since my highschool bag used to weigh around 30 pounds, carrying this thing in the bag i don't even feel it...lol

 

I've got a messenger bag and I'm not sure about backpacks, but if you want to get a messenger bag, get a Targus Toploader. You can fill the bag with mice, games (which I play a lot.Who wouldn't if you're 11 years old!) dvds and stuff and there's still room!

 

I just got an Alienware Odyssey Backpack for my m9700 and I like it alot. It's really comfortable and even after the laptops is inside there is a good amount of room for periferals. I even converted the cell phone pouch into a ipod video case, its pretty sweet.

 

I just bought a W3J which came with messenger bag .... the bag's nice... the problem is with the notebook... will have to send for repair... but I like the ASUS bag....

Oh yea, because the W3J is only 14.1" and ~5lb, it fits perfectly... not too bad messenger style.

 

I've got a Chrome Metropolis coming in the mail. It's a fairly large bag, which is why i got it, and it has the nice padded shoulder strap. I'll do a review once it arrives in a week or so.

 

I am getting the targus matrix bag tommorow and we will see how it is. Backpacks are alot better then messenger bags.

 

Yes MEN get the backpack! lol
I'm gonna get the Pakuma when they arrive in the US.

 

Me too, I just hope it's soon.

 

Yep sometime in August. I will email the guy again sometime next week to see hows everything is going. I will keep you guys posted!

 

Sounds good, I'm looking forward to it. I can't believe that they reply to some emails and just forget about others. Even if it'd just be a copy and paste job, it'd be nice to get a response.

 

I would definitely go with a backback.

 

YEEEHHH FOR THE BACKPACK
SCREW THE MAN PURSE lol
No offense if you have one
=D

 

MESSENGER BAGS! i did a review of my chrome bag, waiting for it to get posted. it's far from man purse ron. --__--*

 

anybody have the Ogio Metro?? (the name does not reflect on the wearer ) I really like the look of the bag but am curious as to whether or not it will fit the Compal Hel80...

 

Well, I voted for backpack because it feels and look better IMO. I also just ordered a Maxxum Swiss Gear Wrenger and it should arrive next week.

 

I went with a nylon brief--more in the messenger bag style I guess. It's a Victorinox Parliament. It was expensive but I love it.

At the time I had a 17" laptop so I bought the 17" sleeve for it too since it came with a 15" sleeve (good thing since my current 15.4" didn't fit the 15" either). The point? Just make sure your laptop dimensions will fit comfortably in the bag you're getting (ebags has a great finder tool for laptops).

When I was in school (way back when), my bag was always heavy. I used both backpack and shoulder bags. It almost didn't matter either way...the load was always heavy and the shoulders didn't always appreciate the load.

Some backpacks will "show" the laptop when it's in there. I've seen one girl out there with the Dell/Samsonite backpack and it was obvious she had a 17" laptop in it. You could tell by the boxy profile the bag took on.

 

I just bought a messenger bag-though I tried to get a more masculine-looking one than most, so far as that goes with these. I'm not sure how it'll work for me, but I suppose we'll see when I get it. It's a Timbuk2 Pro Series messenger, size large, which should be able to hold pretty much anything I could possibly need to carry.

 

I'm coming into this conversation late but I live in New York City and thus do a lot of walking. I recommend a backpack and only one that has chest and waist straps as this helps offload some of the strain and weight from the shoulders.

 

For what it's worth, I was at my Circuit City last night and they had the Targus Chicago backpack of which I own on clearance for $25! It's a $70 bag elsewhere...I almost want to pick one up just to have one. If you guys are in the market for a backpack that is awesome and has tons of places to put things, check out the Targus Chicago. I love mine. I also just ordered the Ogio Bounty Hunter for school-use. Also have a Targus LA messenger bag (LA or NY...can't remember) for other uses.

I prefer backpacks, but messengers have their place too.

 

My friend has the timbuk2 pro series, it's good though i still prefer my chrome metropolis. I especially like the side cam and the interior organizer.

 

pakuma akara k1 all the way!

 

No woman purse, backpacks and briefcase only....

I don't know when ya'll last went to college, but theifs steal for the textbooks these days. When you release a new textbook with 6 words changed ever 18 months and charge $180 for it, textbooks become easy to convert to cash. And who is going to look at somebody funny on a college campus for carrying a back pack?

My personal preference for campus, (LSU calls it a Walking Campus, which is code for ****ty parking) is a backpack. All other times I have a briefcase like bag. However, I don't know how safe my backpack is, becuase my Bulldog thinks its a toy with a nice handle to pull on.

 

im not sure what the whole point of what you said was, but i respect your choice to use a backpack...

anyway, for you "purse" people, my review of the chrome metropolis messenger is up here

 

I don't understand how you guys can still constantly wear the man-purse. I've used one for a few years but it will never compare to the support offered by my backpack. Everything is more secure and I can carry heavier loads. Not to mention there is little stress on the body.