Best laptop backpack?

I need to get a backpack that can carry a laptop for college. I'm getting a new laptop and haven't decided whether it's going to be 15" or 17" yet, but I'm guessing that if I buy a backpack for 17" laptops, like these two:

Amazon.com: Targus XL Backpack Designed for 17 Inch Notebooks TXL617 (Black with Blue Accents): Electronics
Amazon.com: SYNERGY from SwissGear by Wenger Computer Backpack: Electronics

that a 15" laptop will fit OK?

Anyone have personal experience with those, or with another backpack you'd like to share?

Thanks!

 

Don't have personal experience with either of those two, but they're pretty well regarding companies that I've heard good things about.

I'd recommend ebags.com so you can check laptop dimensions of what laptops are guaranteed to fit in what bags, also tend to have pretty detailed customer feedback on a lot of popular bags.

I personally use a High Sierra Stretch that works very well for college.

 

Amazon.com: Timbuk2 H.A.L. Laptop Backpack: Electronics

I'm waiting for delivery now.

I need bigger space for all my gear than my current 10 year old Samsonite backpack offers and I had few options to choose from. Other main contestants were Slappa Stovepipe STOVEPIPE Duffle Backpacks by SLAPPA and Samsonite Wander 3 Moscow Wander 3 Moscow Laptop Backpack Lime Punch 43.2 cm / 17 inch

That Samsonite was available in a local store so I had chance to see it. It was okay but still a bit too laptop-bag like. I considered it as a fallback if I wouldn't be able to get either of the other options.

I really liked the Stovepipe, as a potential thief would consider it containing something like sweaty socks and sports clothes rather than lots of expensive computer gear (and my lunch!).

Timbuk2 H.A.L. won this time, because I managed to make a deal with a friend in the US to send me one. None of the cheap sellers deal internationally. It has been reviewed in few places with good grades. Stealthy under-the-radar look is always a bonus.

Targus XL, I haven't seen it live but in the pictures it's divided in sections making it hard to store anything big. I did like the built-in rain cover (it was advertized somewhere). I guess it would be good for carrying books and papers in addition the computer itself.

 

^eBags is a great retailer. As for bag brands, I fully endorse Jansport and REI. I have owned Jansport bags for more than half my life and have never had a major problem - you could say that their durability is legendary. Both companies also offer lifetime warranties on their expansive selections of bags. I suggest taking a look at the Jansport and REI websites and see if anything catches your eye.

My friend uses a Timbuk2 bag that I also really like, and it's held up excellently for more than a year now.

A few final notes - if you're going to be carrying around a large laptop and textbooks, look for something with at least 1500-2000 cu. inch capacity with chest and waist straps to help distribute the load. And try to find a well-known bag with plenty of reviews, or chances are you'll end up paying for more than just the backpack's retail price.

 

The Brain Bag by Tom Bihn is a good bag but it is expensive with all the accessories but it has a life time warranty and it's made in the United States.

 

I have the Synergy by Swiss Gear. I used it for my XPS 1530 when I had it. It is an awesome backpack. The important words: durable, reliable, comfy, roomy are all contained with this backpack.

It should fit a 15" lappy fairly well, with lot's of room for extras There are many little zippered pockets for storage, etc. : )

 

I picked up the Targus XL for my m18x. If you need to haul an over-sized 17" laptop, g73/8170/m17/m18, then this is the bag to use. I know SwissGear makes some amazing backpacks but I don't think the one you linked can take a large 17". With the Targus XL I can carry my m18x, mx518, 330 watt psu, and 3 college textbooks. The shoulder support may be a little lacking but at $55 I couldn't complain.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...es-backpacks-would-fit-alienware-m18x-16.html

Scroll to my 2nd post for pictures.

 

^^Correct the Synergy fit's a 15.4" lappy very comfy. Moving into a 15.6" it is a very "tight" fit. It will work for a 15.6" lappy, but you need a reliable Neoprene sleeve to help protect when placing inside the backpack. : )

 

I just ordered...
Amazon.com: Targus Groove BTS Backpack Case Designed for 15.6-Inch Laptops TSB152US (Black with Grey Accents): Electronics

Had lot's of good reviews and it's cheap. Will reply with thoughts when I get it (est. Wednesday)

Was looking at that Targus XL but after reading reviews and seeing a few pictures of people wearing it, it just seemed way too big for my needs.

 

^^That's a nice b.pack. Grat's. Look forward to your feedback on it.

 

Alright, got my backpack on Wednesday as anticipated. I just haven't had time to open it and check it out until today.

Good quality. Has a nice feel. There are quite a few pockets. The larger pocket fits the laptop(my 15.6") snugly and could also fit a couple notebooks and textbook if I ever needed to.

The second pocket towards the front is a single pocket with only a mesh netted pocket within it. Perfect for my ac-adapter and cord.

The third and very front pouch has a few little pockets within and some pen holders. This pocket is perfect for a couple microfiber cloths, some cleaning fluid and a couple pens.

There is a side pocket which is perfect for my mouse along with a smaller net pocket for a smaller water bottle or my phone or whatever. Not using the net pocket on this side for anything at the moment, but I could if I ever needed to.

There is also a good sized net side pouch on the other side for a water bottle. Fits a liter of Aquafina water perfectly with a little room to spare.

There are also 3 slots going along each of the straps. They don't stick out or look stupid or anything. Didn't even realize there were there to be honest until making sure I didn't miss anything for this "review". I'm assuming these slots are for holding various things such as a phone or ipod or what-have-you, but I'll probably never use them. Nice to know their there though.

Overall I give this backpack a 9/10. Perfect for my needs. The only reason I'm docking a point is because my cooling mat doesn't fit in it which isn't too big of a downside anyways because most of the time when I'm out and about, the only times I'm using my laptop is on a hard surface.

Edit:

Just a sidenote, should anybody be interested in this bag, there are also a couple other variants with similarly good review for different sizes.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=targus+groove&x=0&y=0

 

update:just saw that the op has bought his bag.

Here's a review of the pakuma akara k1 backpack. It is a pretty nice backpack though i did prefer the black with green piping, looks so much cooler.

but you can't store much in it compared to it's size - but i guess most lappy backpacks are like that. the value for money is pretty good imo.

 

I actually haven't ordered one yet, but I'm leaning towards getting the Targus XL. I need to get a backpack that will work for a 15"-17" laptop, but that also has room for several textbooks and a notebook. The XL looks huge: YouTube - ‪Targus XL Backpack‬‏

 

If you go with a 15" laptop you should consider the Brenthaven Prostyle Slimpack backpack, it's amazing.

I had it with my Envy 14 and I only wanted it to serve as a backpack for my laptop+accessories, nothing more.

It's slim and packed with cool features (like a pull out rain cover).

I had the black one.

 

wow thats a gorgeous bag. may check it out to see if it can fit my laptop and huge psu.

as for now i have the timbuk2 zeitgeist, which looks like a slimmer version of the timbuk2 h.a.l. . the zeitgeist looks kinda bulky in pictures, but its really quite slim when seen in person. and considering the amount of space you have, the slim design is amazing.

the brenthaven looks slimmer and has a more iconic look to it, but im not sure if it can fit my laptop and its accessories (igot the 17inch zeitgeist). also im not sure of its build quality.

 

I got my Timbuk2 H.A.L. finally yesterday. Lots of bad luck and trouble involved, altough the original plan (buy as a gift to a friend who then flies to finland) went south since the delivery was 2 hours too late and then the backpack was sent to me by usps after friend's holiday ended. 2 weeks delivery stretched to 7 weeks and even I got to pay double postage and some customs fees more, still I got it cheaper than manufacturer's price is.

Here's couple comparison shots. My old Samsonite / Trunk'n'Go HiSize laptop backpack and new HAL next to each others. They are both quite full: HAL has 17" Fujitsu laptop inside and Samsonite has 15", rest of the bags are filled with couple empty 2L bottles for comparison.


IMAG0194 by KopyrightLiberationFront, on Flickr

Bags open, HAL doesn't open too much.

IMAG0195 by KopyrightLiberationFront, on Flickr


IMAG0196 by KopyrightLiberationFront, on Flickr


IMAG0197 by KopyrightLiberationFront, on Flickr

In addition to the laptop itself, old Samsonite holds easily three 2L cola bottles while HAL takes six. Size comparison:


IMAG0201 by KopyrightLiberationFront, on Flickr


My old bag with the 15" laptop and tools I use daily. This setup weights between 8-10kg, including a water bottle and that bag is full, not much room to add anything and it looks like it too.

IMAG0202 by KopyrightLiberationFront, on Flickr

Same stuff, including the 15", in the HAL. Now I have room for additional tools or clothes (apparently I can fit a hoodie AND a sweat shirt both in the bag).

IMAG0203 by KopyrightLiberationFront, on Flickr

HAL has better shoulder straps, it's more comfortable to carry. It doesn't look much bigger than the Samsonite but it has roughly double the space inside when needed.

HAL's side pockets extend inwards so when fully loaded there's less room inside (kinda obvious). When I tested with those bottles, I removed the laptop power brick from the side pocket to fit 6th one well.

 

If you're getting a 15" then I would highly reccomend the North Face Recon bookbag.