Convertible Backpack for a 13" laptop

Hi all,

I am looking for a backpack for a Vaio Z. My needs are...

- Must be convertible. Do not want something huge, or even very big.
- Must have an extra pocket or two for some small books and/or notebooks, in addition to the AC adapter and extra battery.
- Should be somewhat professional, as it'll be going into an elementary school as well as grad school.

Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for the help provided.

Sincerely,
John

 

I'm assuming that with the Z, the need for a backpack as opposed to a messenger-style isn't because of the notebook but what else you'll be carrying. What else will you be carrying?

 

A couple small books and a notebook and a snack or two, really. Not too much.

 

I should add that I really just prefer a backpack. I would not be adverse to a shoulder bag if it hit my needs and I liked it.

 

Is Grad School a 'somewhat professional' environment? I'd say live out your childhood while you can

That said, there are way too many variables in your requirements. Booq are popularly recommended backpacks for those looking for the 'high end', I don't like Tumi - boring, Piquadro are kinda weird looking (although the Modus may be the closest thing to 'professional looking'), STM have a convertible 17-inch messenger bag / backpack which looks a bit odd when worn as a backpack (since it is basically a rectangle), Tucano look interesting and they have a sling-backpack convertible.

Personally I make a point of walking around only with sub-2Kg notebooks (the lighter the better) and have quite a lot of daily detritus. And generally speaking I use shoulder bags - I don't think there's much point in making specific recommendations of what I use in terms of those as I suspect they're well out of reach of a grad student and anyway, if you want recommendations in general it'll have to be more specific than the above.

Backpack-wise, I only need them for 17-inch transport, or 'sports' use - the very ordinary looking, reasonably well built / priced and capacious Targus XL for cycling around (very rare occasion, this). I used to use the AXIO Urban which might work for you - the only 17-inch it accomodates is the 1"-thin Apple but that's not a problem for you - it's developed a fault after fairly hard use over several years and the repair guys cocked it up - looking for replacement, might be another Urban as basically, apart from the fact that it's a little cramped for a backpack I quite like it. I also have the STM above which I use to heave some of my more oversized laptops between car / locations, but I really can't recommend it for any kind of regular use as a backpack.

 

Vogelbung,

Thank you for your help. All of these bags, unfortunately, are too big for the Vaio Z. I'm actually unsure if you saw the size I'm looking for in the title, as a lot of these are 17" recommendations.

Since I was apparently ambiguous regarding my requirements, I will try to make myself more clear here.

1) SMALL backpack. Does not need to be a convertible, per se...just has to be small.
2) For a Sony Vaio Z (13 inches)
3) Has a couple extra pockets for small books/notebooks/extra battery/AC adapter
4) Looks somewhat professional because it goes to work and school

By the way, Vogelbung...I'm 30 years old. I work in an elementary school and play baseball. I get to live out my childhood pretty much everyday. ; )

 

Well - that's kind of the issue. There are 13-inch backpacks, but they are for the most for women. Some of the bags I liked to are offered for 15-inch, in which the Z won't be rattling around too much. What you seem to be looking for, i.e. a compact bag that will take the Z depthways will be a bit... shall we say, motrosocksual.

Also, bear in mind that the Z can be accommodated snugly lengthways in many 17-inch packs.

However, I still think a messenger-style bag is a better idea if you're not actually needing a backpack in terms of large 15/17-inch haulage.

 

All right. I'll start looking at the messenger bags.

I guess my big issue is that, being a permanent sub (for now), I move from class to class. I don't have an office. So, to carry it around work...I don't want something large and cumbersome, you know?

I'll look more closely at some of those suggestions. If it would be snug length-ways, then I'd be open to that.

Thanks, again, for your assistance. I appreciate it quite a bit.

 

As a last option, there are the BUILT NYC backpacks.

http://www.builtny.com/laptops-backpacks/laptop-backpack-medium.html

But I think they're point-and-laughworthy, and as I wrote elsewhere, there's something excessively hipsterish about BUILT ware in general which makes my fists itch. But of course, you're buying for you, not me

 

Oh Good Lord no. I'm not some hipster doofus. ; )

I had found a bag I liked, but it cost about $250. It was a shoulder bag, though...and while was in my wheelhouse everywhere else, I have reservations about a $250 bag.

Then again, considering what I paid for the laptop...well...