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    North Face Laptop Backpacks? (for IBM T42)

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by punksteve, Apr 7, 2005.

  1. punksteve

    punksteve Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, I have had my North Face backpack for about 8 years. I am very happy with its durability, and trust that it will hold up.

    I just recently bought an IBM T42 laptop, and am trying to baby this thing as best as possible. Right now I have a Cisco Systems laptop sleve that I use to protect my laptop, and then I stick it in my good ol' North Face backpack.

    I do have a Jansport shoulder bag that I bought for my older laptop a while ago, but the laptop compartment is just too big for the my nice and thin IBM. From my experiences, I feel more comfortable with a backpack to carry my laptop in than a shoulder bag.

    So, I just noticed that North Face has laptop backpacks. A couple that interest me are:

    North Face Bandwidth
    http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?productId=2042

    North Face Borealis (favorite)
    http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?productId=2039

    I really like how these backpacks don't look like laptop bags (except for the one that says 'bandwidth' on it). Does anyone know anything about these?
     
    punksteve, Apr 7, 2005
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  2. LaZzZy_Dude

    LaZzZy_Dude Notebook Evangelist

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    I've being carrying my Dell I8000 in my North Face Network backpack for more than 3 yrs (almost 4). I would not reccomend any backpack that have your laptop pressing dirrectly (hope you know what I mean) agaist your back. It causes pressure points on your screen...it can result in permanent keyboard trace...or if you're unlucky end up having your lcd replace 4 times... My recommendation is buy a "normal" North face backpack and a neoprene slieve where you put your laptop in...and put your laptop as a book. I've being doing that for 2 yrs now no problem at all...and it doesn't look like you carry a laptop at all...I look like a "normal" student on the streets... Hope it hellps.
     
    LaZzZy_Dude, Apr 7, 2005
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  3. punksteve

    punksteve Notebook Enthusiast

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    thats actually what I am doing at the moment. maybe I will just invest into a nicer padded sleeve...
     
    punksteve, Apr 7, 2005
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  4. punksteve

    punksteve Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any suggestions on nice slim padded sleeves?
     
    punksteve, Apr 8, 2005
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  5. LaZzZy_Dude

    LaZzZy_Dude Notebook Evangelist

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    Since I'm carrying my laptop as describe above...I needed a padded slieve...I use a Case Logic neoprene slieve... b4 when I was a proud owner of a Dell I4000 I used to put in a a UPS bubble bag....ok it looks cheap ...but it's not expensive...
     
    LaZzZy_Dude, Apr 9, 2005
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  6. monkeykevin

    monkeykevin Notebook Geek

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    Where do u buiy a Neoprone Sleeve any way? hehe I LOVER that Fabric een have TWO jackets made of it =P
     
    monkeykevin, Apr 11, 2005
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  7. LaZzZy_Dude

    LaZzZy_Dude Notebook Evangelist

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    I think you can find it at best buy...or go the the "small" store that specialise in laptop reselling...
     
    LaZzZy_Dude, Apr 13, 2005
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  8. maloosik

    maloosik Newbie

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    I have a new T43 and looked at the northface @ Rei, and also the Dakine 101. I got the Dakine it is a much better backpack for me, the laptop compartment has better padding, and more of it. The 101 is heavier but that is because the material is thicker, and looks to be more durable. Check out gearguys.com I found the 101 for $65 including shipping. there is enough room in the bag for 4" of textbooks, plus has a really cool pocket for ipod/ cd player, a perfectly sized pocket for Ac adapter and cable, the top of the bag has a handle, and overall the quality seems very high compared to the north face and the north face is good quality, but lightweight seems to be the primary goal of the backpack not protection or innovation or durability. Seriously check out the Dakine 101. There is even enough room for a tight fitting sleeve to fit INSIDE the sleeve in the backpack. good luck finding a sleeve to fit a 13"x10.5"x1.5" thinkpad...I haven't.
     
    maloosik, May 4, 2005
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