Notebook Messenger Bag/Backpack Reccomendations

Hey all. I am currently looking for a bag to store my 15.4" laptop in. I'd like it to be a messenger type bag or backpack, and price is no object. I just want something that is made well and uses quality materials and will last a long time. Do you guys know of any bags like this, or can direct me to a place that has more information on them?

Thanks!

 

Tumi makes good rugged business laptop bags. They run for about $200-400 depending on the model and size.
Another brand is Louis Vuitton, specifically the Viktor messenger bag. I actually have this bag and the quality is second to none and like all Louis Vuittons, they last a VERY long time (the downside is its kinda pricey... $1240 to be exact).

 

ha ha... $1240 for a bag .. probably more expensive than the laptop.. got for the Swiss Gear $35 bag.. constructed well and will last for a while...

 

I have a Targus backpack which has looked after my HP ze4281 and now my HP dv6519tx. Had it about 4 years and its still in good condition. Bought it for AUD $150 from Myers.

Grand Admiral

 

I actually knew someone would post a comment like that, but oh well. LV's usually last 10+ years and if anything is broken or becomes faulty, they can fix it for you for a nominal charge. Most other brands don't offer services like that since they'll usually ask you to purchase a new bag. Either way, it's classy, and stylish IMO.
Also, it's only more expensive than my EeePC, but not more than my other 2

 

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I've been looking around on the 'net and have decided on a sling bag type solution for my notebook. Anyone have any reccomendations on those types of bags by chance? =)

 

im looking for 1 too...
im considering 1 of the alienware bag now...
it looks cool, and maybe it can fit my tarantula... ^^

 

Try tombihn, they make great stuff.

 

Booq makes nice and durable bags. http://www.booqbags.com/
I use a Timbuk2 personally and love it, and when not using that I toss the lappie into a neoprene case and it goes in the bag with the textbooks.

 

Anyone have any experience with the North Face Striker or the Ogio Mono by chance? =)

 

Check out the Mobile Edge Express Backpack. Here's a recent review to check out: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3966. You can see more on www.MobileEdgeBlog.com.

 

Not firsthand but I've heard good stuff about Ogio.

 

that's really true. they don't go out of style either since they've been using the same pattern forever. i'd never be caught dead with those bags though.. although i do wish i could afford to buy some of those for my gf

otherwise i highly recommend the north face 'big shot' it's roomy and fits 15" nicely.

 

Right on! The more I look at North Face, the more I like their bags... the Big Shot is nice, but it's bigger than I would like, hence my gravitation towards the Striker bag.

 

targus makes great products well priced and they last forever.

 

Head Porter. Popular Japanese streetwear brand that specializes in bags and wallets. It's very popular in Asia. They're known for their designs and quality. Might be hard to find stateside though. The Black Beauty series is pretty nice/minimalistic if you're not into crazy/loud designs.

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/ace-web/445648/

Bagjack from Berlin makes some of the nicest quality messenger bags I've seen also.

http://www.the-glade.com/bagjack/10157/beinghunted_messenger_bag.html

 

I second getting a Booq bag. I bought one for my ASUS A8Js and love it!

 

I've been deciding on the same thing myself having recently obtained a notebook computer (my first ever). The last few days I spent a good bit of time in a couple of stores looking at Messenger style bags. The Timbuk2 Commute (Medium) fit my 14.1" Acer like a glove and seemed tough as nails but I want something that I can cram a change of clothes into if needed. I love Patagonia bags but their laptop-capable ones are woefully underpadded. Osprey has some really commodious bags with laptop sleeves but the computer can kind of shift around in there.

The most interesting shoulder bag I found was the Mountain Hardwear "Memo" which is in the form factor of a very thick, squared-off backpack shape but has a soft, comfy shoulder strap and no backpack straps. The computer sits in its own zipped enclosure, well padded pocket and the rest of bag can be cinched down with straps or expanded into a boxy shape big enough for two nights clothes and several books with room left over for a bunch of electronics, CD/DVD's, etc. Plus two ginormous outside pockets each big enough to hold a 1-liter Nalgene bottle or a size 9-ish running shoe.

I actually placed an order for that bag this morning (about $100+tax) but after thinking about it I decided that a bag that big needs backpack straps. On an overnight trip I'd end up loading it up with 15 pounds of junk and that's a shoulder killer. Upon reflection I decided I'm basically a backpack person. Ugly, uncool, awkward to get stuff into and out of but with either one or both straps on it's a great way to tote 10 pounds or more without pain.

So I cancelled the order and picked up a North Face "Bandwidth" adventure bag http://tinyurl.com/2mrtpc for $79 and it's nigh perfect. It has a stiff foam backpad that protects the computer from outside bumps and is suspended (slightly) above the bottom of the pack. There could stand to be more padding between the computer and whatever is put in the same compartment with it but there are two sturdy, snug velcro straps to anchor the computer in its sleeve. A second medium-sized compartment with an "organizer" is accessible with another zipper and there is an external webbing arrangement to stuff a jacket or something on the outside.

It rides and carries really nicely on my back or shoulder and I think it's going to work out better than any "messenger" style bag for me. Not too expensive, either.