Suggestions for a messenger bag?

My Swiss Gear Maxxum has served me well for over a year when it comes to carrying my laptop. However, now I seem to have more books, binders, and folders than ever before, so there just isn't enough space for all those plus my notebook and accessories. So, I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions for a messenger bag. My notebook is 15.4", but I'm probably going to need a 17" bag since I also want to carry my Zalman ZM-NC2000.

Basically, it should have enough room for:
-A 15.4" notebook with an extended battery
-Second battery plus AC adapter
-Mouse
-A compartment that could hold a headset without the worry of me crushing it
-Zalman ZM-NC2000
-Numerous other things like a camera, TV tuner, CDs/DVDs, etc.

Basically, it has to protect my laptop and make sure that nothing is damaged inside. I also want to make sure I can put my headset in there without the worry that I'll break it if I put too much weight on the case. I'm unsure about price at this point, and I'll decide later based on whatever I can find.

Thanks for any help.

 

I just got this timbuk2 laptop messenger (medium) from ebags, and it's pretty big, much bigger than I had expected. The laptop compartment is padded really well, and overall the bag feels really solid. I guess that if you want to fit the stuff you want to fit, you might have to get the large. Oh yeah, and ebags seems to constantly have some kind of 10% or 20% off of certain items, and many times these bags are part of that deal.

However, I haven't used it much yet, so I can't really comment on its functionality or reliability (uni doesn't start till later this month). Although, it's gotten good reviews from what I've read, so I trust that it'll serve me well for a long time.

 

Hey,

Check this linky (located within this section) it has great info...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=50734

And, e-bags does have a nice assortment!

www.ebags.com



Cin!

 

i was gonna get a timbuk 2 as well but I can't tell what size this one is
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/notebook/notebook_hp/carrying_cases/1/accessories/RV962AA
I have to purchase this one because I have a gift cert from them.

 

Well the description says "Protect your laptop PC (15.4")" so I'd assume it's the medium. Pretty sure it won't be a small, just based on the pictures, it looks noticeably different.

 

best of both worlds messenger bag and backpack.


http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=TBB001US

 

SpireUSA makes AWESOME messenger bags. I have two...one for a 13.3 macbook and the other for a 13.3 Toshiba. They also make bags that fit 15.4 and 17. GREAT quality.


http://www.spireusa.com/

 

Agreed^^ I have checked out this site for a messenger bag, in the past...and they have a really good quality of bags on their site!


Cin

 

Morning, Cin! Yes, in fact, when I have carried it to work, coworkers have commented on how great the bag looks, as well as the quality of the bag. I have carried it on business trips, and love it. Compact, yet roomy.

 

Hey there & morning! That's great you get comp's on it, it's nice when that happens! Indeed...I like the colors and looks of all of the bags they have...I would've gotten one when I first rec'd my 1530...but fell in love with a sweet, girly Messenger Bag from Mobile Edge....

And, today...I will be ordering that awesome Swiss Gear Synergy back pack for my bike, and such! : )


Cin

 

Hey Cin...Did you see in another thread that buy.com is offering it for $45?

I haven't checked it out, but it is worth a look.

 

Thanks for the heads-up! Yes, I just saw..Wowsa, alot cheaper then Dell's EPP, too

Look's like buy.com is where I'm ordering from!!! (answered in other thread, also BTW)


Cin

 

My wife just got me the Crumpler Dreadful Embarrassment for my birthday (for a Sony Vaio FW) and it is fabulous. In terms of quality, it's probably better than anything I've seen before. She got it from eBags.

 

I just ordered a Wenger Coral. It seems really nice from the pictures and size description. I'll let you know what I think when it arrives.

 

Thanks a lot guys for all the information. I'm going to look through ebags and see what's available.

But, do you guys have any suggestions for a bag not more than $50. I figured that's about the maximum I'll spend. I'll look around for good deals if they are available.

And just on a side note, a 17" bag should be able to hold a ZM-NC2000, right? Are there any 15.4" bags that could hold it with room to spare?

Thanks again!

 

jansport has awesome bags, check some of them out.

 

Agreed, with SFS...Jansport does make some nice bags...and definitely worth the looksy!


Cin

 

I don't think that all 17" bags can hold both a laptop and the Zalman cooler. Of course, it depends on the size of the laptop.

I would be especially careful, if you are going to carry a laptop of any size, AND the ZM, to ensure that you get a larger bag than you would otherwise do. Some are larger, some are smaller, and just because a bag is rated to carry a 17 inch laptop, the internal dimensions remaining after you put in the laptop can vary greatly.

Also, keep in mind that widescreens tend to be harder to fit, so you need to ensure that the bag can take a widescreen, ie not all 17" bags fit 17" widescreens comfortably...case in point, the 17" Spire messenger bag barely fits my Toshiba P305D widescreen 17.1. It fits, but DEFINITELY not with my Zeroshock neoprene case as well.

 

Just got my Wenger Coral messenger bag yesterday and its really nice. Very well constructed and looks professional. Good for business use but it seems like it would be a bit small for a college student. Highly recommended.

 

Sorry for the slow reply. I've been dealing with a lot of work.

Anyway, the thing is that the footprint of the ZM-NC2000 is quite a bit larger than a 15.4" notebook. So I figured that a 17" bag would be the proper dimensions. Essentially, I'm looking for a bag that has two main compartments, one that can safely hold my 15.4" notebook, and the other than can hold the Zalman. Plus of course all the pockets that could hold my other stuff.

I've been looking though Jansport, and some of them look really nice, but I'm a little confused as to which one has the capacity to hold my stuff.

And Budwise, the Wenger Coral looks pretty nice, but looking at the dimensions, wouldn't it be a really tight fit?

Hopefully I'll place an order for one this weekend.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

Hey there!

Be sure to let us know which one you have chosen to go with!

Cin