The 17" Challenge

I recently changed notebooks from a Dell XPS to a Sager NP5720-V. I love the notebook, but I have struggeled to find a backpack that I like and that fits the 17" widescreen laptop.
Since I am sure that others struggle as well, here my solution as food for thought.
I started with a Targus pack, which I hated. It holds everything but the front is attached with two straps that makes loading the Targus bag a major pain!
After extensive search, I fell in love with a pck from Outdoor Products. I like compartments and this bag is well designed. However, the actual notebook sleeve does not hold a 17" screen. The fix? I ended up buying a Sony Vaio neoprene sleeve for 17" Vaio. I then slip the notebook in thi sleeve into the main compartment. Tight, but fits.
If anybody has any experience with 17" backpack notebook bags, let me know.

 

I just bought a Ogio F1850 backpack for my 17" HP dz8215, though it barely fits in the padded sleeve. Paid about $71 at Chapparal Motorcycle parts in San Bernardino, Ca.
Ogio makes very high quality and rugged bags, designed for motorcyclists. This one has a nice number of pockets without overdoing it. Very comfortable shoulder straps, with a chest strap also.
Very happy so far....

 

I've only had my dv800z since last night. I almost wish I'd bought a 15.4" because the problem I'm having trying to find something to carry it around in.

 

My Targus bag holds my 17" nicely, but I have to put the power pack in the front compartment which is a pain.

 

Great, but pricey, 17" backpacks here: http://www.booqbags.com/Search.bok?category=Backpacks

 

Yikes !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The High Sierra Locker Backpack is quite nice, one of the most comfortable I've used with heavy loads. While I don't personally own a 17" laptop, I have carryed one around in this backpack for a few days. A big plus for me is that it held the 17 inch laptop and three large (engineering type) books plus folders and notebooks without a problem. I got mine from this place, great price....
http://www.worldtraveler.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1454&itemType=PRODUCT&AS=1&keyword=locker

 

Looks like a nice pack. How much was shipping?

EDIT: What 17" did you carry in that?

 

I honestly don't remember, but I'm pretty sure it was around $6.

And the lappy was a 9300.

 

Those boogbags are hot, but the $$$ is killing me. Plus, I have a really wide neck. Can anyone recommend a bag for a 17" laptop with a nice wide-set strap array at the top?

 

Well, after several nice long rides with the ogio backpack I am sold on this combo to carry my laptop. The sleeve is still kinda snug for a 17" but not so tight that I feel it might tear or something.
The pack is comfortable considering the weight of the laptop and accesories. The shoulder straps are beefy and look like they could last forever.
If I had to carry school books or texts along with the laptop, this pack might be too small, but for me its perfect.

 

Thanks, I just ordered one.

 

Here's the bag I use.
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/100/TB0104

I also use the monolith sleeve from tombihn. works great.

 

Nice bag! I just ordered one. Thank you.

 

Hope you all enjoy the pack. I love mine.

 

Just got mine in the mail. Still waiting on my Laptop to come, but I borrowed a buddy's laptop to load up the backpack. This thing is great! I even really like the obnoxious blue.

 

Mine was delivered at work today. I wanted a black but clicked the blue one by mistake.

 

This pack obviosly isn't meant for a widescreen lappsy.









I was hoping for the lappy to fit all the way in and possibly have a flap. As is...the lappy is vulnerable. The exposed parts could get dinged up and there is the threat of rain.

I just wanted to let everyone know.

 

Well poop. I'd imagine your laptop and my 9400 are pretty similar in size. I'll probably use this bag as a stopgap until I find something better, but it's disappointing to hear it won't be the perfect bag.

 

Let us know what you find. $41.05 ....for...ugh

I should have asked for pictures when this pack was suggested.

 

I just bought a Targus messenger-style pack....it works GREAT!! There's TONS of room, more than enough pockets and it's not that expensive, I got mine at BestBuy for like $45.00, but newegg.com has them for a bit cheaper I think, try here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834999896

 

Do not buy the High Sierra Locker Backpack under any circumstances. It's terrible. Its frayed all to hell. It also didnt protect my lappy from compression at all. The interior lining starting coming off the first time it rained. It got so bad that I threw a bag over the top of my lappy because I had no confidence in the bag keeping the moisture away. I havent carried my lappy out in 3 weeks!

I will never buy another High Sierra bag.

 

I ended up with this Targus bag - CityGear Los Angeles:

http://www.targus.com/ca/product_details.asp?sku=TCG417

I just wish it felt a bit more "solid" like the classic design (but those looked very traditional and I'd easily confuse it with my work laptop bag). I can fit quite a lot in it, and access to the laptop is very quick and easy.

 

Try this bag:

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/100/TB0104

A bit pricey, but quality isn't cheap, and it's big enough for just about anything, and one of the guys who had one in Iraq got his laptop back (working) after their humvee got RPGed, so you can tell its tough.

 

http://chromebags.com/
The messenger packs might do the trick, I have the messenger and it's really nice but the backpacks were an option too, and i can vouch for the waterproofness in the rain as well as the fantastic build quality. It's really the same thing as the messenger minus the seatbelt buckel strap and 2 straps instead.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834996128&ATT=34-996-128&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r

just picked up one of these, should be coming next week, i checked it out at the store, and it seems to fit my dv9000 perfectly fine. and its surprisingly nimble i thought...not really all that chunky in size. decent price.

however, ill admit it doesnt look like a very professional bag. im a student, so i think it works out well for me

ill let you guys know if i find any major flaws with it

 

pretty lightweight, slim and fits my dv9000t perfectly...if it was slightly bigger i might have a problem though.

 

I'm thinking about going with something like this Wenger Yukon:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834996911

Anyone have any experience with this one? I think Circuit City carries it too, and I'm hoping to get a good deal on Friday.

 

The North Face Offsite. Found it for $75 online with free shipping. Great bag and fits my 17" Dell M90. Lots and lots of room for other stuff in the bag. If oyu have ever seen the huge 130watt Power converter for the M90, you will know it's hard to fit into a bag. Got the converter, mouse, extra battery, sleeve of 24 DVDs, a lightweight jacket, 5-6 files, 16oz Stainess Vac bottle, 20oz water bottle, passport, phone charger, Sunglasses, mp3 players, Bose QC2 headphones, and my chap stick very comfortably in my bag and it fits under the seats on an airplan too.