Slim-form backpack for the M17x

It took a few weeks of consideration, but I finally pulled the trigger on the M17x. I was going to purchase the Orion backpack when Dell pulled it off the Australian website for whatever strange reason. Now they've got the messenger bag up there.

I was browsing this thread, http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/395077-backpack-m17x.html but for the most part, the bags are pretty big.

So now I'm looking for another bag that more or less fits the following criteria:
- Slim-form, preferably
- Weather resistant
- Sturdy, or at least has some protection, since it'll be going into the carry on luggage space on aircraft.
- And can fit the M17x, power adapter and mouse

Any suggestions?

P.S: Anyone have the Targus Soft Hug 17" bag? ( TARGUS Targus Soft Hug Backpack 17" (Black/Blue) - Designed For Dell : Laptop Accessories | Dell Australia) If so, how do you find it, and does it mean the above criteria?

 

I don't own that backpack, but just from looking at it I'm not sure I'd want to put my multi-thousand dollar laptop in there.

I'd recommend large, nice backpacks for large, nice laptops.

But I don't own any "slimform" backpacks so I can't really say.

 

True that! That backpack does look quite unprotected. One of my considerations is the slappa matrix, since it looks relatively slim-form unless it's stuffed to the brim with goodies.

Thing is, it costs about AUD$159 here! And considering I'll only be using it pretty much for flights or bringing it places (which shouldn't be often), it seems like quite a hefty investment.

 

have you ever had the chance to look at oakley backpacks? many of the higher end ones have a compartment perfectly suited for a laptop such as the M17x, and the two brands compliment one another quite nicely!

 

Hi there,
I have the Targus Soft Hug bag, it only just fits M17x, the bag is very flat/discrete for a 17 inch packback and has reasonable padding, the straps are ok, the carry handle is nice and strong. I can fit the power pack, wireless mouse/pad and a Zalman laptop cooler and then its full. I could post a pic if you want to see the computer in the bag if you need.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. Oakley's are pretty pricey too though! The one on the aussie website comes up to around $130+.

If you could post a pic (or more), showing the internals with and without everything in it, that'll be cool!

With respects to padding, my main concerns are that the soft hug may not take impacts very well. Some people love throwing their hand carry into the overhead compartments, so it needs to be able to withstand something like that.

 

hi, here are some pictures. The interior has that blue plush fold and the m17x fits snuggly, the only problem I see is the one top corner of the laptop is exposed to thin material and zip. The cover does fold down and zips correctly, I also have a notebook cooler and in the front pocket can fit the (thankfully) flat power brick and cables/mouse. Padding on the back and base is good and feels spongy. Rests nice and flat on my back as is very thin (it dosn't feel like you have a turtle shell on your back

 

Well my 17x fits perfectly in my M1730 bagpack which I got from Dell for $20 when there was a sale I think. You might wanna go with that.

 

Thanks for the pictures Kurty! The front and back look decently padded, however the sides are dangerously close to the laptop and any impact on those ends would most likely damage the laptop.

Had the bag been cheaper, I might just go with it to have a simple carrying case, but at AU$60, it just doesn't seem very worth it.

spradhan01: I checked out the M1730 backpack, and unless I get it from online auctions, I doubt it's possible to buy it anymore. Plus it has that XPS logo in front, which tells the whole world that there's something expensive in the bag. It does look quite sturdy though!

 

Well, then you might wanna scratch it out as well as I worry about scratch free and safe M17x rather than chances of being theft. Also you can consider putting lojack in tha laptop.

 

STM Bags > Laptop Bags

Aussie company - makes great laptop bags about belkin-ish quality.

I just bought one of their older models for $100 aud, which have measurements that say my M17x will fit. We will see tonight.

As for that one I linked, the laptop length space is slightly less, but I think it would fit. The dimensions of the M17x are about 1cm out on the legth (not width) dimension, but most of that is angular overhang that will fit just fine in that kind of bag.

-Ash