XPS17 laptop bag / case woes. Please advise.

I have been looking with frustration for a new case to go with my new XPS17 (6 cell battery that sticks out). NB - in the UK, so US sites are no good due to shipping costs. The laptop measures 42x29x5/9 (3.5 at smallest), and therein lies the problem. The Dell supplied bags go up to 5 cm, not 5.9.

I have looked long and hard, and even bought one that appeared to be OK, but it is way too tight for regular use, and with the laptop in the other pockets are reduced. That was a Targus XL CItyGear TCG417.

I;ve dismissed many that say 17 inch, because they are clearly not big enough.

What I really want is something like my old 16 inch bag, a Targus with a front pocket for pens, cables, mouse, lunch. A middle pocket for the laptop and a couple of DVDs. A back pocket for A4 papers, or a newspaper.

There is a Belkin TOp Loader, code F8N334 but the photo even from teh Belkin site is absolutely poor. It does no quote dimensions, but I found a web site that did.

So, has anyone experience of the bag?

What bags do you use successfully?

 

I got a Wenger and I'm very happy with it, been using it with the XPS-17 since May. By contrast, I just picked up a couple Vostro 17" laptops for work and ordered similar Dell bags for them, and they are not as well constructed.

There's pouch-inside-a-pouch where the laptop goes that provides extra padding. I'ts snug, but goes in easily. With the Dell bag I could hear some stitching letting go when I tried to get the laptop in.

It's possible the larger battery might be too large for that pouch. Be nice if you could find one at a local store and test the fit.

I don't have the larger battery, just the standard. Even so, I almost never run on battery so I don't store it in the laptop to reduce charge cycles. Instead, I keep it in one of the other pouches, and the larger battery would not be a problem there if you were willing to put the battery in and out of the laptop as needed.

I have these in the same pouch with the battery:

• a couple dense foam cylinders that I use to prop up the rear corners of the laptop for better ventiallation. Made them out of those spacers they put at the top a spindle of CDs or DVDs to prevent them rattling around. I taped enough of them together to make two stacks about an inch and a half tall.
• wireless mouse
• HDMI cable
• power supply

Also in the bag: optical audio cable, USB cable for a camera, a Windows repair disk, and a few other items. The bag doesn't seem bulged or bulky when loaded up.

I'm fairly sure you won't get a lunch in the bag unless you like flatbread.


I got mine from newegg, but I found this link for Amazon UK:

Swissgear GA-7496-06F00 Mythos Laptop/Notebook Messenger: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories


I have no idea if that's a good price, but some other sites I checked were higher. I paid $25 US when newegg put it on shellshocker.

Here's the model number if you want to google: "GA-7496-06F00".

 

Higher ground shuttle 2.0 17"

shuttle - higher ground gear - designer laptop backpacks and laptop bags

 

HI mpalandr, and thanks for your comprehensive posting. I had not seen that model - it is not in Wenger's current model list! The only one of Wenger's that I had seen was their "Yukon" which is only 5cm wide,so too small.

The Mythos looks quite good, and the price is reasonable for a mid level bag. The interior actually looks as if it might be more than 5cm. Looking around that model varies from £30 to £65! I prefer a top opener to a messenger bag, but having said that it does not look as if I have much choice in the matter!

Taking the battery out is not really an option unless I change from putting the laptop to sleep to getting it to hibernate. And it has decided that it does not like hibernation - all that happens is that it hibernates and immediately switches on again. My desktop started doing that about 6 months ago.

Your contents are interesting. The large battery does the same as your foam cylinders, though I do find if used on a laptop it still gets very hot with the fan running pretty much constantly, particularly if using flash games. On the desk, it is fine.

 

Thanks but that is US. As I said, useless due to high shipping costs.

 

I went home and examined it after writing that message. Depending on the height of battery "ridge," I think it would fit in the interior padded pouch.

So you sleep the laptop and carry it in the bag? I understand that removing the battery regularly would be a hassle. I almost never use the battery, so it's almost always at the bottom of one of the other pouches.

The foam cylinders are kind of a function over form solution to increase airflow, but since I rarely use the battery, I didn't want to pay for the high cap version. I also removed the screens inside the intake vents. I did some informal before and after testing with one Prime95 and one of the temp measuring programs, and it did help a bit.

 

seems you may have tried the same one I have... but am using a Targus XL backpack and it's perfect for me

comfortably fits mousemat, power brick, xbox controller, mouse, ipod charger and all the other bits and bobs in the front zipped section... Some dvds and a couple of tshirts, magazine and lunch in the main section along with the laptop in the protected sleeve part and then other stuff in the side zipped bits. Not tight at all in the laptop pouch part, slides right in and is protected

it's the 17 inch version of this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Targus-TEB0...J3TY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320420995&sr=8-2

unfortunately amazon seem to only have the 15inch but it looks identicle, just bigger - got it from dell at the same time as I bought the laptop

 

I am using this Targus Drifter II Backpack 17: Amazon.com: Targus Drifter II Backpack Designed for 17-Inch Laptop TSB239US (Black/Gray): Electronics. This one is somewhat similar to the Targus XL but just a tiny bit smaller. I love it... Tons of pocket and layout is pretty well thought of. There is even a pocket in the rear, lower support system for valuable stuff, water bottle, etc. It will fit the XPS 17 with room to spare.

I heard the Targus XL is also very good and extremely popular, did you see the Amazon's picture where one guys even fit a 19" LCD panel in it... Wow!! Here's the link for the Targus XL: http://www.amazon.com/Targus-Backpa...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320424306&sr=1-1

Edit: My links are for US.

 

Thanks Jon vMagic and huoyjii. More things to think about now.

 

I have now had a chance to look at a backpack, and I would really rather prefer to use a briefcase type of carrier. The backpacks are OK, but they are generally very deep (The Targus XL mentioned by huoyjoii is 8 inches and when packed seems even bigger) and have those straps that dangle everywhere, and whilst the TCB001EU | Targus 17 - 18 inch / 43.1cm - 45.7cm XL Laptop Backpack is the neatest, it has utterly useless tiny side pockets that you cannot get at the zips of due to the compression straps. Then it has a zip down the front of the grey panel, and another towards the top. Those pockets are again tiny, and I feel I am paying for design rather than function.

The Targus XL Top-Loading Case Designed for 17 Inch Notebooks TXL417 (Black) at $53 but it only seems available in the UK from one place at an extortionate price of £66. It has an internal depth of 2.2 inches whcih is almost as deep as my battery of 2.25 inches!

Has anyone used the Targus CNXL18 which is available i n the UK from Amazon? From the Targus site it says 44.1 x 5 x 32 cm which would mean it does not fit the extended laptop battery you get with the XPS17 i7.

 

Eventually, I have found a bag and it fits. The biggest problem has been the extended battery which sticks out from the laptop (standard with my i7) and that means it is 5.9cm deep, instead of 3cm. Amazing how many bags of the few 17.3 inch bags only fit 5cm, and how that is a real maximum. Also amazing how few bags you can actually find in real life to see and try. PC World/Currys had a couple of cheap ones, Staples 3 decent. Our local computer shop in Durham had one. That was it.

My success was to email Targus and get their help and advice. Thanks Targus. (Belkin support was useless - I asked about the size of the pockets, they told me there were 6!). I finally bought the Targus XXL 17 - 18 inch / 43.1 - 45.7cm Laptop Case Pro - Black and it fits. Got it from Ballicom who were prompt in their delivery and it came well enough packed.

Front pocket, laptop inside with other internal pockets for bits and bobs. Back pocket for files. Velcroed slip pocket between the front pocket and the main one for single sheets of paper or a thin magazine.

If you prefer a backpack, then I can confirm that the Targus XL Laptop Backpack - Black/Blue by Targus does fit. I found it in a Staples store. However, I don't understand what all the pockets could be used for - some of them are amazingly difficult to get into.

 

I hope my earlier post was helpful. I tried to post much the same on the Dell forum, but foolishly suggested that as the recommended bag did not fit, perhaps Dell did not know their laptops. It was deleted "for the following reason(s): Your post contains language that we believe to be harassing, unlawful, or otherwise objectionable. " Ah well, I was only trying to be helpful to others who might be in the same boat as me wanting a laptop bag that fitted their laptop.

 

I use this Samsonite Network Laptop Bag L 17.3 inch Jet Black - Delivery in United Kingdom

My own pictures with L702x and 9 cell battery, fits perfect. I got it in Curry's.

Edit: I see OP got a bag, but this might help others.