Targus 14? Ultra-Lite Corporate Traveler

According to some posts on this site the T61 14" Widescreens dimentions are 14.1” widescreen:
335.5 x 237 x 27.6 – 31.9 mm
(13.2 x 9.3 x 1.09 – 1.26”)

I have the 7 cell battery and am sure the dimensions may not take that into account.

Question is will the following bag work with my 7 cell battery intact with the latptop (no need to eject battery and store seperately in bag)

CUCT02UA14 | Targus 14” Ultra-Lite Corporate Traveler

Thanks!

 

Bump this message up!

 

I have a same size T61 as yours but I use a different model of Targus carrier.

Targus does not include the T61 14.1" widescreen in it's product compatibility list for the Targus 14” Ultra-Lite Corporate Traveler carrier.

Absent of such information, we have to use logical deduction in our assessment for the suitability of the abovementioned carrier for your notebook.

Targus publishes that the Targus 14” Ultra-Lite Corporate Traveler carrier is suitable for the T60 15" (standard screen) which has the dimension :
13" X 10.6" X 1.2" to 1.4"
(Keep in mind that T60 also uses rear-protruding battery.)

Compare the above dimension to that of the T61 14.1" widescreen :
13.2" X 9.3" X 1.09" to 1.26”


Width
Although the T61 appears wider by 0.2", it is thinner than the T60. This thinness allows the internal kangaroo pocket to stretch side-way to accommodate the 0.2" extra width of the T61.

Depth
No issue as your T61 requires lesser of it than the T60. Your machine has rear-protruding battery, but so does the T60. Furthermore, the notebook retention-strap for the internal kangaroo pocket allows some variation.

Thickness
Adequate for T61.

 

Benjamin, thank you for your helpful analysis. I appreciate it. What is a kangaroo pocket? So you say the bag will fit. I am a little worried about it being too tight and causing the keyboard to damage the screen.

I will go ahead and order the bag but as a last min check wanted to know if just getting the 15" version is a smart idea. Also which Targus do you have and maybe I should just purchase the same. Thanks again!

 

You are welcome.

General

A typical notebook carrier has an internal hard-cushion padded pocket that is meant to hold and protect the notebook from hard impact. After a notebook is placed within the pocket, the notebook is then secured by a notebook retention-strap.

When you open up such a carrier, you will see that this pocket resembles a kangaroo pocket.

Based on my inference above, your intended Targus 14” Ultra-Lite Corporate Traveler carrier should be able to accommodate your machine, though there is no explicit representation from Targus with regards to your specific machine model type.

Your concern over tight fit

I anticipate that the fit will either be smooth or snug, with not much room for your machine to slide about within the pocket.

The roll-cage behind the screen helps to buttress against pressure which may otherwise push the screen towards contact with the keyboard, if for instance you packed too many items into the carrier resulting it being too cramp when the carrier is closed.

Choosing a larger variant of the carrier

My Targus carrier can accommodate upto a 15.4" widescreen notebook. I chose a slimmer and lighter carrier in the Targus CityLite Top Loading series :

http://www.targus.com/SG/product_details.asp?sku=TBT022AP

I bought the larger 15.4" carrier so that I have the option of incorporating the use of the ZeroShock III 14" Notebook Sleeve within my carrier for total protection. I have two such sleeves for both my notebooks. (Explained below.)

You asked if it is a smart idea to get a 15" variant of the Ultra-Lite Corporate Traveler, I would consider getting the 15.4" variant as being a better choice :

a) The 15.4" carrier allows you to pack more without being cramp on the notebook and its external dimension and weight are not far off from the 14" variant :

14" variant : 16.5" X 13.5" X 5.75" (2.81 lbs)

15.4" variant : 17.25" X 14" X 5.75" (3.1 lbs)

b) The 15.4" variant can accommodate the ThinkPad Z61m with 15.4" widescreen, which has a dimension :

14.1" X 10.4" X 1.6"

The significance of the above is two-fold :

- With this size, it makes the carrier future-proof since it will accept the majority of notebook sizes you are likely to purchase in the future.

- It allows the use of a ZeroShock III 14" Notebook Sleeve within its kangaroo pocket :

http://shinza.com/product_info.php?products_id=74

The relevance of ZeroShock III 14-Inch Notebook Sleeve

The typical notebook carrier with its internal hard-cushion padded pocket does not provide protection to the notebook at the top. In the event that such a carrier falls off the table / chair and lands with its top hitting the ground, the notebook is not protected by the padded pocket.

With the use of the ZeroShock III 14" Notebook Sleeve inside the carrier, the notebook is protected all round, including knocks to its rear mounted plastic-case battery.

When you only need light protection for your notebook, the ZeroShock III 14" Notebook Sleeve allows you to carry your notebook in your normal (non cushion protected) business case or backpack. This yields flexibility of deployment instead of having to rely solely on the Targus carrier (which gives heavier protection).

At times, when it becomes clumsy to carry the Targus carrier to and from departments within your company, the ZeroShock III 14" Notebook Sleeve provides the necessary protection for your machine against knocks and perspiration from the hand.

In addition, such sleeve gives an additional layer of protection should rain water penetrates your Targus carrier.

When your notebook is not in use, the ZeroShock III 14" Notebook Sleeve helps to keep dust away from your machine.

The ZeroShock III 14" Notebook Sleeve difference

Besides top and bottom cushion paddings, it also has 2 rows of hard padded threads (1 on each side of the zipper) to provide shock protection all round the perimeter of your machine.

Many other types of sleeve do not come with such protection at the zipper area, resulting in no protection to the notebook in the event of side knocks.

Conclusion

The choice of a larger Targus 15.4” Ultra-Lite Corporate Traveler carrier is preferable given its benefits and the possibility of incorporating the use of the ZeroShock III 14" Notebook Sleeve.

 

Benjamin, thanks again. Your advice is really helpful. Will chcek prices on the 15 incher with the possibility of also geting a sleeve. Do you think will make everything heavy?

 

The 15.4" Targus (not the 15" variant) weighs a little extra 0.29 lbs (compared to the 14" carrier) but makes it less cramp and will accept your future notebook size, making it future-proof.

The ZeroShock sleeve weighs 0.63 lbs and it compensates the Targus carrier by providing protection at the top part where the kangaroo pocket fails to protect the notebook; forming a complete protective combination when used in conjunction with the Targus carrier.

This adds up to a total extra weight of 0.92 lbs. Not too much for men.

I would suggest only using 2 of them together in occasions, such as flights, when you need such complete heavy duty protection for your machine.

At other times, you can just keep the carry weight to a minimum by just using the ZeroShock sleeve in a light-weight nylon business bag. This is probably going to be even lighter than using the Targus 14" carrier alone.

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