bags for the 8170?

i was all set with a bag when i was getting the 8150, but i switched to the 17" today..

so what backpacks are you guys using/ planning on using? trying to keep my bag under $100, and will be used for school/travel. kinda like the idea of a side-loading laptop slot, but it doesn't make too much of a difference. want to try to keep the laptop in the sleeve i'm getting for it (in the back pack i mean)..

any ideas?

 

I went with a SwissGear/Wenger Ibex 17" bag. It's a top loading slot, but it's got extra padding. My old SwissGear ScanSmart bag was side loading and you could unzip the bag so that it folded flat and had a clear laptop compartment. it met TSA regulations so you could travel without taking out your laptop. It wasn't padded as nicely though. SwissGear makes great bags and the warranties are top notch if you do have any issues (just pay shipping and you get a new bag)

 

Do you have a model # for the 17"? The ones I looked at all are for 15 inchers..

 

Sure thing. The Ibex is GA-7316-06F00. It's on newegg.

Scansmart SA1908. The ScanSmart bag is hard to find though. I got mine on Amazon a while back when it was on some super awesome sale for $30. Strangely enough it's available at Shoes.com. It think it's been discontinued in this model though, sadly. At least it's still available somewhere.

The scansmart bag is great for traveling and I think it's got more cubic inches of interior space. The side pockets are also big enough to hold my monster 40oz stainless steel water bottle (and probably the monster 8130/8150 power brick).

The Ibex is my new replacement bag because I wanted one with more padding around the laptop, although overall it feels like a smaller bag. It's the highest rated backpack on amazon though.

Lots of people here recommend Timbuk2 and Slappa bags. They're also great, but tend to be quite expensive.

 

I don't really like the blue on that ibex unfortunately..

I like the look of the Swissgear sa9769 but it's for 15"

 

I use an Ogio backpack and have really enjoyed it thus far. Really well padded, TONS of storage.

This isn't my model, but it toes have some good reviews and some people saying it carries 17"

Amazon.com: Ogio Metro Backpack in your choice of colors: Clothing

 

I use the Targus TXL617. That has some blue in it though, so I don't know if it will bother you like on the ibex. It has more room in it than I know what to do with, lol.

 

I was diggin that one.. But it shows that they're out of black. Only brown and indigo. Might have to look around to see if I can find a black one

You werent kidding Brett, that backpack is huge! That's actually a nice lookin pack, I just don't know if I need that much room lol

 

There are a lot of colors, at least with the Ogio brand in general. Mine is a rich orange (my favorite color)

 

Personally the best bag I've ever used (and I have owned a few over the past couple of years) is the Mobile Edge Alienware Orion Backpack , this thing is heavy duty and will survive years of abuse! It fits notebooks up to 17' and I will be using it for my NP8130 as well.

 

i ended up getting the Ogio Politan in black

it will be my first Ogio.. we'll see how it goes i suppose if i dont like it, i'll just return it and plop down some more $ on a swissgear

i've looked at it a few times, but i was worried about scuffing up that hard looking matte black part. plus that thing seems huge lol. and what's with the pocket with the RF shielding? "protect your phone from hackers"? lol

 

I've seen someone with it, and it's really not that huge. It seems to hug your back pretty well, and looked rather flat.

 

Wow, that looks like my exact model! Good choice.

This particular one is very well padded, inside and out. It is the most comfortable backpack I've ever used. In addition, it has enough storage to pack everything needed for a day trip/weekend trip (if you pack light!)

I can even put my cooling pad in if I choose not to zip the middle compartment in which I put it.

 

Yeah, I'll have to see if that sf-19 cooler fits in it..