Good Briefcase for the 18.4 inch Qosmios?

Okay, I have a really nice rolling laptop case that was fine for a 17 inch laptop. My 18.4 inch Qosmio fits in it, but barely. Now for most of the height of the case, there is a thick enough padding, but at the very top, the only thing protecting the laptop when the zipper is closed is like a half inch of space on each side, and the fabric is not that thick. Obviously I am worried about travelling and the top of the case getting bumped. I wasn't worried about that with my old 17 inch XPS, because there was over an inch on each side and it was not a snug fit. So if something bumped the case, then it there was enough room for the case to deform inward. I ordered a laptop sleeve from Amazon, and hopefully that will help, but it may not even fit in this case! lol

Anyway, I REALLY need a rolling case, because of all the other stuff I take with me to work and during traveling. Here is the one I am using now.

Amazon.com: Targus Blacktop Rolling Case Designed to Protect 17 Inch Laptops CPT700US (Black): Electronics

Here is a pic:



The width is listed as 18 inches. and I seriously need a rolling case with a width of 19 inches. Any ideas?


Edit: As a temporary fix, I actually took an unused sponge and cut it down the middle lengthwise. I inserted each end into the laptop compartment in the case on both sides. There is some padding on the lateral parts of the case in the laptop compartment from the bottom up until a few inches from the top. Now I feel a little safer in case the top part of the case by the laptop compartment zipper is bumped, as there is some padding from the sponge. I just inserted the two pieces in as I zipped it closed and they are being held in place by the tightness of the laptop in the compartment. There is plenty of clearance on top of the case, so I am not worried about the height at all. There is also plenty of space AND padding behing and in front of the lappy, so my only concern is that this case would be absolutely perfect if the length was an inch or so more. lol Believe it or not, I actually need all the space in that huge rear compartment! lol

 

I just saw this one. Must be a new model. It looks like yours, but it says it's compatible with 18.4-inch laptops: Targus 18.4-inch Platinum Laptop Roller Case

ED: Actually, I think it's the same you have, judging by the dimensions:

Exterior Dimensions: 18” x 15” x 9”
Interior Dimensions: 16.5” x 12.6” x 2.17”

Toshiba, this really sucks.

 

Uh man, I am not sure. That is the same model number and dimensions of the rolling laptop case that I am using for my Qosmio, and yes it fits, but I am NOT comfortable with the lateral dimensions. Front to back and vertically there is planty of room to spare so that if something hits the case with reasonable force from te front, the back, or the top, it would not affect the laptop at all, seated in the case with the zippers closed. The problem is that there is only like a half inch clearance TOTAL to the sides.

Now a 17" or under notebool is fine because you have a few inches of "air" as a cushion on either side of the laptop when it is seated comfortably in there. Now, the one good thing about the lateral construction of the case is that you have a long pad velcro'd to the bottom and sides of the case, somewhat cushioning the laptop, but it only reaches up to about three inches from the top on each side. This means that the laptop, seated RIGHT UP AGAINST the sides of the case (yes, it fits that tightly!) has zero cushion on both the left and right sides near the top of the case. Now I compensate (somewhat) for this very dangerous situation in several ways:

1. I am VERY careful not to bump the sides of the case AT ALL when my laptop is inside.

2. As I said above, I cut a regular kitchen sponge in half with a pair of scissors and I DO NOT leave my house with the lappy in the case unless I jam the sponges into the case, closing the zipper over each one on each side. The sponges run from where the extra padding ends on either side to a little over the top of the laptop, adding some artificial cushioning to the laptop.

3. I purchased a Neoprene laptop sleeve from Amazon, specifically designed for an 18.4 inch laptop, and I insert the laptop into the neoprene sleeve before putting it into the case. Before you ask, YES this makes it even a tighter squeeze, but I believe it is beneficial because it encases the entire lappy in a soft, neoprene cushion.

Look, Andnzas, the fact is that this case will fit the laptop, definitely, but it is really not long enough laterally. For Targus/Toshiba to be advertising this as a "18.4 inch case" is pretty irresponsible, truth be told, because it is really only made to fit a 17 " case, or close to it. If Targus were to redisign the case slightly and make it 19 or 20 inches wide then it would be the perfect case for the Qosmio because, as I already stated, it is plenty high and deep enough, no problem there.

 

I should get my x505 q892 tomorrow, and since I commute on a bicycle I wanted to know if anyone who does have the x505, knows if it will fit in the Topeak MTX office bag with it's dimensions.

Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - MTX Office Bag

I have the Qosmio X305 17inch notebook, how much bigger is the X505 compared to the X305? This just might give me a hint if the X505 will just fit or won't. I really want to get this bag for my bike, but don't want to waste $100 if I can't get my new laptop in it.

 

How about this one, Chiro?

HP 20" Roller Case for Notebook PCs | HP® Official Store

 

Read the customer reviews, particularly some of the negative ones. The bag looks nice enough that I saved the page to my favorites, but apparently it suffers from some serious design flaws, most notably that it tends to be front heavy and tips over quite easily, and the pockets seem poorly designed. One or two reviewers on the later pages (there are 5 pages of reviews) cited that the zippers seem to be on the bottom of the bag for some of the larger compartments, causing a propensity to have all your stuff fall out when you open the zippers. There are also a lot of positive reviews, but I do find it quite noteworthy that all the reviews that take the time to actually go in-depth of their analysis seem to have a lot of issues with the design of this unit. I would be wary, to be honest, though it may still be a very good bag.

One or two reviewers stated that the wheels were very noisy and wore out very quickly while rolling.

 

That was my impression as well. It's a poorly designed bag, but at least nobody seems to be complaining about lack of protection, and I think that's the most important feature for me. It's the only rolling case I've found that is a genuinely good fit for the Qosmios. All the others are actually 17" cases that could hold the Qosmio, but just barely.

What it's holding me back is the fact that some users said it can't be used as a carry-on luggage on a flight. That was actually the most important thing for me. My Qosmio is going to stay at home most of the time, but I'd like to take it with me when I travel. I am going to spend several days in San Diego for Christmas and I'd love to enjoy my free time playing with my new little monster. But I can't find a case that I like. Maybe I should just bring my netbook and a good book.

I am going to miss my old Kensington bag. (I have the old model, not the crap they are selling now.)