VAIO Z Sleeves, bags and cases thread

A forummer pm'ed me and asked for a pix of this cover in the dark. So am posting here too for benefit of all. The translucency of the cover does not impact the backlit keyboard

 

Got my Waterfield SF sleeve yesterday. Fits like a glove!

Also got a bag for my son's new Archos 7 Home tablet, very nice.

They also declared the value @$39.99 so Canada customs left it alone so no sales taxes and handling fee! ~$20.00

 

Anyone find a laptop bag that has a hardshell? I throw my laptop in my backpack between folders and the sony bag I bought from the website doesn't fit well or provide any protection.

Thanks!

 

you could try a Zeroshock IV 'sleeve' inside a laptop bag (check youtube vids: it seems quite solid).

I just got my Zeroshock III, it's a little soft, but I'm going to use it inside my laptop bag so should be fine.

I'll post some pics tomorrow

 

i just came across this messenger bag which is very eco-friendly and looks better than anything else i could find

men-access - The Director, a messenger bag from Malcolm Fontier

might be perfect for the Vaio Z and a few accessories

 

I got my third bag for this laptop.

Amazon.com: Fossil - Men's Mason N/S Messenger Cognac - Men's Bags: Clothing

The Fossil Mason NS Messenger may be my favorite one out of the bunch. It's a small leather bag, holds about the same as my Timbuk2 bag (which holds a lot), won't hold as much as the WF bag. This is what I can get into it:

Laptop w/ WF sleeve
extra battery
AC Adapter
Two Moleskine journals
Magazines + two books (probably another book or two if I decide to push it)
Water bottle if I stack the books

I may have to strain a bit to get all of that in, but it stays compact and *really* sharp. It has drawn rave reviews everywhere it has gone so far.

If you live near a Fossil outlet store, you may be able to get it for $109, which is what I spent. It's an outdated model, so you won't find it in a regular Fossil branch.

 

Where did you buy that from? I really want that blue interior.

 

I bought it off Ebay but the apple store sells it.

 

anyone know if the timbuk2 q bag is way too small? i am 5'2'' and was just wondering if i should pay 20$ more for the H.A.L. but i dont want to look like a dwarf carrying a huge bag

Thanks!
Timbuk2 Q 15" Laptop at Zappos.com

 

Isn't that a bag for 15"? I believe you can do better if you look for a bag for 13" (search for MBP 13" bags). Unless you really need that space. Or if you secretly really want to be a dwarf, in which case I'm sure you would have considered cultivating a face full of hair

 

Have it. Love it.

LOVE it.

 

No no no no no no no wrong wrong wrong wrong

The Q is amazing. Really, it is. Separate compartment for the laptop, I also have room for books, other gadgets...I mean, tons of crap. And it stays so compact. It's amazing.

Don't search for a damn MBP 13" bag. Most of those are garbage; trust me. I've searched EVERYWHERE. I own three bags for the Z, after way, way, WAY too much research.

The Timbuk2 bag is one of those three bags. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

Sir yes sir! <salutes!>

 

So I needed a case for my Z. I wanted a zeroshock but all the cheap ones on ebay were gone and the idea of paying $40-$50 didn't appeal. So I sought out to find the cheapest shock foam sleeve I could find. I got this.

Amazon.com: BauBau 13" MacBook Laptop Sleeve: Electronics

It arrived today. It's for a MacBook Pro 13" but Bau Bau says it works for the Z. It's a little on the big side. About 1", 2.54cm, of empty space both in width and length. I'll just think it gives me room for a extended battery. It looks and feels a lot like my STM shock foam sleeve. The inside is soft micro fiber, a nice touch. There are also baffles for the zippers.

 

Personally, I would pick up the following Sleeve Case Bag...





(pics of 11.6" version in Black colour)

From eBay seller bosity, just search his items for 13.3 sleeve. But it seems he only has Purple and Orange sleeves in 13.3" size now, not Black. ;/

I suppose Orange would be the lesser of the two evils, but I'd still probably hold out for a Black version.



It'd sure make you stand out, heh.

They're only about $6 and I have no complaints about my 11.6" sleeve (for my EC1803h 11.6" netbook).

 

hmm? why not buy it from seller: yap2528? 26.95 + 5.95 shipping within the USA? Unless you're not in the US. I personally got my Zeroshock case from him and so did someone else on this forums(i forgot who, sry >.<), but that's the Zeroshock III... the Zeroshock IV is a different story though...

 

Hmm.. Good question. I remember reading your post and looking him up but I could have sworn he didn't have the 13" when I ordered this case from Amazon. I checked and he definitely has it now. I still might get that. I'll see how this works. My concern is the zipper coverage. I'll take back that it's just like my STM sleeve. The STMs are awesome in that there is no exposure at all to the zipper. The flap is the depth of the sleeve so no matter how you push, the zipper can't be exposed. This Bau Bau sleeve is like the Zeroshocks I have. There are those little flaps that kind of keep things covered but if you push at the gap, you're right through to the zipper. I'm not so fond of that.

By the way, this is what I mean about zipper protection.

 

Is that made out of that memory shock foam?

 

I'm actually going to be in NYC for a week. Are there any good stores there that have provide quality bags, accessories, and sleeves?

Thanks.

 

I've decided to go ahead and order the ZS. BCB will chop another $2 off the price. If people don't want to use BCB, it's $1 cheaper shipped from Amazon. I think it's the same company since the price is the same, they just charge $1 less for shipping. They also both come from Texas.

I'm actually thinking about stepping up to the IV instead of the III. One big question about it is that for the III Elecom made a big deal about the egg crate bumpy surface on the inside of the sleeve helping to protect a laptop. For the IV, they went back to the flat surface like on the II. So, did the bumpy surface on the III end up being a mistake?

 

Just got the timbuk2 Q gunmetal backpack. It looks great and the material is awesome. The only thing is that it is tiny as balls! Good thing I'm a small guy or this thing would be a return. Not recommended for anyone > 5'5''. Oh and my 15'' laptop doesn't fit in it. Good thing I have a 13'' shipping soon

http://www.zappos.com/timbuk2-q-15-laptop-gunmetal-gunmetal-gunmetal

 

Thanks for the heads up! I was planning to order one, but after reading through some reviews I was also thinking it is small backpack. I need something which can fit two 13" notebooks. I doubt Timbuk2 can do that, but the backpack looks nice

I guess I will keep using my Targus XL Backpack then...

 

I can fit 3 regular textbooks in there and a macbook 13'' with sleeve and that is it. Not recommended if you need more room

 

ahhh, that's too little. I need it for travel trips overseas.

 

I did free return on that timbuk2 bag and got The North Face Surge at Zappos.com instead. Hope it's nice

 

I'm not sure what that is...

It's just a soft material.

 

Apple Store should have some of those meantioned in this thread.

S

 

Just bought this one.. got it for $54 CAD on ebay. Cheaper than Apple's store. To me this bag looked like a perfect fit for my needs.

 

Sony VAIO Carrying Case With VAIO Smart Technologhy - VGPCKZ1

Just arrived! It's the best sleeve ever! Now it's backordered, people must be trying to get it for their new z12

 

^ No offense man, but that's ridiculously overpriced. $70 for a sleeve? WaterField makes a fantastic sleeve custom for the Z. Fantastic case...fits in every bag I have (including that Timbuk2 you panned).

I'm sure it's better than the ridiculous crap Incase makes, but you could have done much better for your money. ; )

 

WaterField case with flap is already 55+7 for shipping. I paid 65$ and free shipping for the VGPCKZ1 (retailmenot.com)

I agree both are ridiculously overpriced, but for 3 more dollars the VGPCKZ1 is definitely worth it.

 

I got a Pakuma 13.3" eco2bag for my vaio Z, Welcome to Pakuma

This is an almost perfect fit with the standard Z battery, however I think the extended battery version might not fit properly.

The eco2bag offers memory-foam protection and is not too expensive (approx £15 through online retailers). It is great if you want to throw the Z into a backpack or carry-on hand luggage without risking scratches etc.

One thing though is that I never allow the laptop to be in just sleep mode when using the bag, as I don't want it to awake by accident whilst in the bag. Instead, I either shut down or put it into hibernation, both of which require the on/off key to be activated for the laptop to reawaken.

 

This Tumi bag has been my main bag for the last 6 months. Good protection all around. I've slipped my VAIO TZ350N soon to be Z12. Great for school and I love how the laptop protection sits flat when not in use. Extremely durable, great for carrying heavy loads, and exceptionally pretty too!

You guys have got to check it out! I love it!

TUMI > 3-in-1 Backpack / Messenger Bag > Alpha

Link finally works!

 

That case is a work of art... I love it... but they are hard to find. How well does it protect?

Also what model Z do you have? I have the Z12 coming on the way and want to know if this case will fit it.

 

I got the Incase 13" MBP bag yesterday and i really like it. Perfect size, optional strap, extra pockets and a very nice interior for the laptop.

 

considering getting this case... Why is it so good?

 

Do they all come with the blue interior? I really want that specific interior.

Thanks!

 

I just got my Zeroshock III case. I am not happy with it. First, there is no memory foam along the edges. Many of the other memory foam sleeves have that. Second, that pouch zipper... when it's zip closed all the way and the handle is stuck back in the slit of the sleeve, it exerts a lot of pressure right on the edge of the Z. Like this:

\ |
\|__
\
\

The slanted line is the zipper handle and the horizontal and vertical lines are the edge of the Z case. Sure there's memory foam there but that bumpy memory foam on the III is an advantage and a curse. It's great for effectively making the foam "thicker" to absorb shock on the flat surfaces of the laptop. In this instance though, a valley in the bumpy foam fits right into the zipper handle. So the foam is especially thin right where you need it most. It's bad enough with the tension of the closed sleeve but I plan on putting it in a backpack where there will be pressure put on the sleeve and thus concentrated by the zipper case edge interface. It's going to wear the case edge down. In general, what were they thinking putting a hard piece of metal on a pressure point of a sleeve meant to protect your laptop.

I'd return it but eating the postage costs would end up being about 50% of the sleeve. I guess I'll try selling it on CL to recoup some of the cost. This is the 2nd time in a row I've gotten a "bad" sleeve online. That's the problem when you can't see it in person with your laptop. I'm going to try another memory foam one off of ebay, this one explicitly has protection along the sides as well. I told myself to get that one to being with, but I went with the Zeroshock rep. Now I remember why I chose a STM sleeve over the Zeroshock II 3 years ago.

 

Can anyone offer an opinion on which is the lightest sleeve that still provides decent light impact protection for the laptop if I'll be keeping it in a bag? I'm guessing this is one of the neoprene ones? Any recommendations?

 

Because it wasn't working and I love this bag so much, Here's a final try for a link. The vertical orientation is great when taking the train, and the laptop section collapses when not in use. Backstrap straps are excellent addition.

It's a very pretty bag on top of everything too!.

Amazon.com: Tumi Alpha 3-in-1 Backpack/Messenger Bag: Shoes

 

Nice, I got the exact same one! Only the interior of mine is a slate colour.
Absolutely love this case/sleeve. It fits beautifully in a larger bag and can also work as a bag itself, I recommend this!

 

OK, so i read through this whole topic but still don't exactly know what i should buy. I'm specifically need a backpack with room for a few school books. So something with space (but a normal look) would be great hehe.

I've looked at the;
STM Evolution Backpack (for 13inchers)
Timbuk2 Q (for 15 inch, but seems to work fine as read in this topic)
Targus XS Backpack (TCB006EU)

The targus seems a bit cheap and is also smaller as the other 2 (as far as i've seen). The Timbuk2 Q is bigger (according to the website) so more stuff should fit in. But the STM seems to be a bit higher quality.

Any idea's?

 

STM, accept no other.

 

But i heard and read there was almost no space to fit extra books in there. And from what i've read the Q seemed fairly ''big'' compared to the evolution backpack.

 

Just got myself the timbuk2 "Q'' and the space on it is amazing.


Even with all the books i can still fit the Z in there easily.

 

I've been pumping up the Timbuk2 Q all along. Everyone seems to want that cheesy Incase crap (horrible quality, ugly as sin)...they're missing out on some really good stuff.

The Timbuk2 Q is an amazing bag. I put my Z with my WaterField sleeve in the dedicated slot, and my iPad, several books, and WaterField smaller sleeve (for the AC adapter and extra battery) in the regular compartment. All my cables go into that sleeve, too.

My external HDs, smaller notebooks, phone, camera, iPod, etc go into the smaller slot.

I have no idea how this bag isn't being touted more. It's the best backpack out there for the Z, bar none.

 

Fixed that.

 

Actually you want a memory foam rather then the neoprene for that. The neoprene is not bad at all but memory foam offers a bit more impact protecion and is lighter really.

The Zeroshock cases are good. I got the be.ez 100572 LA robe Sleeve for my Z:
( Amazon.com: be.ez 100572 LA robe Sleeve for 13.3-Inch Macbooks (Black/Wasabi): Electronics )
It's designed for a macbook pro (16:10 ratio not 16:9 like the Z) so there is extra space vertically but fits fine otherwise.

 

Just thought I'd add my 2cents with regards to cases. I just bought the VGP-CKZ2 along with the Z12 and although it is pricey, I have to say no regrets here. Apart from the looks, it provides excellent protection all the way around and fits the Z perfectly. I would have liked a sleeve on the back to throw in some paper but it probably would have added some bulk. It's very compact and definitely provides some piece of mind when caring around a pricey laptop. Highly recommend it!