View Full Version : Case or cover for a 15" Powerbook
So, I'm looking for something to carry my 15" PB in. Haven't decided on form factor, that is not so important than price/quality.
I have checked out Crumpler backpacks (poor design and ergonomics), Tucano Second Skins (seem OK, 45EUR is hell of a lot for a simple sleeve though, and then I'd need a good bag in addition to the skin.. I don't have a quality bag) and some Targus bags. The only laptop bag/backpack brands I know are available in local stores, in addition to those, are Tumi, Brenthaven and possibly Kensington. The stores don't keep a steady inventory so I haven't been able to check these out yet. Also the Tumi is out of the league I want to pay, at around 500EUR. I think I'll still check that out, to find out what they have that the cheaper brands don't. I have heard good things about Brenthaven in general.
Online, I have looked at Matias Laptop Armor, which would be "only" around 100EUR shipped (faux leather) or 150EUR shipped (aluminum).
Please share your laptop lugging experiences...
Mass Appeal
2004-09-10, 16:07
I've got a Timbuk2 messenger bag that fits my 15" PB perfectly. Lots of extra pockets for whatever and a good liner that keeps rain out. The shoulder strap that comes with it sucks and I would suggest that if you get one to look into a padded strap. All in all a decent bag for the price. Here's a link. (http://www.timbuk2.com/)
pscates2.0
2004-09-10, 16:15
I bought a MacCase sleeve (http://jambags.com/MacCase%20Sleeves.htm) for my PowerBook (15") and simply slide that into this $12 Target backpack with lots of pockets (one that even holds my iPod PERFECTLY) and flaps.
Windswept
2004-09-10, 16:36
So, I'm looking for something to carry my 15" PB in. Haven't decided on form factor, that is not so important than price/quality.
The only laptop bag/backpack brands I know are available in local stores, in addition to those, are Tumi, Brenthaven and possibly Kensington. I have heard good things about Brenthaven in general.
Please share your laptop lugging experiences...
Hi Koodari. I have a Brenthaven that I acquired when I bought my 12" Powerbook last July. What a fantastic backpack! It cost $200 (USD), but is well worth the money, imo, if it protects my PB from even one incident of being jarred, dropped, etc.
The backpack itself is well-padded, extremely well-constructed and sturdy, with plenty of pockets, dividers, quality zippers. PLUS, it comes with a separate, extremely well-padded slip-on case that perfectly fits my 12" PB. So what you have is basically double-padding, double protection.
The case has a handle, and can be carried by itself if desired, but is designed to fit in the backpack. The guy at the apple store told me the backpack and case were specially designed for apple by Brenthaven.
I got a 12" PB because it will be a bit lighter when I start lugging it through airports in the next five or six months. I'm sure Brenthaven makes a perfect-fitting case for the 15" too. Good luck with your decision. :)
pscates2.0
2004-09-10, 17:15
I don't own one, but I thought I'd put in a word for Booq (http://www.booqbags.com/). They win the "carrying case website I like to look at the most" award, hands down. :)
However, a buddy of mine does have one for his iBook and he's said great things about it.
I'm now starting to favor the backpack, not hip bag. It's clearly the more practical option while traveling, and suits me better otherwise as well. I like being able to move unrestricted, being able to jump a fence or two if I want to, not getting snagged on door handles (that happens to me with a hip bag). Unsurprisingly, I tend to hate formal clothes. :lol:
Both Brenthaven and Booq look excellent. Brenthaven is the only one I'll probably get to see in person, and their Apple lineup is more affordable than Booq bags. Brenthaven's other bags seem just as expensive than Booq's though.
Both seem to have sleeves in addition to padding, that is excellent in case I want to use some other type of bag or put the PB in luggage.
I don't own one, but I thought I'd put in a word for Booq (http://www.booqbags.com/). They win the "carrying case website I like to look at the most" award, hands down. :)Speaking of websites, you might want to check out
Crumpler's (http://www.crumpler.de) webpage for European sales. :eek:
Speaking of websites, you might want to check out
Crumpler's (http://www.crumpler.de) webpage for European sales. :eek:
What is with the nude model feature!!!????!!!!
:eek:
What is with the nude model feature!!!????!!!!
:eek:Maybe it's a new thing for you kiwis but here in Europe we call it advertising. Duh. ;)
The Crumpler nude model pales in comparison to many ads I've seen in Russia. I have a souvenir I brought from there, it's a crossword puzzle magazine, but you'd never believe that if you only saw the cover...
My ":eek:" referred to the liberal use of banjo music, the sound effects and epileptic seizure-inducing graphics.
Speaking of websites, you might want to check out
Crumpler's (http://www.crumpler.de) webpage for European sales. :eek:odd - doesn't really do anything for me in terms of getting me to like their product ... of course, I may be "too square" to fit into their "hip" target market - who knows? :\ :shrugs:
odd - doesn't really do anything for me in terms of getting me to like their product ... of course, I may be "too square" to fit into their "hip" target market - who knows? :\ :shrugs:Their products are much like their website. I had a very good impression of them before handling them in person. I saw that they had obviously good quality of construction, and a few innovative, fun and useful design details. Unfortunately, they had wanted a "hip" design and that ruined the overall ease of use and ergonomics. The backpack's pockets were too small, in the wrong places, and the main compartment opened directly towards the wearer's neck. :no:
I went to the shop to see the Brenthaven 12" PB backpack. I liked it. Then, despite what I had been told on the phone a bit earlier, the salesguy said that two 15" backpacks had arrived yesterday and only one of them was earmarked for an order.
Tomorrow morning at 0800 the new backpack will accompany me to the math lecture. I just setup my access codes for the school wlan as well. Life is good. Thanks for the help guys! :)
Windswept
2004-09-15, 03:27
Yay! I knew you'd like it. :)
Yay! I knew you'd like it. :)It's not perfect but I think it'll do for as long as I have the Powerbook. :)
Seriously, in construction quality, pocket design, padding/protection, details, this backpack is the best of its kind I have seen, by far. I especially like the way the front organizer pocket is laid out (can't stress this enough), the way the inner cover is stabile inside the pack but still comes out very easy if need be, the compactness and neatness of the inner cover and how easy it is to slide the laptop in and out.
The only omission I can think of after two days of use is that the carry system is not as good as in half-serious sport packs. The back is not contoured, there are no air channels (though there is a good mesh), there is no waist strap and there is no chest strap. These omissions will strain the wearer if there is lots of load and a long distance to cover. I don't foresee using a laptop pack like that, but you never know.
I'm thinking about modifying the pack just a bit, adding a detachable chest strap, putting something over zipper pulls to remove the (admittedly small) noise they make, and maybe attach some reflective material to make the pack safer in the dark. I like matte black, though, so I won't permanently attach anything.
One more thing. The pack was *not* cheaper than the Booqs, as I mistakenly noted before. I might have mixed up the PB bag with the iBook bag, or I might have looked at US prices and the extra is just the normal +30% "Apple Tax" we enjoy here in Europe with customs, taxes and more taxes on top. Anyway, I think this backpack is well worth the 200+ EUR I paid.
I don't own one, but I thought I'd put in a word for Booq (http://www.booqbags.com/). They win the "carrying case website I like to look at the most" award, hands down. :)
However, a buddy of mine does have one for his iBook and he's said great things about it.I have just been investigating some backpacks and the booq models are awesome. I particulalry, liked this one (http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=82) for a 15" PB - so well thought out, with a separate padded section lined with a soft velvet-like cloth for the PowerBook, a similarly-lined iPod pocket, and many, separate and easily accessible compartments for notes, books and pens, etc. The harness is also super sturdy and very ergonomic in its design and the quality of the materials used in the construction of the pack are also quite tough. It is very impressive - yet a bit pricey. But, then again: "You get what you pay for!" :)
These Axio Hardpacks (http://www.comuta.co.uk/axio-fuse.html) are pretty cool.
They look extremely hard wearing and when you open them up they kind of stay open on their own like a clamshell so you can get at your stuff easily.
I don't own one yet but it's on the Christmas list :)
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