Backpack, or bag?

Hey,

I bought my first laptop. 17,3'' Asus.

1. Would you recommend I buy a backpack or a bag?
2. Am I going to be able to find a decent backpack for such a laptop?


Caselogic VNC-218 is a bag I like the most so far, as far as online pictures go. I have yet to try it out.

I've no clue about backpacks though. I was actually about to buy some bag, but am pondering on whether or not backpack might be better.



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* I need a simple backpack/bag. I'd prefer it does it does not have a million of pockets just for prestige. It does, of course, need to have a place for, say, a book, and laptop adapter and mouse (yes, I use a mouse because without it I feel as if I'm physically handicapped).
* Aesthetics are important.
* Weight is not that important. I mean, laptop is a bit heavier as is. As long as they don't say it's too heavy at the airport - it's fine by me.

 

I would recommend that you buy a backpack, but I'll let someone else suggest one for you. Carrying your laptop with a messenger bag will probably be uncomfortable for any extended period of time. It's probably healthier to have the weight balanced on both shoulders as well.

 

Or a bag with wheels.

 

Slappa


/10char

 

backpacks are good.
now i might be really out of shape or something, but i really liked having a backpack with a chest strap for my 15" laptop.
..but i would walk for miles with it on. it was only a little uncomfortable after one mile.

in any case its also good to have your hands free. my bag wasnt too great, and if you get a good one (of which there are plenty) you might just forget its one your back.

 

Definitely backpack for good weight distribution. But a messenger bag, or one with wheels for a more professional look.

 

A bag with wheels (as someone suggested) is out of the question and would make me feel as if I'm physically handicapped. I would also look like a hunchback. I am very tall, and whenever I had to deal with bags on wheels it's physically painful, not because of the weight but because I've to be bent down.


I also need to add that I like jogging and long walks. I suppose this style favors backpack over bag? But I am also not sure how often I will take laptop with me in these situations since I like total freedom.

If I was about to go to another state etc, would backpack or bag be more practical in a plane, or it would be the same?

Unfortunately this is exactly why I was favoring a bag so far. I might need laptop at work.

I checked it out. Great design. Most bag/backpack designs I saw are absolute trash.

The only problem with Slappa from what I saw is - nothing for 17,3'' except one sleeve, and even that one article is not available in my country. If I got it right, 17,3'' doesn't really fit in 17'' bags.

 

Incase messenger bag

 

Anyway, I would appreciate if further advices can be along these lines:

Backpack/bag (which one)
If backpack, which one

(If bag, I already know which one I'll take)

I don't like shoulder stuff. It's neither practical to carry as a backpack, nor professional looking as some bags are. OK, I can carry it as a bag, but well..

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Edit:

OK I think we can close this thread. After searching for a while I realized that backpack for 17,3'' laptop is simply non-existent in my backwards country.

 

What?

My Slappa Velocity Matrix holds my W870 just fine and it is 17.3".

 

Even though I'm American I haven't worked in the states since college. After living in Tokyo and now Sydney, I see many professionals with backpacks. Many people use public transport and when it comes to practicality, a backpack wins hands down.

In the states everyone drives to work so I don't know if the backpack has made its way into the professional world. I would say unless you're some exec, just go with the backpack. As long as you buy a simple, dark colored backpack and you do your work, I'm sure nothing will be said.

 

Buy a backpack for your laptop. You don't want anything more than 5 lbs if you are going messenger bag route. Remember odds are you will need to carry other things besides the laptop. charger, binder, book, etc, etc.

 

Interesting. I am curious about experiences of others regarding 17.3'' laptops and 17'' bags/backpacks. With 17'' one, if I manage to put laptop inside (possible?), would there also be enough place for charger, mouse, a book?

I know there are specifications, but it's not just about squeezing laptop in.

 

Back pack will definetly be alot more comfy than a messenger bag. I have a Booq 17" bag for my Dell XPS M1730. In my frequent travels I often find myself wishing I had a backpack!!

 

It fits all kings of things.

I have my W870 and charger, mouse, mousepad, 2 books, and some other stuff.

It is nice and roomy.

 

a 17 inch bag will hold a 17 inch screen. it should be plenty big for anything in the 17inch range. you gotta remember no laptop manufacturer has the exact same dimensions as other ones. these bags have to hold them all. you should be fine if it's a 17" bag.

 

Hire a man-servant to carry your laptop around for you. He can double as a bench when you need to take a load off and do some work, whether it be in the park or at the local coffee shop.

In all seriousness, the Targus Black 17" XL Notebook Backpack (Model TXL617) is pretty good.

 

booq bags are the best(or damn close to it) minimalistic-styled bag you're going to get. they MIGHT be too flashy with the orange accents of their newer products; but honestly, i think it`ll just make you look stylish.

 

I suggest you go for a backpack as it is easier to carry than a briefcase or a messenger style bag and looks equally professional. In fact, I see a lot of executives carrying backpacks these days. I have this Live Large laptop computer backpack from Briggs and Riley and it may just be what you’re looking for. It has pockets for all the things you mentioned – books, peripherals, pens, cell phone, etc. It’s lightweight and neat looking with clean cuts. Check it out and see if you like it!

 

What he said.

Carried around my M9750 for a whole day with my Messenger bag was brutal. I'm a big guy, so the laptop isn't that heavy, but hand it around your neck/shoulders for a whole day walking around, and it will get to you.

I would recommend a Backpack. Shouldn't be hard to find one that fit's a 17" screen.

 

If you are doing a lot of walking get a backpack, if you travel in a car get a bag.

Another thing to consider is that it is not as easy for people to know you are carrying a notebook in a backpack as it is with a bag if your worried about being robbed.

 

I use a vertical messenger bag. Better weight distribution for a large computer than a standard design.

 

backpack definitely. swiss gear has some niceish ones, the look fairly professional. i like the slappa matrix, looking at getting that one when school starts this fall.

 

Thanks everyone. I ended up buying a black backpack and I like it a lot. I checked it out, and it ends up being 6kg in weight (sorry, too lazy to convert to pounds). While I can hold it in my hand for a bit, it definitely is TOO HEAVY to be carried around in a hand (tested). I am very glad I bought a backpack and not a bag.

 

Good choice. Glad to hear it worked out well on your end.

 

Well, if you are in College, or out of school completely, get a Backpack; It'd be easier on your back. I would get a backpack, but it'd just be inconvenient as I am in highschool, and carrying two backpacks, is it just, yeh, it doesn't work..

EDIT: Bother, I missed the last page! Congrat's on your purchase!

 

yeah, and make sure you actually wear it properly, on two shoulders, otherwise it kinda defeats the purpose. Also I now stories of people who wore heavy backpacks on 1 shoulder only, or most of the time, and they have slight scoliosis now. Good choice btw!

 

I am going back to school after many years and will travel by bicycle and bus. I commonly use panniers when I travel from state to state. Here are a couple of products from my favorite bicycle pannier company. These can be used on and off the bicycle.

Briefcase Pannier that converts to briefcase.
http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categories/laptop-pannier/briefcase.html
The bug pannier that converts to a backpack.
Optional laptop pouch for the bug backpack.
http://www.arkel-od.com/us/optional-laptop-pouch.html

 

Bug backpack pannier
http://www.arkel-od.com/us/bug.html

 

There's no way I can wear 6kg on one shoulder. I actually tried it, and I can do it for 1 min tops, more than that and I can really feel my shoulder deforming.


Just one thing to add - I bought 17'' backpack and my 17,3'' Asus barely fits in. When I tried to put it in the first time I thought it's hopeless. Somehow I managed to squeeze it in, and now it's ok I mastered the technique and perhaps the backpack even spread 1 milimeter.

 

Another reason why I got W860CU instead of Asus G73, very hard to find a messenger bag for 17.3", and back bag looks too geeky IMO.

 

While a backpack is better for your back, I get comments at work about being a school boy when I carry my 17in in a backpack. So oer time I have gathered that it is more "professional" to use a messenger but better on your back as well as having better storage when using a backpack.

 

I understand the logic of backpacks vs messenger bags. But if you are traveling by bus, do you remove your backpack when you sit down? It must be mighty uncomfortable to sit with a backpack strapped to your back...and to remove it and put it back on - especially if you are going only a few short stops away - must also be bothersome. Or not?

I ask because I have a backpack (I forget the name of the company), a Pakuma messenger bag and a standard issue ThinkPad messenger bag (pseudo-professional looking!), which came with the laptop, which is a 14" one, btw. I use the Pakuma the most, but it's killing my shoulders, though it is much better than when I used to carry a 15.4" Acer (that was heavy!). I have not used the backpack too much because I found it a pain to take off and put on when I got onto/off the bus (use the bus to go to work). Of course, I carry the standard stuff like adapter, mouse and some books. Often I take the books out and carry them in my hand just to lighten the weight of the Pakuma, which is also problematic in its own way.

I was, therefore, wondering how you backpack-users deal with this or a similar situation.

Cheers!

 

I gotta go with backpack all the way. Its starting to be more common outside of school, as long as its not some LL Bean thing (nothing against them!) with patches or sharpie all over it. Ive been using the Swissgear Ibex for a while now with my Inspiron 1720. It's the only bag I've found that can hold 17" widescreen laptops. I almost even resorted to putting a cushion on the bottom of a hiking backpack. The only downside is it doesn't have any horizontal straps across your chest or waist to help keep it on if there's tons of weight in it. It does hold a TON of stuff. I've carried my laptop, Xbox 360, and all the cords and still had the outside two pockets completely empty.

 

I don't care what other people think, really.

I go with whatever I like and is most comfortable

 

Well save hiring someone to carry your bags, you get used to it. When I take the bus home it's only a mile so it's hardly worth it take it off. But when I take the train it's a lot longer so it definitely comes off. In any event, I typically don't believe in sitting down with a backpack on since it not only looks silly, it's uncomfortable and bad for your posture.

Like I said, I take it off. It's natural; and I don't think about it like you do.

 

Yeah, I'm going with Backpack on this one. Lots more storage space and easier on the back.