M14X - Backpack Thread (Post Yours; Pro's & Con's)

Figured I'd start one of these since many users are looking for a good backpack to carry their M14X in.

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Bag Make/Model -
Price -
Pros -
Cons -
Recommend? -

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Copy and paste the above and share your experience with other M14X users.



I'll start:

Bag Make/Model - Targus Messenger Bag City Gear 17

Price - 40$ CDN (sale)
Pros - Roomy; Durable; Light rain-proof; Lifetime-warranty; Decent amount of mini-compartments
Cons - Padding is mediocre; Only one strap (center laptop); Messenger bags are not very comfortable; Too wobly even with adjustments
Recommend? - No (due to lack of comfort and padding)

 

My m14x is not arrive yet but I been using it for my m11x & 15.6" crappy laptop , Yes able to fit both laptops (depends on width of your laptop)



Bag Make/Model - Oakley S.I. Computer bag.

Price - $100+ CAD (unavailable on sale anymore but you still can find it on 3rd party websites)

Pros - Stylish , 2 Water bottle holder , 3 pocket can be remove easily , these pocket fit a mouse , x3 2.5" hdds , x2 enclosure , inner extra case for 15" laptop , without the case able to fit 17" laptop.

Cons - Takes time to bring your laptop out of the bag , 17" bag might be too huge for m14x

Recommend? - No , I think this bag a bit too huge for m14x.

 

Bag Make/Model - SwissGear SYNERGY 15.6 Computer Backpack

Price - $59.95
Pros -Roomy, Sturdy, Durable, plenty of padding, Looks Awesome, tons of pockets for all your accessories.
Cons - Cant really think of any at the moment. If youre really frail or petite it may seem heavy?
Recommend? - DEFINITELY You cant go wrong with this bag. The M14x fits perfectly in it. The strap that holds it in is adjustable. Check out the reviews!

 

Got this for my birthday as a laptop bag for uni.



Bag Make/Model - Targus Terra 16" backpack
Price -$49 USD I think (I got it for $67 NZD)
Pros -Extremely well padded particularly near the back, Feels really durable, 3 different compartments so plenty of room for books etc, Lots of accessory holders (Cellphone, water bottle,business card, pens, mp3 pocket etc), hidden rain cover, good size not to big.
Cons - None that I can see so far. Haven't used it yet though.
Recommend? -Definitely, if your looking for a solid laptop backpack that can carry your daily supplies as well. Haven't actually put an m14x in it yet but I'm sure it will cradle the laptop well.

Targus Terra 16? Backpack | TSB226US

 

Bag Make/Model - Booq Mamba Shift L


Price - $140.

Pros -
-Awesome slick design
-Water resistant
-Easy laptop access
-Laptop compartment is comfortably padded
-Loads of organization pockets
-Pretty slim regardless of what I'm packing
-Fits my laptop, books, 4x sandwiches, mouse, charger, external HDD, basically everything i need
-Removable key clip
-Strap pockets

Cons
-It doesn't stand too well because of its shape
-The side pockets are too tight and small to fit even a small drink bottle. I use it to store my pens.
-The straps aren't as cushioned or comfortable as my Alienware Orion backpack

Recommend?
OF COURSE! I thought the price was pretty high and i never thought i would purchase a bag of this price but I'm really glad i did. It was worth each penny. I just love how the bag looks and that all of my stuff has a place where it is neatly packed away. I love how my M14x just slips in easy, no straps or velcro to take care of just slip it in and zip the bag and you're sweet.

I was actually gonna do a review of the bag and a comparison with my Alienware Orion backpack. But I've just been really lazy recently.

 

Bag Make/Model - Timbuk2 Command 2012 - Medium

Price - $139.99 (MSRP)

Pros
-Roomy
-Professional looking
-Airport Friendly (checkpoint safe)
-Tablet Pocket
-Light weight

Cons
-Expensive if you buy MSRP

Recommend? - Absolutely. I only buy Timbuk2 bags. They are the most durable and well designed bags that i've ever used. When I owned my M17x R3 the only reason I didn't use a Timbuk2 bag was because there was not one big enough to hold it. Can't wait to use my M14x R2 with it.

 

Not strictly a backpack, but my Alienware M14x Orion Neoprene sleeve turned up today.

Price: Around £25 from Dell.

Front:


Back:


Note that the actual colour is a 'darker black' - my iPhone's camera doesn't colour balance well.

It has a separate front pouch which will be good for flat / small things such as flash drives, CDs etc but not anything bulky.

I'm very happy with it. It's really well made, and offers more protection than the neoprene sleeves I've bought for my MBA from the Apple Store. Nice metal AW badge on the front, subtle Alienware typeface logo "burnt" onto the back, and the detail on the zips is cool.

Of course my M14x doesn't turn up till Monday - will report back how well it fits. Being an official AW bag it should fit snugly though!

I won't be carrying it around in just this - will also keep it in the main compartment of my Belkin Slimline 15.6" notebook backpack which I originally got for my XPS M1530 back in 2009. This is an awesome backpack, but apparently the newer versions of it aren't as good (according to a few Amazon user reviews I've read) which is a shame as I'll be sad when it finally wears out (it'll hold my MBA in the front compartment and the M14 in the main).

Belkin 15.6" Notebook-Rucksack Notebook carrying backpack

Great protection, comfortable to carry and plenty of compartments for all your stuff. I paid around £30 for it a few years ago.