Anyone have the lenovo business topload case?

I'm pretty sure this should go into the accessories board, but I think it'd be better off here. Just wondering if anyone has the 15.4" Business Topload Case by Lenovo. I was thinking of picking this thing up, but the pictures I've found so far don't really give me enough of a view to get it.

If anyone has the case, would they mind taking a picture or two of the laptop compartment so I can take a look? I'm judging to see if it can hold additional items like a water bottle, textbook, or a few notebooks. Thanks all

Btw, the one I'm referring to is this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834995687

 

i use to have one of these, the case is pretty small, you can fit two laptop in the main compartment, or one laptop and one textbook (nothing too thick) and some notebooks.... the water bottle (depending on its dimension, i assume the regular sports one) is probably not a going to fit, even if it could, it is a bad idea to do so.

 

Thanks for the input. Do you remember if the outside of the bag was waterproof? I already put the laptop in a sleeve before taking it anywhere but waterproof is always a good thing to have.

 

I have one. You can get them off ebay new for $20.
It is too small for me. It will carry your laptop, a legal pad/planner, the power brick and some small supplies. But the outside pocket barely holds the power brick, a blackberry, a cellphone, and an iPod without getting cluttered and stuffed. Throw in a portable HDD and all the cables modern life requires and you have totally maxed the bag out. Most of the pockets are flat (not pleated) so they don't overstuff at all. In other words, this bag is for carrying your laptop and the bare necessities.
It is not waterproof, but the nylon should shed light rain. However, the zipper is totally exposed across the top and there is no internal flap to protect the laptop from rain. My kid has smeared hummus all over it, I have gotten it muddy and spilled coffee all over it, including the interior... but a little bit of cleaning with a damp towel had it looking new.
Despite my misgivings about the bag's size, it is a very well put together case that should last forever. The stitching and zippers are all heavy duty and the nylon is thick. I have picked up the bag, fully packed, by the main zipper pull.

 

I have the ultraportable version of the bag you are referring to: ThinkPad Ultraportable Case

They seem to be constructed in the layout but mine only supports up to 13" laptops.

I don't know if it is water proof, but judging from the fabric, I wouldn't be surpriced if it was - at least spill proof.

My experience is that it is a nice and professional looking bag, with a very useful feature like the Airline ticket and passport holder, for frequent travelers like myself.

I am however not using this bag anymore as it is too small for my needs. If you only need to fit a laptop and a few accessories, it is fine. But anything else will be a tight fit. So I have an expander case and a rolling tote that I now use instead.

Edit: Just saw the previous post, which I obviously agree with.

 

Thanks for the details about the material and everything. I just saw this on ebay for $5....price seems too low to be true but the guy has sold 42 of these so far. Did either of you get the bag off of this seller?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-IBM-THINKPA...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item33586fcbd6

 

That's incredibly cheap. If the seller shipped to Europe I would have bought one instantaneously just because the price was so low.

Did you get the last one?

 

the ebay one are the fake one. The fabric is semi water proof, little drizzle won't get through, but anything more will be dependent on your luck.

 

How do you know? Have you bought one from the seller?

 

yes, i bought one for my friend. This price is lower than what Lenovo can purchase from its manufacturers. The quality of the case is about 90% similar to Lenovo's one, so it is good enough for what it is. These fakes are everywhere in China, and can be bought for around 3 USD if you go to the right places.

 

I didn't get it, the price seemed a little too good to be true for me to jump on it right away. Seeing that this seller has sold so many of these, they will probably have more available soon if I do decide to go for it. You can just never be too sure about buying fakes because of no warranty, potentially hazardous materials in the item, etc.

 

If you like the design of this case, but want to put slightly more stuff in it, try the "ThinkPad Deluxe Expander Case".

It is basically the same case, with one more compartment, to hold some notes and books (no thick textbooks). Then they also have a leather version of this deluxe expander case called "ThinkPad Executive Leather Case".

They are both designed to hold up to 15.4" laptops. I am getting a X200, and would like a small case like the "ThinkPad Ultraportable Case", with some extra space for some books/notes. If only they can make a "ThinkPad Deluxe Ultraportable Expander Case"...

 

Do you know if these cases (either the business topload or the deluxe expander) would fit a T500 with 9cell (extended) battery, sticking out the back?

 

they can fit it. But when you carry the laptop with extended battery which slightly sticks out, it is advisable that you take off the battery when you store the laptop in the bag. My friend have snapped off the battery latch when he dropped the bag, or you should store the battery end facing up and not at the bottom of the bag (this will prevent too much stress placed on the battery latches, if you do drop the bag for some reason).

 

Anyone know if there is any physical store that carries these cases, so that I can go check them out in person?