Targus Radiance Ladies Laptop Tote Bag Review

by Niki Breese

Introduction

The Targus Radiance is a ladies tote bag that comes in three colors; chocolate brown, petal pink, and sage. It features a padded sleeve that can bestaccommodate notebooks with an approximate screen size of 15-inches.

Style

The Targus Radiance Tote bagunder reviewfeaturesthe chocolate brown color option, this color would be a good choice for a business woman that wants to look trendy and professional.The brown iscertainly more understated than the petal pink option, you'll obviously choose color basedon your work environment and fashiontastes.

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The shape of the bagis very square overall, the exterior dimensions of 15.25" x 14" (h x w)give you an idea of this fact. The bottom of the bag isblack and you have the same color handles to match. The style is attractively sleek and modern looking. If you're the more outrageous and like to get noticed type, the pink option offers a faux crocodile pattern on the bottom and handles (faux meaning no crocodiles were actually harmed in making of this bag!).

The overall bag construction isa brown microfibre. The black areas you seeare a black PVC material. The overall feel of thematerialis sturdy, withthe black bottomPVC area seemingespecially resilient and durable.

Features Overview

Unzip the Targus Radiance bag and you'll find it has a single deep storage area. This storage areais a padded compartment that offers a securing Velcro strap to hold a notebook in place. The compartment can house a 15" screen or smaller notebook. I have a 15.4" screen Dell notebook and wasjust barely able to squeeze that into the bag(see picture below). 15" or 14" screen notebooks would be a better fit, I wouldn't really recommend thisas a great solution for carrying a large 15.4" screen laptop.

For organization the baghas four card slips to carry business cards or ID, four looped pencil /pen holders, a large slip pouch that could store an MP3 player and one deep but tight zipper pocket. There is also includeda detachable pouch that could be used to store make-up or money. The Radiance tote couldfill in nicely as a pseudo-briefcasetype of carry bag or even fill-in as a large purse thatsimply hasa place for a laptop.

Definitely worth a mention,a breast cancer support ribbon key chain comes with the bag. The little package the keychain came in says, "Funds will be used to support breast cancer initiatives."

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Dimensions:

The recommended largest size dimension laptop that will fit inside this bag are designated by Targus as being the following: 13.19" x 11.81" x 1.69"

The actual overall exterior dimensions of the Targus Radiance are:15.25" x 4.125" x 14"

Downsides:

The laptop compartment is a tad thin and doesn't offer as good protection as a thick and highly cushionedTargus backpack would. The frame of the bag can get misshapen if you don't treat it properly and after some roughusage you mightsee somedints and dings on close inspection. The stitching could also have been a bit better.

Conclusions:

The Targus Radiance tote is a trendy tote bag for ladies. Itoffers goodstorage space forpaper, pencils, books, make-up, and of course laptops of up to 15 inches in screen size!One of the major selling points is that this bag is very affordable, it costs $39.99,which isreally not too bad.Additionally, a portion of the purchase will go to support thefight againstbreast cancer, so you can feel extra good about buying this bag.

Pros

• Durable materials
• Sleek and Modern Looks
• Deep opening with good storage to stay organized
• Detachable pouch
• It is possible to fit a smaller dimensioned 15.4" laptopin here
• Good price

Cons

• Laptop compartment doesn't offer the best protection
• No external storage for quick access to smaller items
• Only supposed to fit laptops up to 15"
• Stitching could be better, dings and dints may show up if used roughly

Pricing and Availability

Chocolate:

Sage:

Pink:

 

Thanks for the review Niki, the price can't be argued with and the style looks decent. Seems like they should have made it just slightly larger though to easily fit any 15.4" notebook.

I have a 14.1" laptop so no problem for me. I think I'll buy the pink one, should match that pink pair of shoes I have...

 

Good review Niki
Tim

*edit: Andrew has pink shoes??? Is there something that I am missing? =O*

 

Nice review!

 

Nice review Niki, I really need to write one on something, I'm tired of being blue, everyone's going black these days, even aero.

 

That's a great price on that bag, and it looks quite nice. Thanks for the clear and concise review Niki.

Chaz

 

just wondering .. what percentage of the forumers are women..
would be interesting to find..

 

1 in every 10? ; I have no idea, atleast on a notebook forum.

Pink would be a lovely shade for you Andrew. It'd really bring out the pin of your cheeks (See Levono v100 review). =P

Thanks guys!

 

According to this, it's about a 1:7 ratio in favor of males.