Laptop Bags Revisted
Posted on | March 26, 2005 | 38 Comments
Sad to say, but I’m having buyer’s remorse about the black polka dotted laptop bag I bought recently at Target. Sure it is slick looking and better then a corporate issued black bag, but all it took was one use when flying from Houston to Boston to discover some design flaws.
First off, the bag fits a laptop and thats it. Let me repeat that, it fits the lap top only. There was no place to put my mouse or power cord and I had to wrap them up and jam them in the side which made it nearly impossible to zip up with out ripping the zipper. I can’t think of a possible time when I would need a lap topbag but wouldn’t also need these items. And the zippered pocket on the side was pretty much useless.
The detachable shoulder strap was the best, and only useful feature. Well, the polka dots were nice too. But besides that I was pretty much just annoyed and frustrated with this bag while making my way into the airport, or when I was commuting into Boston to work. And the whole point of the laptop bag is that it should make them easier and convenient.
So the laptop bag has found a new home. I’ve given it to my sister who has a slightly smaller laptop that will be a better fit for this bag
But I’m not giving up, in fact I already have my eye on a new laptop bag at Timbuk2 (seen via Purseuing). I like the shape of the bag, it doesn’t look like a laptop bag at all. There are a number of vibrant colors to choose from and I’m interested to see the “no-slip shoulder handles”. The bag doesn’t look too big or too small, and it could also be used as a travel bag or even and everyday bag with or without a laptop. The web site is well designed and even has a button that shows a picture of the inside of the bag.
I’ve already found the stores nearby that carry Timbuk2 and hope to stop by sometime and see how the bag looks in person.
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38 Responses to “Laptop Bags Revisted”
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March 27th, 2005 @ 8:41 am
Good choice. I’d like a Timbuk2 customized messenger bag, but that’s down the road. I hear they treat their workers right, too.
March 27th, 2005 @ 7:02 pm
I use a very slim laptop bag myself, that doesn’t fit anything but the laptop and maybe a filefolder or two. I put all of my accessories in a medium-sized purse. I keep my makeup bag, car keys, and cell phone as well as my powercord in the purse.
I see it as a chance to have a second purse rather than a drawback!
March 27th, 2005 @ 10:54 pm
I also use a slim laptop bag and a purse to put everything else that I may need. That gives me the freedom to carry a small bag or a tote that can also fit my laptop.
March 28th, 2005 @ 8:07 pm
I bought a Timbuk2 laptop bag a few months ago and I LOVE it. Its one of the plain old messenger bags, but it has more than enough room for the TiBook and a huge PHP book plus my DayRunner.
March 28th, 2005 @ 10:15 pm
I bought(and returned) the dotty laptop bag Target as well. Way too small. Ugh…I had just returned the Mobile Edge Komen Microfiber Tote in the black and pink. It was adorable but was awkwardly large for my 5′2″ frame. I’m still searching for the perfect laptop bag that isn’t too boring…
March 30th, 2005 @ 2:15 am
This looks great – I’ll have to look into; I’m tired of my bulky backpack laptop case.
March 30th, 2005 @ 4:08 am
I have a nice laptop bag from mandarina duck, which does look as a serious bag but not too much. And it comes in various colors.
April 6th, 2005 @ 10:34 am
I love the bowling-bag look of the green one. Never seen one of those before. Sad about the polka dots, though.
April 8th, 2005 @ 12:06 pm
This is a great-looking laptop bag. I went to their web site to check out more features, and I’m quite impressed. The various color options are all nice, but that bathroom-tile green is tops in my book. Oh yeah… the patterned interior is a sweet little touch.
April 10th, 2005 @ 3:30 am
I to am going to get a laptop for college and being the lover of all things that have a handle and that you can carry your every day items I dread the thought of the horrible black laptop bag. BUT alas there is a small gleaming of light coming over the horizon of horrible bags, this light is http://www.caseclosedbags.com/home_new/, especially if you have a slight weird taste in bags this is the place to go.
April 11th, 2005 @ 1:05 pm
I really struggled to find funky laptop bags in the UK – far too many big black bulky jobbies. Have a look here: http://www.closetspy.com/archives/2005/03/these_are_a_few_6.html
for the few that I came up with that looked less like laptop cases and more like chic (albeit large) handbags.
Mx
April 15th, 2005 @ 10:25 am
These are the most intelligently designed, well made laptop bags I’ve ever used, I can’t recommend them highly enough: http://www.sfbags.com
The company is Waterfield Designs, and they make all of their own bags in San Francisco. I urge you to check them out!
April 15th, 2005 @ 4:40 pm
I used lots of laptop bags- being a Laptop product manager for
10 years. The key thing is that unless the bag is designed for laptops, you will not get protection.
There is one company that stands out in this crowd. The bags are very stylish and specifically designed for laptops. Please check it out. If you are after quality and style – this is the place to go.
http://www.Nevora.com
April 21st, 2005 @ 12:51 am
Have you seen these beautiful things:
http://www.linandleo.com/lapbags.html
June 20th, 2005 @ 8:27 am
I spend some time looking around and came across these
http://www.knomobags.com
September 5th, 2005 @ 10:29 am
I bought the Timbuk2 Marina laptop bag and I’m loving it. It holds my Dell Latitude D410, keys, ids, wallet, bag of girly essentials, water bottle, mouse, power cord, and a casebook (massive law school text book). Just be wary of the colors if you buy it online: The lime is actually a horrid neon yellow and the kelly green, which is what I’ve stuck with, a cross between teal and a kind of aqua green. But all my fashionable classmates have complimented me on it and it’s SO much better than a backpack!
January 12th, 2006 @ 1:35 pm
I just bought a dark silver metallic leather laptop bag called the Skye bag. I love it. It’s a new line from LA – I think! – called Alex Grant bags. (I first saw it in the window of Fred Segal there). It has a removable case inside, so it works like two bags in one. I wanted a bag that looked cool and hip, but fit everything for traveling. I bought it online at:
http://www.agbstore.com/bags/totes/skye/index.html
January 16th, 2006 @ 10:36 am
If you would like a fun and funky laptop bag you should try funandfunkybags.co.uk. I recently bought a laptop bag from there and they are really different from anything else that you find on the market.
January 17th, 2006 @ 9:16 pm
If you are still looking for really cute laptop bags, I saw some great ones at Macworld last week made out of vintage fabrics. The woman who makes them has a website: http://www.myrebe.com. She makes bags and sleeves for 12″, 15″ and 17″ laptops. Oh and she makes some sleeves that have shoulder straps in case you like to keep your other stuff in a purse. They were very uniqe and different than anything I’ve seen. I also really liked the Timbuktu bags I saw there. They had quilted sleeves in nice colors like pink, blue and green. If you can’t tell, I like the sleeves so you can slide your laptop into a messenger bag or whatever bag you have that is big enough and have it be protected.
February 15th, 2006 @ 11:17 am
have an apple ibook G4 with a 12inch screen and am looking at the timbuktu bags. which one will fit my size of laptop? any suggestions?
February 21st, 2006 @ 9:05 pm
actually, i have a glenroyal chic bag that i got at aunt sadies in boston-i love it and everything fits perfectly
May 12th, 2006 @ 1:45 am
I just ordered the Timbuk2… in lime! (A previous post said the lime color was ugly… guess I’ll wait til I see it in person.) I’m looking for something that will carry papers, magazines, a small purse, etc. as well as ocassionally carry a laptop. Whenever I find a bag big enough it seems to weigh a ton — empty! Especially the leather bags. I think the nylon bag would be lighter, and I love the look. ALSO look at Marka bags http://markaonline.com/. Lovely but a little pricey for my cheap self. (Hope the lime green looks better in Texas!)
May 16th, 2006 @ 8:43 pm
They also have some really great messenger bags with great colors. I’m having trouble finding the bag you mentioned though.
May 18th, 2006 @ 5:02 am
I was wondering if any of you know of a great laptop bag perferably with a sleeve that can fit a 17 inch macbook pro. I know this sounds contradictory but…I don’t want to spend a lot of money on it. However it has to hold up. I have been searching high and low for a bag that will fit more than just a laptop. Anyone know of any places? I’m about at my wits end. Oh, and keep in mind I’m a college (art) student so I’m open to new designs as long as they aren’t too “mommy” haha! Have I been descriptive enough?
August 4th, 2006 @ 12:28 am
I have had my eye on the Minimalist bag by Zegari.
http://www.zegari.com
August 13th, 2006 @ 10:52 pm
I also bought the marina bag by timbuk2 and love it. i didn’t think i would be ok not having a separate protective sleeve, but i get along great without one. the only design flaws for me are no ipod pocket and that the front pocket is a little slim for my liking. but all around it has been cute and tres functional!
August 18th, 2006 @ 12:19 pm
I have a Dell Inspiron E1705 – I can’t find a “slim” laptop backpack… any ideas?
September 8th, 2006 @ 3:55 pm
Try this website.
http://www.acmemade.com
September 18th, 2006 @ 6:02 pm
I bought this Bumbakpak bag for my 15.4″ widescreen Dell and it’s been a lifesaver! It’s made carrying around my laptop so much easier! I believe they have 4 different sizes for laptops and great colors/styles. http://www.bumbakpaks.com
September 19th, 2006 @ 1:36 pm
This London based company has got some really sleek and fashionable laptop bags in the market. Check it out!
October 14th, 2006 @ 5:12 pm
Flicka Bags – http://www.flickabags.com – is a small Indie company that makes fabulously funky laptop sleeves – made to fit your laptop.
No where have I seen such cool sleeves!
February 1st, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
I think Timbuk2 is too big. I like the slim laptop bag which I can carry my 12″ laptop, wallet and a notebook for meeting. Recently, I found a slim laptop bag – 5th Ave – fits my needs. A brand called ixRed, you can find them @ http://www.ixRed.com. Cheer!
February 28th, 2007 @ 11:35 am
I have really struggled to find funky and fashionable laptop bags in the UK, the ones I’ve come across are big, bulky and boring. I needed something that would protect my laptop as I cycle to uni. I came across a brand called Crumpler, I did some search and decided to buy one (I LOVE it!).
I bought it online from
http://www.think4.com/accessories__59/xlp-crumpler_laptop_bags.html
October 4th, 2007 @ 3:50 am
Hi,
I dunno whether this blog’s still active but came across it as I was just doing some research on bags as i just bought a laptop, and also i make bags so i wanted to make myself one and also wanted to find out what designs are already out there. i really hate those black case things…and love my new green velvet one!
let me know if you have any tips as am thinking about making more to sell…
cheers, amyxx
December 16th, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
I found the most amazing selection of really fashionable laptop computer bags at http://www.jtotebags.com. And they offer free shipping.
Cheers, Jean
February 21st, 2009 @ 10:57 am
i just purchased a bag thefacebrand for my laptop. it is quite nice. they are limited right now with styles but they have very nice bags.
April 24th, 2009 @ 9:50 am
I know exactly what you are saying. I started carrying a Baekgaard laptop tote and love it. It does not look like a laptop bag and it fits my 17″ computer. It also has two large slip pkts for files and other items you might want to carry around. It comes in so many colors too. Check out their website: http://www.baekgaardltd.com
May 5th, 2009 @ 11:40 am
I took a look at that black polka dotted laptop bag and wondered whatever compelled Target to call it a “laptop” bag. Simply because it’s big enough to hold a laptop?? I find this deceptive advertising. Why not call it an iPhone bag or Jimmy Choo bag as it will hold these objects as well? Anyway, it looks like you made a good choice with the Timbuk2 bag. (Functionality has to fit in there somewhere!) It’d be good to hear how you like it after more wear-and-tear.