|
May 27, 2004
So Many Cases, Just One Powerbook!
I find myself in the market for a powerbook case for my soon to be arriving new powerbook. Alas, my Titanium 667 suffered some fairly major bumps and bruises which resulted in two white vertical lines through the screen and a cracked case. ( I wonder what it will fetch in that condition on ebay... ) So even though it was serving my needs well, I have a shiny new Aluminum powerbook on the way to serve me even better! ;) The question I'd like to ask is what cases can you recommend? I am looking for something that is fairly small. I'm not looking for the type of case that your powerbook just so happens to fit into. I would prefer a case designed specifically for the Apple Powerbooks - one that is both durable and stylish. I use my case mainly for packing the laptop to and from the office, but I also need it to hold a paperback, couple of snacks, and a PDA for plane rides. Yeah - so my requirements are pretty much what everyone else is looking for I suppose. So what case(s) can anyone recommend? Update: I'm looking for a case for a 15" Powerbook. (a few places I've looked a bit)   Posted by brian at May 27, 2004 09:35 AMTrackback Pings: TrackBack URL for this entry: Related:
Comments
It's not small, but my favorite case is one I found in the Apple Store. It's by Brenthaven and it's specifically designed for my 17" PB, although I'm certain they have cases for the other PB sizes (BTW, it would help to say what size your new PB is as not all cases come in all sizes). This thing has a removable sleeve for the PB (it velcroes right into the case), several compartments, *tons* of pockets, lots of room for *everything* I need, and is nicely padded. When I really need to carry a lot of stuff, this is what I can put in it (note that I don't usually have anywhere near this much stuff in it): 17" PB, Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan, Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan base, Apple power adaptor, Apple power adaptor extension, Tungsten T3 (palm), Palm dock, GBA, iPod, iPod dock, iPod power adaptor and cable, multiple CDs, including the big CD cases some games come in, game manuals, 40GB external FW HD, FW cable, screen wipes, iSight, iSight cable, iPod earbuds, iPod remote, ethernet cable, a couple of pleasure reading books, big Sennheiser headphones And with all that in there I still have room (albeit not much) to stuff, say, my 120GB external FW drive plus power adaptor in there. Yes, it's heavy, but it's better than not having anything to carry. And even when I'm just carrying my comp, trackball plus base, power adaptor, and palm, it's a great bag. Posted by: kevin on May 27, 2004 10:39 AMI have the Tom Bihn messenger bag that I reviewed when I had my 12" iBook. It is great. With the special insert it does a great job of protecting the goods. BUT! When I upgraded to the 15" PowerBook, the insert was too small and I had to let the PowerBook go commando style in the bag without it. The problem is, the insert is held in by snaps and thus, without it, you are left with exposed snaps that will scratch your 'Book if you don't do something to protect it. I ended up buying a sleeve for protection from the protection. Still a nice bag. Posted by: RickMacMerc on May 27, 2004 10:42 AMI always recommend Spire (http://www.spireusa.com). I have had one of their bags for almost four years now, and I have been extremely happy with it. In fact, I just ordered one of their snazzy new models to replace it (not that it really needed replacing--I just thought the new ones were cool). Posted by: Buzz Andersen on May 27, 2004 11:17 AMToo bad L.L. Bean doesn't make it's Campus LT Computer backpack anymore. I bought one of the last available last year and love it. I suggest you take a look at reviews on O'Grady's PowerPage (http://www.powerpage.org/). Posted by: Ben Rosenthal on May 27, 2004 11:20 AMWhen I got my 15" AlBook, my search for bags quickly narrowed down to the several offered by InCase (http://www.goincase.com, site currently "closed for remodeling"). They're all pretty durable, and they have several good options for people who prefer to carry their PB around with a minimum of baggage bulk. Posted by: Rick Roe on May 27, 2004 1:13 PMI had a Brenthaven for my 15", and it was really great. Tons of space and compartments. I'm using a Spire with my new 17" powerbook, and it is really great...i just wish the sleeve itself was a little more protective like the brenthavens. Posted by: Johnny on May 27, 2004 1:23 PMi picked up one of the incase sling packs for my 12" powerbook. i love it. it's pretty minimal, and has yet to show any signs of wear... Posted by: barclay loftus on May 27, 2004 4:45 PMSF bags, woohoo! (or, if attending WWDC, the free bags are useful [2003 is better for 17" than 15" though IMO]) Posted by: on May 27, 2004 4:59 PMI'll second Spire. The Flux in particular I've been very happy with. Quite sleek, and nicely made. Posted by: lookmark on May 27, 2004 5:17 PMBoblbe-e http://www.boblbee.com/jsp/public/productus/area_hardshell.jsp from me to you. Posted by: Steve on May 27, 2004 9:56 PMI've heard Tenba's products are excellent. (Rather pricy, but well designed, warranted, and VERY durable, so worth it.) http://www.tenba.com/apple/powerbookg4.htm I'd suggest one of these with a laptop-specific sleeve. Not only is it incredibly sturdy, it has the added benefit of not LOOKING like a laptop bag - useful if you're concerned about theft. http://www.bohemianbag.com/plumber.html Posted by: Grant on May 28, 2004 12:36 AMTenba has some cool backpacks and photo+laptop bags (Pro photographer stuff) for laptops - they just announced a 17" backpack with a special iPod pocket. The 15" version doesn't have that iPod pocket. www.tenbagear.com Posted by: Matt on May 28, 2004 5:42 AMI use a combination of sleeve and bag. The sleeve is a Tucano Secondskin - a neoprene wetsuit that tightly hugs my PB (in this case, a 12"). I put this into a Muji laptop bag. The Muji bag is basically a green, canvas shoulderbag with a slim padded pocket at the back. Not sure if it'd take a 15", it might well. There's room in the bag for a folding umbrella, some paperbacks, lunch, and a slim divider for little things. The whole thing has a velcro top-strap for the laptop half, another to close the whole opening, and it folds over. There's a zip pocket on the front. It looks, from the outside, like a plain old cheapish shoulder bag [much like the non-laptop Muji shoulderbag, http://www.muji.co.uk/catalogue/gallery.asp?Sec=4&Sub=25&PID=628] - olive green canvas, much like many people carry. It just happens to have a purpose-designed laptop partition. It's been very comfy, is pretty durable, and is perfect for carrying my 12" PB discretely. You might just wodge a 15" in. Of course, I never asked if Muji have stores in the US... Posted by: tom on May 28, 2004 8:09 AMI, too, recommend incase. http://www.goincase.com . Their site has been "under reconstruction" for some time but their products are available via Apple. In fact, I first saw their products last year a WWDC in the Apple Campus Store. They are custom made for the Powerbooks. Very nice. Posted by: Bryan Schappel on May 28, 2004 10:21 AMI use the Brenthaven 17" bag for one reason: it has the best drop testing of any case. Considering how flexible AL can be and the fact that over-protecting an ALBook is likely impossible, I believe it's the wisest choice. Compliments as well to Bihn, InCase and several others, but Brenthaven won top choice for me. Now, can I get a reduction on my insurance for all this care and concern?
Don't bother looking at the other sites I highly recommend the Crumpler bags. I have one and they're great. They look nice, they're durable, they protect your laptop well, and they're sized almost perfectly for Apple laptops. Posted by: Miichael on May 31, 2004 5:48 AMI think I've narrowed it to 3 bags. (decided to go backpack style) http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=39 The BP.3 looks cool. Lots of pockets, customizable colors, and did I mention it looks cool? http://spireusa.com/products/VL3.html The Volt pack lacks a bit in the looks department, but it seems to get good reviews from people and also looks to be very well put together. Finally, the Brenthaven Professional - lots of features, a nice sleeve, and a lot of people love them. Right now I'm leaning toward the BP.3. It's pretty cheap and seems to have everything I want/need. Posted by: Brian on May 31, 2004 6:34 PMI don't know which Brenthaven bag you mean (shoulder or backpack?), since your link doesn't work (it gives me a timed out message), but I have the Brenthaven Professional 17 Shoulder Case and it's the absolute best bag I've ever seen. I highly recommend it. Posted by: kevin on May 31, 2004 7:51 PMI highly recommend the Ogio Metro. Much like the booq one you linked to, except cheaper and gives you side access to the laptop sleeve. Fantastic bag in my opinion. http://www.ogio.com/products/display.cfm?catid=5&UID=411109&color=1 Posted by: Brian Warren on May 31, 2004 11:53 PMKevin - oops, forgot about the timeout problem. Linking to Brenthaven bags is a pain since their website is all flash. Anyhow, it's called the "Brenthaven Professional Backpack". Brian - hmmmm, that Ogio bag does look very tempting. The "Capitalist" also looks nice. I wish their website had more images and comparisons though. How is the laptop compartment in the Metro? Do your feel like your computer is safe, or do you still feel like you need to handle your pack like it's full of TNT? Posted by: Brian on June 1, 2004 10:04 AMhttp://www.ebags.com/ogio/metro/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=15431 A couple pictures there too. I could (barely) fit my 17" into the compartment, a 15" would be better suited. The compartment was very well padded. Obviously the zipper side wasn't padded, but it still felt very safe. My 17" powerbook was mighty secure, however, it did get scratched on entry and exit from the bag a few times, but that's because i really had to cram it in to make it fit. the zipper doesn't run the entire length of the bag (so if you accidently leave the zipper open, your powerbook doesn't fall out). Which is fine unless you have a lunch-tray sized powerbook. My wife actually designed a cloth flap that she sewed into the bag to facilitate easy entry/exit. The only drawback that the Metro has got lots of pockets (Did i put the ipod cable in this pocket or that pocket - Gah!). The Metro is also kinda big, so if you're looking for something sporty and slim, don't get this one. But this one has tons of space, and thus can look a bit big on your back. Note: it did fit under the seat in front of me on the airplane. The handle is a great handle. Good for just grabbin' the bag. The way the handle is oriented though, makes for it looking just a tiny bit awkward when you're wearing the backpack. It makes it look like the backpack is riding a little low on your back. It's plenty comfortable though. Posted by: Brian Warren on June 1, 2004 11:35 AMhttp://dealmac.com/articles/66992.html?ref=rss Act now! Posted by: Brian Warren on June 2, 2004 2:34 PMBrian - thanks for the tip. I spent another good hour perusing bags on that site. I still am leaning towards the Booq BP.3 pack. I like the small form factor and the overall style. Indecision - my middle name! Posted by: Brian on June 2, 2004 9:31 PMBooq does seem to make high quality stuff. Classy-lookin too. I can't get over the price though. Hard for me to spend 100+ bucks on a bag. Then again, it's something that you do want to get right. When I got my Ogio, I thought I was getting the bag of my dreams and I wouldn't ever have to get a new one...... that was until some creep in vancouver stole it (with my powerbook, ipod, etc. inside). Posted by: Brian Warren on June 3, 2004 12:19 AMCheck out the UK rag iCreate at your nearest bookstore. In one of the advertisements is a custom built case to your specs that allows for everything you've mentioned and also can be converted to a tilted surface where you can place your PowerBook atop; all of this and maximum protection and security. I once had their link, but have since lost it. Anyway, it'll be in the magazine. Posted by: CREB on June 4, 2004 11:05 AMI think that might be what you're talking about. I forgot about that one. That guy seems to make really good stuff. Kinda different... http://www.sjdesign.com/backoffice.html Posted by: Brian Warren on June 4, 2004 11:42 AMthe timbuk2 messenger bags and laptop sleeves make a good combo. i have a medium sized bag (el ocho) with one of their old style, foam padded sleeves. it works great, though the next larger bag size might be a better fit for the 15" powerbooks if you want to keep other stuff in the bag as well. i used to ride my bike to work with my iBook, a little lunch, and clothes and never had a problem. the 15" powerbook and sleeve take up more room, so i haven't ridden with it in the bag yet. their laptop bags look pretty good, but i don't own one. their new sleeves are a zippered design and are now made in china instead of san francisco like their originals were. i think i got the old style right before they switched designs. anyway, good luck! Posted by: nate on June 5, 2004 8:06 PMPiercing Catalog? How's that gonna carry my 15" PB? I love tom bihn's bags and have the ID for daily use and the Empire Builder for overnights or plane trips. I have one Brain Cell (reinforced sleeve) that I switch between the two larger shells. Tom Bihn rules. Phil Posted by: Phillip Andrus on June 9, 2004 8:29 AMHey all, My Booq BP3 System arrived yesterday. (http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=44) I got the Gray/Orange combo. So far it's great. The only complaint I have is that the Powersleeve 15 doesn't fit into the laptop compartment as well as I would have hoped. It's very tight. But it does fit and provides a lot of padding/protection when carried that way. Many thanks to everyone for their help in finding a great bag. I hope this one lives up to it's price tag - the Ogio bad talked about earlier was probably my #2 choice, but the smaller size of the Booq bag was what made the final decision for me. Posted by: Brian on June 9, 2004 10:06 AMperhaps you need a foofbag to protect your powerbook once it's inside your case we'd consider 15" tweed if you really wanted it Posted by: dirtymouse on June 15, 2004 2:23 PMCompushell. check it out. Also seen as the Mactruck at radtech.us Posted by: mott on June 24, 2004 2:52 PMi just bought the kensigton bag from the apple-uk website for my ALPowerbook 15.2. I am quite please with it as it has a great design, my laptop fits well and I still have plenty of space to carry other stuff, it was reasonable priced (69quid), and even has an apple logo :) especially designed for apple. I am surprised no one else mentioned so far this fine bag. Yanni Posted by: Yanni on July 2, 2004 3:34 PMKeep comments on topic. If a comment is unrelated to this post, it may be removed or moderated. |