[ltp] Carrying Case??

[David Tansey]

Mark,

Thanks for the suggestions. What model backpack did you get, and what TP
do you have?

I got a backback with a laptop padded compartment before, wasn't much of
a fan. Like you said, shoddy construction. Also, it was meant for
15"/17" notebooks -- not 12" notebooks. The only ultraportable notebook
cases I've found are basically just sleeves. I am looking for something
professional looking that I can use when I need more than just my
laptop. My current case is great for when I just need my laptop and AC
adapter and a few files, but I need something for when I am going abroad
for work or taking the metro and want to have a few extra things. I've
found the Targus Organizer and Expander cases to be promising, but they
aren't explicitly designed for sub-15" notebooks, and I've never seen
one live so I don't know if they're too big.

I wish there was some store that carried many brands of notebook cases.
Or even just some reviews online of good carrying cases for different
sized laptops. I mean, aren't there lots of CEOs buying x40s and
traveling around the world with them? I can't imagine that they all
carry them separately from their regular luggage/briefcases.

Sorry -- that was longer than I intended. Thanks for the tips. I'll look
at both companies. The Lowepro site seems promising. Too bad very few of
the shoulder bags have extra shots so  Ican see their capacities.

Thanks again,

David

On Sun, 2005-07-03 at 08:11 -0400, Mark W. Jeanmougin wrote:
> On Sun, 3 Jul 2005, David Tansey wrote:
> > Does anyone here have a good suggestion for a carrying case that is
> > designed either for the X or T series? I have an x40 and am dying for a
> > carrying case with some room for a book or two and a few files. 
> 
> I'm looking for the same thing.  I had been using bags from L.L. Bean ( 
> http://www.llbean.com/ ) for over a decade and loved every one.  Their 
> customer support has always been great too.  Once I got my first ThinkPad 
> 7 years ago or so, I bought a backpack from them that has a padded 
> compartment for a laptop.  Very disappointing.  The build quality was not 
> up to their normal quality.  The bag, overall, was fine, it just felt like 
> the laptop sleeve was a late afterthought.  I tried a second, different 
> style from them.  Same thing: Bag was nice, the laptop padding wasn't.  
> 
> Now, I'm using a Lowepro backpack.  If you're not familiar with these 
> guys, they are more geared to making bags for camera equipment.  Well, 
> with photography getting more digital, photographers need to carry laptops 
> with them.  These guys know how to build a bag to protect upwards of 
> $8000 worth of camera equipment.  So, your ThinkPad will be safe.  :)
> 
> My Lowepro back pack is built like a tank.  Very reliable, very sturdy,
> and pretty light.  Comfortable to wear, lots of padding to protect my
> ThinkPad.  My only complaint is that it doesn't have room for many papers
> or books.  I mean, you can fit a magazine or two, and let's say, 50 sheets
> of 8.5x11 in a few manila folders, but that's about it.  The nice thing
> about the llbean stuff is that you could fit an O'Reilly book or two, a
> change of clothes to catch the game after work, a magazine, some papers,
> and lunch, all in there with the TP.
> 
> Anyway, I now have (from Lowepro) a ... "laptop sleeve".  I'm not sure
> what to call it.  It's basically a very well padded, little bag that holds
> your ThinkPad, Power adapter, and has another pocket.  I store an extra
> Ethernet cable in it.  It's great if I need to bring the laptop to a 
> meeting.  I just grab that and I have everything I need, without feeling 
> like I'm moving into a conference room.
> 
> So, I'm thinking about going back to an LL Bean bag.  I figure that I can
> put the laptop in the Lowepro sleeve.  Put the sleeve in the back back, and 
> still have plenty of room for all the stuff I like to carry around.
> 
> On one hand, I know that I carry too much stuff around with me.  OTOH, I 
> figure that the 15 minute walk each way from my car to the office is the 
> best exercise I get every day, so I may as well add some weight so I get a 
> better workout!  :)
> 
> MJ
> 
>