I've got a new MBP for work and I'm now looking for options.
- minimal commute - I don't expect to bring my laptop home very often, I mostly need it to move my computer from place to place in the Outreach Building
- limited travel - I might go on may be one or two business trips a year
- less than normal capacity - I'd be fine with only about 1000 cu in of additional storage, I don't need a lot of organization pockets--I never used them much anyhow
- black - I don't want anything flashy, I need something relatively professional-looking
- cost - my department is buying one for me, but I should keep it less than $125
- build - relatively high-quality and refined
- alternative - would be nice to have PV cells, but they're expensive; CCW would be interesting, but not practical
Possible styles:
- Messenger bag - a solid possibility since I probably won't be carrying around my laptop very much
- Backpack - good all-around choice, more comfortable with heavier loads
- Sleeve - great if the 17" MBP fits in my panniers for biking, not my first choice since I don't have a bag now that's big enough for the MBP on a daily basis
- Briefcase - classic, but lame
Possible choices:
- Timbuk2 Commute 2.0 Messenger Large - $120, 3.2 lb, 17 x 11.5 x 6, great carry-all
- Bumbakpak Hamptons - $95, 1386 cu in, cool carrying options for a messenger bag, might be heavy
- STM Large Convertible - $60, 17.1 x 12.6 x 3.5 inches, backpack to shoulder strap, great design although it uses velcro for the flaps, minimal storage space
- Northface Hot Shot - $89, 2 lb 2 oz, 2000 cu in, doubles well for the trail
- Brenthaven Pro - $179, 3.75 lb, 1975 cu in, excellent protection
- MacCase Combo - $80, pretty basic, includes a nice sleeve
- Targus Groove - $40, 2.75 lb, the price concerns me, looks pretty standard, better than some I've seen
- Northface Surge - $115, 2 lb 10 oz, 2150 cu in, kinda large, but fully featured
- AXIO Tekno - $180, 5 lb, 18.5”H x 13.5”W x 9”D, cool design, but expensive and very heavy
- Incase - decent neoprene sleeve, but nothing else
- Booq - nothing
- Crumpler - nothing
