-= Let's hear it for MacNN's flaky forums! Here's the message which was MEANT to be posted in the forst place. Apologies for the double post! =-
Just thought I'd make a quick post praising these two top pieces of gear. I'm still waiting for my 17" to arrive, but in the meantime, my Smart Alec (grape) backpack and Size 1 Monolith Sleeve from Tom Bihn as shown up.
I have to say, this is a very nice looking backpack - the simplicity of the shape, free of obvious external pockets is certainly a nice bit of design, and the grape is a particularly striking colour (even if I do say so myself). I was a little surprised that there is no lining on the inside of the bag - I was expecting the material to be a little thicker I suppose, but considering this is "tough as nails" ballistic nylon, I'm sure there won't be any problems.
The zippers across the top of the bag are particularly nice - the external side of the zippers has a nice rubbery coating which I'm assuming makes the zip all but entirely waterproof. There's plenty of room inside the bag to store a lot of junk, even with the Monolith installed - and while I would have liked the zippers across the top to extend further down the bag allowing you to open it right up like a clamshell, the opening is still wide enough to easily reach inside.
Speaking of the inside, there is one large storage pocket, one medium (great size for an iPod w/case) and a variety of pen pockets. Plenty of storage for an extra battery, portable HD, powersupply, etc, etc.
The outside of the bag has two "hidden" pockets on each side, the zippers hidden behind a flap and in close to your back. I can't forsee a pick pocket rifling through ANY part of this bag without you knowing about it.
The Monolith is exactly that - a big, black rectangular SLAB. Tapping on it, it feels like there's a solid sheet of plastic under then nylon outer, and this extends to all five sides (the sixth of course being the top, which is zippered). Inside, the sleeve is thickly padded, and the 17" powerbook will hang in a "sling", suspended about an inch and a half up from the bottom of the bag, theoretically allowing you to drop the Monolith while the Powerbook jsut bobs happily unaware. I won't be INTENTIONALLY testing this, but the fact that the feature exists makes me rest a little easier.
The method by which the Monolith is secured inside the bag is really my only real gripe - Using an awkward array of four plastic hooks (one facing up, the next down, the next up, the last down) you "weave" a special strap which is attached to the Monolith under and over these hooks. Granted, it holds the monolith in place, but it's just plain awkward. Maybe a zipper would have been a better option?
Anyway, all in all, the Smart Alec is an exceptionally well manufactured bag, and suits my purposes to a tee. It's not as bulky as the Brain Bag (I'm 6'2", so size isn't the issue - I just don't need to carry that much crap) and far more stylish than the Brenthaven. The Monolith is a perfect companion - a very solid, FUNCTIONAL sleeve, without any bells or whistles. The two make a great couple
Anyway, HIGHLY reccomended! Buy the bags and I'm sure you'll have a big grin when you get to use them yourself. Enjoy!
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