[shecky]

i know the bags themselves are great so i am pretty sure I will be making the investment in a Timbuk2 bag - but it is unclear as to which model and size of bag to get for a 15" AlBook i will soon be buying when they are released (hopefully)

the bag will carry the 'book in its laptop sleeve (tho i may get a different sleeve from anotehr company - one that completely encloses the 'book, not leaving the top open) along with some books, maybe an ipod, pens, couple of sketchbooks, etc... and all the other crap a graphic design student needs to haul around campus evey day. its just hard to tell which bag is the right bag!

i *think* that the Transit - Commute bag is the closest thing they have to an actual "laptop bag" but its kind of limited in colors and so on.

what do you all use?

[off/lang]

I have both a Timbuk2 bag and a 15" Powerbook. I love them both. The bag I have is the el centro. It was from the commuter computer bag line, which they seem to have replaced with the bag you linked to. (though they still have a direct link to the el centro here ).

I really like the bag. Do get a sleeve--I don't have one and wish I did. My bag, which is 1300 cubic inches, has plenty of room for the powerbook, and a book/notebook. The most I've fit into mine at one point was my powerbook, one 4" thick textbook (Computer Architecture), and two four subject notebooks--it had room for more, but was very heavy.

I also always carry a TI-89, a Handspring Visor, an umbrella, one mechanical pencil, one pen, and my iPod. (not that you care).

They are good bags.

[fado]

TimBuk2 is a great company... I have three bags from them and they just introduced an ipod carrying case that can be attached to your shoulder strap. You don't have to buy a new bag to get it... you can attach it to any strap to be honest and choose any color you wish.

Additionally, you can even request the bag to be designed for left handed people that many individuals are not aware about. It makes adjustment easier for cyclist.

[shecky]

I ended up emailing Timbuk2 asking the same questions i asked above - the prompt response i got was as follows:

Hi,

the commute bag is designed around holding a laptop. it comes standard with a sewn in, padded laptop compartment. this bag has a lot more pockets than our messenger bag, it also has a carrying handle and a padded back. If the commute bag is big enough for your needs (1056 cubic inches) then I suggest it. If it's not big enough, you have the option of purchasing our large messenger bag (Dee Dog, 2149 cubic inches) along with a padded laptop sleeve. The sleeve is open along the top and there is not a special slot for it inside the bag, but this combo would give you the extra room you may need.

frankly, i have a few issues here-

1. the commute bag is to small for my needs
2. getting a dee dog and tossing in a sleeve is not as much protection as i need - the idea of the sleeve bouncing around unattached or even in its own pocket inside the bag is worrying me
3. the sleeve they have is an open top (granted i could by a sleeve elsewhere and use it that way)
4. the dee dog loses all of the functionality of the organizer pockets

so.... much as i love the bags (and i do) I need to get high quality - i am gonna be hauling around a $3K powerbook in new england in the winter - i need a good bag. I am currently tossing up between a Tom Bihn and a Waterfield (leaning towards the waterfield large cargo)