[bob_hearn]

I know, this subject has probably been beaten to death... but I'm still looking for a workable bag.

The one critical piece of information missing from most bag websites is WEIGHT. This computer already weighs 1.4 lb more than the 15" - the penalty is compounded by the need for a larger, heavier bag. Why do we pay so much attention to the weight of the computer, and ignore the extra weight required to carry it?

What I want is something like the Swiss Army bag I have now, the Web Cadet (http://www.theswisswarehouse.com/swisarwebcad.html). This bag weighs 1 lb 10 oz. It's incredibly lightweight, pretty sharp, and comfortably holds the 15" and a fair number of accessories / books.

The only 17" bags I've seen that provide weight info are either too heavy (Brenthaven: 4.2 lb!!!) or too minimalist (sleeves). The Acme Slim (http://www.acmemade.com/bags.html) is perhaps the lightest bag that's not strictly a sleeve (it has a side pocket), and it's attractive, but really it has very little room for carrying extras.

The Racer-X (http://www.sfbags.com/PRODUCTS/RXM_INFO/rxm.htm) seems like an option, although the styling is not what I'd choose. Does anybody know what it weighs?

Willow bags (http://www.willowdesign.com/) are nice, and provide weight info, but are all so highly padded as to be too heavy for their carrying size (IMO). The Vermillion (http://www.willowdesign.com/SC-37.html) comes pretty close, but at 2.9 lb it's pushing the weight budget, and it has less room for accessories than my Swiss Army bag.

Carlos Pero made a fairly complete list of bags (http://www.canyouhearmenow.com/), but that list is almost a month old now. None of the bags there that have weight info listed seem to have the basic combination of light weight and room for a few accessories.

Am I missing something? Opinions? Recommendations?

Thanks!

[freud]

You could try emailing them to get accurate weights.

[mattnl]

have you looked at www.tombihn.com ? i have the smart alec pack with the monolith sleeve. the monolith is the best sleeve i've ever seen.. amazing protection. it's suspension style protection.. all padded and a hard shell on the outside. amazing. the bag is really nice and roomy, with good utility pockets. and it's a good price at $150 US for the whole package including shipping.

matt.

[dragonbong]

Willow bags (http://www.willowdesign.com/) are nice, and provide weight info, but are all so highly padded as to be too heavy for their carrying size (IMO). The Vermillion (http://www.willowdesign.com/SC-37.html) comes pretty close, but at 2.9 lb it's pushing the weight budget, and it has less room for accessories than my Swiss Army bag.
! [/B]

2.9lbs is too heavy?

[Wet Jimmy]

I'd second the vote for the Tom Bihn Smart Alec and Monolith combo. Best bag and sleeve by far.

[bob_hearn]

Originally posted by dragonbong:
2.9lbs is too heavy?

Well, it's 1.3 lbs heavier than my current bag, which is plenty roomy for my 15" and accessories. So upgrading costs me 1.4 lbs of extra computer weight, and almost as much in bag weight? A 17" equivalent of my bag would be 2 lb, not 2.9, and it would hold a lot more than the Vermillion.

No, there's no reason a good balance between weight and size can't be struck; I just haven't seen it yet.

Yes, a Tom Bihn pack + sleeve would work. But I want a bag, not a pack, and a sleeve is redundant if the bag is light enough.

So, I'm picky! I admit it.

[iHanhauser]

I like the looks of this MarWare bag.


http://marware.com/SFExtreme.html



It looks pretty cool .... I might get it.



iHanhauser

[bob_hearn]

Originally posted by iHanhauser:
I like the looks of this MarWare bag.

Not bad; thanks for the link. But still, I need a little more room... I tend to always be carrying a few books.

[bob_hearn]

Update: the 17" Racer-X weighs 3.1 lb, in case anyone else is interested.