[Peabo]

I just ordered the new 1.33ghz 17" PowerBook and It'll be my first portable computer ever! Can anyone reccomend a decently priced carrying case for it? I saw the ones on Apple's site but I thought I'd check with people who've actually bought these things before!

Thanks in advance

[bluejam]

www.sfbags.com. I love mine. They will last a lifetime.

[Peabo]

Originally posted by bluejam:
www.sfbags.com. I love mine. They will last a lifetime.

I forgot to mention that I'm in the UK; anyone know any good brands over here?

[MickS]

I'm looking for a case for my new 17" in the UK as well.

I'm not keen on laptop bags that look like laptop bags. So the only one I can find so far that fits is the Crumpler Crisp Suit (though the local shop doesn't have one).

Any other recommendations for similar style bags or backpacks that will take the 17"?

[macbum]

I have my Crisp Suit waitng for my 17" which I bought from Computer Wharehouse (who I don't really like) but at least I could see them in the flesh. It has good quality stitching and is water resistant. Plus plenty of pockets for cameras and cds.
Also bought a Brain Cell to put inside or use as a lighter case. It was going to be a Mareware Exteme Sleeve but they were out of stock or a Acmemade but that was too expensive seeing how much this has cost already.

[danbrew]

Tumi makes a very nice leather and a very nice nylon case designed for the 17". It's has a padded sleve and there is plenty of room inside for accessories. I like the fact that is is designed to put attached over the carrying handle of a roll on suitcase - you know, the kind that has a handle that pops up and allows you to tote your bag through the airport? It's cool. If there's interest, let me know and I'll post pictures. Priced from $150 to 300.

[PB2K]

..and they all look like ladies-bags, you are young, get a backpack, if you're old, it will make you juvenile

Check out www.hedgren.com for flashy packs.

[Dougmc]

I have the Brenthaven backpack, which has a sleeve designed specifically for the 17" PowerBook. I'm very comfortable with all it has to offer after about 5 months of use.

You can see a review of it here .

[seventn]

I really like my Marware case:

http://www.marware.com/Overview_N_Laptop.html

Made of neoprene...smoothe......

[Lertsiri]

Trust me guys and gals with PB 17" PB rev A and B.....Zero Halliburton Z5 in Aluminum or Gun Metal color are the best cases for the beast for beauty, matching made material and safety. Inside the case, the padding was made seemingly to fit specifically the PB 17". Weight is not that heavy due to construction material used. And this case came out before the PB 17" did! Amazing! I purchased this case a year ago originally for my aging PB G3 Pismo...(still in use). I purchased the gun metal one. Underneath that coat of gun metal paint is all anodized aluminum. But the aluminum version is less prone to scratches. I rate my protective care I take of the case and Powerbook by my number of scratches!( hehe so far 2 hairline scratches that are about 3 mm in lenght and all are on the bottom due to pavement or little knicks from passerbys with hard objects such as keys... but not bad for a year record at least nothing scratches my Powerbook and that is the key factor!)

As for the cost, well....for me, if I really wanted protection this thing has got sealed rubber gasket so its waterproof, and pretty much indestructable unless you drive a steam roller over this sucker. Its got comfy handles and a pair of security locks. Also they have a custom shoulder strap with secured attachments. The custom attachments is the only gripe I have with this thing...makes putting my air cushion Lowel shoulder strap on impossible....but then again I find that the supplied shoulder strap was good enough for those occasions where I am on the run...Inside, there is also a pouch that fits my PB 17" adapter or my G3 Pismo's Hockey puck shaped Adaptor. And has 2 dividers for papers or documents or wires (such as firewire cables that I always carry cause I work in the Film Profession and use this thing to present Final Cut Pro 4 on....) For those with more things like cables and cds, a book to read, or a bunch of pheripherals such as mouse, tablet, or other doohickeys try looking at the DELUX version of this case as it is more spacious inside. But adds to the weight of the case.

For those of you less of a James Bond character (HEHE) sometimes the occasion just calls for a regular bag for carrying this Rolls Royce of a notebook. When traveling in the city and you don't want to risk being robbed (depends where you live too I guess) I use my old trusty Kensington (with Apple Logo) Saddle Bag, and modified it with a bit of foam padding at the bottom...the same type of padding you find in TV boxes but just a bit more plush. The saddle bag wasn't rated for the PB 17's size, but to me its just perfect! Plus it can be easily converted to a backpack. And the shoulder strap hooks on the side are amazing, big and strong...Makes putting an Air Cushioned Lowel Shoulder Strap easy and quick....

Then there is my Boblebee Mega Bag...this thing I had for my old G3 Pismo..Unfortunately, it was a bag with flaws due to size restrictions on the notebook. But good for PB owners of the 12" category....however the design might not strike you as beautiful. Some have a disliking to it...others think its a cool and innovative bag (Charlie's Angel scene where the girls come out of the water and strip naked changing from a wet suit in Charlie Angel's Part 1 movie near the end) I got it because I like the design and comfort plus it is waterproof, with lumbar support and has a hardshell. Still use it for Powerbook G3 Pismo when trekking in rough weather terrain or on film shoots.

As a final option, Kata is also in my top 4 bags for my Powerbook Pismo and Hammerhead G4 pb 17". It holds the powerbook snug and tight, weather proof, and also holds my Highly modified VX2000E Pal DV camera. I had to get the bigger bag for the cam and laptop cause the cam itself was heavily modified with Matte box, french flag, 12" cinema style rails and anamorphic lens. With the other stuff like batteries, xlr inputs for the DX4 and cables, it still has room to spare because the bag was originally made for betacam SP cameras. Now if you need to carry a cam with a powerbook, this has got to be a great option. And the bag is carry-on safe for planes too! Portabrace also makes a few nice ones, news reporter style.

To me, I think, its a rare notebook....get a rare bag to go with it (except for the saddle bag from Kensington for those city dwellers)....hehe

It all comes down to how you like to carry your bag in different occasions, in the subway, in the jungle (for whatever reasons you may have including photo journalists, film makers or reporters with notebook and video cam, or just for a presentation in a high profile office somewhere in town.) But for me, safety for the notebook comes first followed by comfort, durability cost and finally style. Hope this helps!

-Lertsiri Boonmee
video of my work and links to my homepage!

[GreenwoodMO]

I second the Zero Halliburton Z5 this is an awesome case. It fits the PB 17" perfectly. You bought the best notebook why not have the best case.

[dcarmich]

I got an ATA rated briefcase for mine from R&R Cases in Des Plaines, Illinois. Talk to Jim Price,
he's the guy that sold me mine. (They can make cases for anything. They've made cases for most of the top touring acts on the road. (As well as sports teams and others..)

Be sure and get the 3/8" construction, it's _much_ better than the 1/4" construction.

Hope this helps.

--Douglas

(PS. Tell him Douglas sent ya.

[tonewheel]

I purchased a Z5 on ebay some months ago for my PB17. Haven't used it yet.

I would like to hear from those of you who use this case for your PB17. My concern is that big honking strap that's used to secure the computer inside of the case. I have concerns about that thing scratching or marring the computer case. And what about the puches? Don't those rub on the computer lid?

For now, I use my Brenthaven sleeve and case, which provides incredible protection for this baby.

[angelmb]

The Hedgren stuff looks very nice. Would be nive if you can post a lonk to those which are "PowerBook 17" friendly". Thanks.

[striker100]

Spymac is now selling Powerbook cases.
Here's the link to the 17" case:
http://www.spymac.com/shop/index.php...mp;articleid=3

[MickS]

I have a Crumpler Crisp Suit for my 17" PB in the UK.

I did have a nice Alu case for my TiBook but it was heavy and could fit precious little in other than the TiBook and power supply etc. The Crisp Suit means I can carry the laptop, power supply, mouse, DVDs, CDs, Keyspan serial adapter, a whole host of cables, iPod charger in the outside pocket, etc. etc. So I'd recommend the Crisp Suit.

On the other hand if I was flying a lot I'd look at a solid case again.