[vandelay]

To Timbuk2 Commute XL and Booq Boa XL owners: Is it possible to fit a 17" in a sleeve in either of these bags? I have a Crumpler Crisp Suit, where the padded notebook compartment is just big enough for the "naked" 17", but not with the Tucano Second Skin on.

[Saramin]

Can anyone with a Timbuk2 PeeWee messenger bag attest to the feasability of carrying a 15' PB in one of those? The dimensions look right, but there may be padding and such I'm not aware of.

[7racer]

Well,

I just recieved my Waterfield Design Large cargo with sleeve case.

Like posted above it is an excellent case. I think the thing I like the most is the sleeve case with flap cover and D rings for the strap. The strap that comes with it when you order the D ring option is NICE and super comfy. The padded portion is neoprene and cushions your shoulder when you are walking around. It kinda feels like a shock absorber.

The only problem with the Large Cargo and a 17"PB with the sleeve case is that it WON't fit in that nice little pocket in the back that it was designed to do. Only a "naked" 17" PB will fit back there, otherwise you have to place the PB in the sleeve in the main compartment. That's too bad as I was hoping that the pocket would help hold the notebook against the back as advertised.

All in all pretty minor complaint...but a nice bag none the less.

In regards to the color I chose the lead though I am having second thoughts on the peppercorn.

Finally, in comparision to my Axio Hardpack....I like the hardpack more after seeing and briefly using this case. It just has alittle more function for what I have, though not nearly the amount of usuable space. The only drawback of the Axio is that the notebook doesn't sit flush in the back pack.

[ManxStef]

Just got a Crumpler School Hymn 15" (Large):
http://www.crumpler.co.uk/docs/laptops/schoolhymn.pdf

Got blue as they basically didn't have anything else (wanted silver to match the Powerbook ) unless I was willing to wait 2 months for the backorder!

Fits the 15" Powerbook snugly, has good zip protection, a nice smooth fuzz-free inside and a mildly sturdy semi-rigid plastic casing. The outer finish kinda reminds me of a kid's pencil case - that matt plastic stitched flexible stuff. It's pretty thick and durable feeling but I thought from the PDF that it'd be like fabric-covered neoprene (i.e. wetsuit material); no such luck unfortunately. Internal padding, besides the plastic covering, is fairly minimal on the flats to non-existant on the corners, so I wouldn't recommend dropping it (like you're going to drop your baby anyway!), but the semi-rigid plastic casing seems to absorb and spread impact pretty well - testing with a knuckle and a flat palm on the other side indicates that it'll soak up a good bit of punishment.

Overall it feels pretty sturdy and will protect your laptop well when put in a backpack with a load of other stuff, esp. if the stuff has got pointy corners

Downsides? No carry handle so it'll have to be tucked under your arm or something - it'd probably benefit from a webbing strap stitched to its spine, but you'll have to wait for Crumpler to do a mark 2. It wasn't cheap for what it is: I paid GBP£40 for it from Amazon.co.uk and an extra fiver for postage; I reckon it's worth closer to £25-30. But it'll do the job so I'm happy enough.

[shadowofleaves]

i have the pee wee messenger bag for my 15"
it fits nice, since all i do is carry my laptop and maybe a book it works out perfectly.

[meatyocre]

For my PB G4 12" I have used a targus slip case, which fits into any larger pack. Since both packs have padding I have had great results. Slip case was around $20...pretty cost effective solution.

[fizeit]

I've read the zillion postings on what kind of sleeve to get for a powerbook G4 12, and I've checked out Booq, Spire, MacCase, Crumpler school hymn, Tom Binh, Timbuk2, Waterfield, and you name it. But none of the websites give the WEIGHTS of their sleeves and none of the discussants seem to even mention relative weight as a factor. what's the point of having a lightweight powerbook 12, if you have to add on a lot of extra weight to protect it?

Any advice here?
And why have I found only one or two mentions of MacCase sleeve (and now its backpack combo). It looked very good to me -- barring the weight (which I don't know)

[nick_coday]

Originally posted by fizeit:
I've read the zillion postings on what kind of sleeve to get for a powerbook G4 12, and I've checked out Booq, Spire, MacCase, Crumpler school hymn, Tom Binh, Timbuk2, Waterfield, and you name it. But none of the websites give the WEIGHTS of their sleeves and none of the discussants seem to even mention relative weight as a factor. what's the point of having a lightweight powerbook 12, if you have to add on a lot of extra weight to protect it?

Any advice here?
And why have I found only one or two mentions of MacCase sleeve (and now its backpack combo). It looked very good to me -- barring the weight (which I don't know)

I don't exactly have a scale here, but the Timbuk2 is what I would call around 1-1.2 pounds.

I don't think ahouls be a major issue if you want to protect you laptop. Padding and shock absorption most definitelty comes at a cost to weight. The more protection and peace of mind, the heavier it will be undoubtedly.

[nesuser2]

I just received my booq case(12") for my ibook and it fits ultra snug and has reasonable padding for a sleeve. As well, the case holds uniform, which is to my liking. If you pull the iBook out, it still holds shape which means that it is somewhat sturdy. If it wasn't sturdy, it would be like gel coating that moved on impact. If there isn't any support in the case, I wouldn't recommend it(Cough Roadwired? Cough) As well, the booq case I ordered was kind of a gray/white color and it is very stylish as far as I'm concerned. It kind of screams Apple as you walk around with it!

[iKwak]

Whoa...some bag costs over $100 bucks.

[Cheesebury]

Finally got a Techair Libera grafite over the weekend and it's an incredible improvement over what i had before.

I cycle a few miles to work everyday so this thing should make all the difference. The shoulder straps are wonderfully comfortable and the air compartment looks very solid, there's room for my 15" powerbook, my clie, my phone and anything else i can think of. I haven't quite worked out the best place to put the powercord yet but there's definitly plenty of choices. Very happy. PC World for £49.99.

[Beerman]

I have a Cozmo suite spot for my old Gateway Solo (soon to be upgrading to a Cargo suite spot) - hands down the best bag I have ever owned - a bit expensive, but considering the quality as well as the personal service, worth every penny and then some.

[raferx]

I am picking this bag up on Saturday:

http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=19

For my Ti 550...

I got it because my current work bag:

http://www.webaperture.com/articles/lib/rev/st0009

Has a laptop insert that is .5" too small! The booq will fit inside in it's place with a little velcro sewn on the sides.

The best substitute I could find!

werd.

[chrisx]

A question for those with Aluminum PowerBooks:

What's the worst drop/accident that ever occured with your bag/case? What type of bag/case did you have, and what happened to the laptop?

I've been reading about how the Aluminum PowerBooks dent easily and would like to get a secure bag/case that can withstand a small drop and leave the laptop undamaged.

I've been looking at the Booq stuff, is 0.75" of padding enough? They seem to be the only ones who even post how much padding they offer, so I can't really compare with others.

[teknopimp]

Originally posted by raferx:
I am picking this bag up on Saturday:

http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=19

For my Ti 550...

did it fit? i mail ordered mine and ended up returning it cause it did not fit my Ti 800. i found it to be 1" too thick, 2" too tall and 3" too wide.

[baglunch]

Originally posted by chrisx:
A question for those with Aluminum PowerBooks:

What's the worst drop/accident that ever occured with your bag/case? What type of bag/case did you have, and what happened to the laptop?

I've been reading about how the Aluminum PowerBooks dent easily and would like to get a secure bag/case that can withstand a small drop and leave the laptop undamaged.

I've been looking at the Booq stuff, is 0.75" of padding enough? They seem to be the only ones who even post how much padding they offer, so I can't really compare with others.

well i have a tom bihn monolith for my 17" powerbook, the worst drops all occured while it was in my backpack (regular one); once flat off of a chair onto it's face, once off a chair upside down *gasp*, and twice off the desk at work landing on it's butt (the bottom has the most protection). Thankfully no damage has been inflicted what so ever *knocks on wood*. The time where it fell upside down was the scariest because there's no padding on the zipper side of the monolith.

[angelmb]

There is an issue about bags and PowerBooks, I need one that avoid looks like 'PowerBook inside', so I had thought to buy one of those colorful Crips Suit or Very Busy Man, but you can find imitations of them on computer stores. So, the search starts again. phew...

[chrisx]

Originally posted by baglunch:
well i have a tom bihn monolith for my 17" powerbook, the worst drops all occured while it was in my backpack (regular one); once flat off of a chair onto it's face, once off a chair upside down *gasp*, and twice off the desk at work landing on it's butt (the bottom has the most protection). Thankfully no damage has been inflicted what so ever *knocks on wood*. The time where it fell upside down was the scariest because there's no padding on the zipper side of the monolith.

Thanks a lot for the info. Anyone else have some stories? Or know of a place that reviews actual falls/drops? I've been doing a lot of reading about different bags/cases, but it's rare to see any actual results about how well it protects (especially an Aluminum PowerBook, since I've been reading a lot of stories about how it dents easily).

[kastegir]

I'm upgrading from an iBook to a 1gHz TiBook and was wondering if anyone has used the MacCase Binder with their TiBook?

I previously used a WF Sleevecase with an older TiBook and it was very nice, but am considering something different this time around. Other options I am considering are the Schoolhymn by Crumpler and possibly the WF Sleevecase again.

Any advice/comparisons are welcome.

I'll be just using this as a sleeve and it'll ride in my Port laptop case.

TIA.

[plasticmoz]

I just received a BOOQ Powersleeve 12" for my new Rev C and I love it. Much better build quality and functionality than the MARWARE Shark sleeve I was using. Very happy, and probably the last case I buy for this laptop. Highly recommended.

[fanchee]

Just got a waterfield sleeve for my 12" and it's great. Also ordered the Crumpler Wee Bee and that should be here early next week. Can't wait to get that bag!!!!