Living the cloud life is only part of the equation; traveling light and easily being able to move your workspace from your home to class, a coffee shop, a coworking space or office are just as important. That’s why I use a MacBook Air and that’s why I’ve gotten my hands on some fine examples of small computer bags for light computing.
Meet the Contestants
Left to Right: WaterField SleeveCase (with flap, piggyback and strap), Tom Bihn Horizontal Brain Cell (with TerraGrip strap), WaterField HardCase, Tom Bihn Ristretto.
The idea for this post sprouted from Tom Bihn. They approached me about reviewing one of their bags to which I replied “what do you have that fits the Air?” From there I browsed around and looked for similar “light” bags to add to this review. The only one that I could not get my hands on in time was the 13-inch “Coder” by Timbuk2.
I did not include my bag of choice for the last year, a 15-inch Timbuk2 messenger bag, as it is too large to include in any sort of light computing bag review.
Tom Bihn Horizontal Brain Cell
At $60 (not including shoulder strap), the Brain Cell is a no-frills, gets-the-job-done laptop tote. It provides a good amount of laptop protection at the expense of leaving room for little else. There is a front pouch which potentially could be used for the charger and occasional day planner, but nothing else. Then again, that’s the whole point of computing light.. you don’t need much else! If you could really use an extra pouch or two, Tom Bihn sells those as attachable add-ons (pictured above).
My only real criticism is that the Brain Cell’s handles are wimpy compared to the structure of the rest of the bag, which makes it a bit awkward to use as a briefcase. I’m used to the solid handle found on Timbuk2 bags.
The top of the Brain Cell closes with two overlapping, velcro-equipped flaps. I found myself struggling with this a bit by first having to push down the lower flap and pull across the top flap to get an adequate close that wouldn’t come apart.
Verdict: Something about the boxy, geometric styling doesn’t do it for me.
Tom Bihn Ristretto
The Ristretto is a vertical messenger bag priced at $90 with a bit more room to spare. It has considerably less padding than the Brain Cell or any of the other bags in this review but definitely enough to keep your laptop safe from coffee-table falls.
As you can see the Ristretto maintains a small profile while affording the storage space for an extra notepad, book and miscellaneous items. It’s like a 2+2 sports car – there’s extra space in the back, but not enough to get carried away with.
I was never a fan of vertical messenger bags but I found myself taking this one to class more than any of the other bags. I attribute this to the smaller ground footprint. It doesn’t take up much floor space in cramped auditoriums and people won’t trip over it when squeezing by you to get to their seat (College of Architecture Auditorium 123 I’m looking at you!).
While I generally only need my MacBook Air, I tend to pack a notepad and pen for classes just in case. For having the room to accomodate this, the Ristretto gets bonus Stammy points.
Verdict: While not exactly the epitome of light computing, the Ristretto is solid, versatile performer.
WaterField Hardcase
If the last two bags were the Toyota Camry and Infiniti G37 (respectively) in the crowd, the WaterField HardCase would most likely be a Bentley Brooklands. Made with genuine leather and starting at $229 for the MacBook Air sized version, the HardCase is built for the businessman. Like the Bentley, the HardCase has a plush interior with loads of padding.
You will never have to worry about your laptop’s safety again. You could even trust your laptop with, dare I say, airport baggage handlers in this bag. I had originally considered this extra bulk to be a downside, but I don’t think extra padding is ever a bad thing.
Unfortunately the amenities stop there. There is no room for much more than a few pens and a pack of gum. It’s a tight fit for everything else, including the laptop charger.
Verdict: I’ll take one in white to match my Gulfstream. Realistically though, I took this bag a few times with me to tech events and meetups but that was about it. It is still a big bag but pretty much only holds the laptop. There must be a way to engineer a small pocket to hold a legal pad. Save your money and entertain some young ladies with bottle service at your local upscale bar.
WaterField SleeveCase Ensemble
Last in this review shootout, I have the WaterField SleeveCase with all the fixings: a flap, shoulder strap and piggyback pouch. As the name implies, the SleeveCase is literally just a protective sleeve for your laptop. With the added piggyback pouch, it easily takes on the challenge of toting along your laptop charger as well.
The SleeveCase is the smallest bag of the bunch and was my bag of choice when going to Skribit meetings and development sessions where all I needed was my laptop and charger, and didn’t want to tote along a big bag.
With neoprene protective padding and a ballistic nylon exterior, the SleeveCase felt rugged enough to take care of my laptop while not adding too much bulk. That being said, the SleeveCase won’t entirely protect your laptop from any substantial staircase falls or the like.
Verdict: The SleeveCase Ensemble is my favorite of the bunch, although the Tom Bihn Ristretto isn’t far with its added versatility.
Your Thoughts
What do you look for in a laptop bag? Are you ready for a minimalist bag yet?
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Although built for bigger computers, Patagonia makes a killer laptop backpack (Lightwire) that is very light in weight at around $80.
After years of shoulderstraps throwing off my back, I love the backpack feel.
I’ve been using my Incase Canvas Vertical Sling for about a year now and still love it. It’s not too big, but I can throw my Macbook in the lined pouch and still fit a charger and a textbook or two (within reason) in there if I need to.
I’m constantly moving around with my Macbook (to and from work, classes, coffee shops, etc.), so being able to toss my stuff in there and walk out the door is a major must.
This post has got me thinking as to whether I have to get a laptop bag. As of now I take my macbook in a Neoprene Incase Sleeve and just carry it around in my bag.
I should get a proper bag asap, my macbook is too precious !
I’ve been thinking about a nice (minimalist) bag I’ve learned my backpack that dates back to middle school does the job.
…but then it doesn’t cut it anymore, I’ll come back to this post. Nice reviews.
I’ve been using the WaterField SleeveCase for my 15″ MBP and have nothing but raves for it. Rather carrying the charger, I carry a second battery…oops Apple forgot to put a removable battery in the AIR : ]
And here I am, sporting a Trogdor messenger bag that was a gift and an Applesac sleeve for my macbook. Works great for me, and there’s some extra room for charger, umbrella, rubik’s cube, a notebook and some folders. I bet I could fit a small textbook in there too if I really wanted.
Works great for me, and didn’t cost me too much at all.
I guess my last comment didn’t go through, so here’s trying again.
I’ve been using the Incase Canvas Vertical Sling for about a year now and still love it. It’s fairly small yet still has enough room to fit my Macbook, a charger, and a textbook or two within reason.
I’m constantly moving around to and from work, classes, coffee shops, etc., so being able to throw my stuff in there and walk out the door is a major must.
Paul, neat overview of light computing bags. I’ve transitioned from a 12″ Powerbook, to a 15″ MBP, to a high-def 17″ MBP. However, I will never forget how mobile I used to be. For something small, mobile, roomy, yet stylish, I urge you to search on eBay for this vintage “incase moya deluxe gearbag” which I used to carry my 12″ Powerbook. I’ve gotten compliments about it from guys:
I carry a crumpler bag with me when I need to have my macbook or any extras. It looks small, but I have manage to carry the mac, a charger, a notebook, a pocket-size book, pens and even a toothbrush !
add to all that the lifetime warranty provided by crumpler, just enough padding and water/scratch proof exterior. Doesn’t even look like a laptop bag.
I use Guess Premium bag, a leather one. its very stylish and fit the macbook air and accessories well.
I use a be.ez LArobe sleeve for my iBook and a backpack.
I can recommend the stm evolution backpack. Decent look, nice laptopsleeve (13 or 15-inch), good processed and lots of extra space.
nice reviews… i’ve been searching for a lighter/smaller laptop bag with no luck… im going to check these out and some of the others suggested in the comments.
I just orderd a Voltaic Converter bag (http://www.voltaicsystems.com/bag_converter.shtml). It has solar panels built in that allow it to charge any gadget that draws less than 10W while charging (cell phones, PDA’s, iPods, GPS, maybe even a netbook). It also has a built in battery, so it charges passivley all day while you walk around.(I find the idea of real-time solar charging to be pretty inconvenient…isn’t the point of a spare charger to make charging more convenient?). You can also plug the pack in a charge the battery that way, providing a backup battery (which I desperately need for my new iPhone 3G, it suck power like crazy).
It arrived today. I’ll be posting a review shortly on my blog at http://www.stephenfroom.com.
I was carrying my MacBook Pro around in a Tumi laptop backpack… a bit overkill for the type of work I do and the locations I end up at.
I recently switched to a Case Logic Slimline bag like this one: http://tinyurl.com/5ee256.
It has room for a portable 2.5″ HD, my power brick, my mouse, and one or two other small gizmos, like my iPod Nano (1st gen) and Nike+.
I did some research on slim bags for the Air as well, and chose Booqbag’s Boa Slimcase S90:
http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.291/.f?sc=13&category=-113
I love this bag, and don’t think I would choose any of your reviewed bags over it. I like it because it looks cool, it is small and slim, it’s got good padding for the MBA, it has pockets and pouches so you can take a good amount of stuff with you despite its small size.
I especially like the two exterior pockets. My Timbuk2 bag didn’t have this, so everytime I needed something I had to open up the bag and hear the annoying velcro tearing sound.
I keep a magazine and some papers in the back pocket and my phone and Gatech Buzzcard in the front for easy access.
That was always a huge annoyance for me. I put duct tape over them on my old crumpler bag.
For my MacBook Air I use a laptop case from Waterfield (http://www.sfbags.com/products/sleevecases/sleevecases.htm)
I bought the version with a fold-over flap. The case is made in San Francisco and is of the highest quality. I put my MBA in the case then put it in my backpack. I spent May in Europe with this case and MBA packed in my backpack. I walked around villages, and when I found internet access, I uploaded my travel commentary to my website blog. The case is very protective of the MBA. If I were not to use a separate backpack, I would have got a version with straps. But, for me,a separate backpack works well.
I’m pleased to see these cases are still manufactured in the U.S.A……Jim
I’m not yet ready for a minimalist bag :) I absolutely love my Brenthaven 15/17 backpack (http://www.brenthaven.com/catalog-apple-pro-15-17.html), which can haul everything and then some. Even fully loaded, the bag is very manageable, and has thoughful pocket layout so as not to overlap items too much. In addition, the material has proven quite strong so far, with nary a tear or scratch on it. I was initially skeptical about it’s $180 price tag, but I couldn’t be happer with my choice.
I carry my MBP in a Gravis backpack. They’re really comfortable =)
nice review and i was going for a laptop bag :)
Another happy Waterfield Designs customer here. Have their Cargo bag. It’s been around the world and back. Still looks new and still gets compliments.
Just to throw some Aussie Merchandise in here also, have you ever looked at the bags made by http://www.crumpler.com.au/ I’ve had a couple, and found them very hardy. definitely worth looking at.
Ok, the Tom Bihn Horizontal Brain Cell, seems a little formal for my taste but if you are an executive, well i think its a good choice, now I like more the Tom Bihn Ristretto, but too bad it is a vertical bag,… I prefer horizontal messenger laptop bags.
WaterField Hardcase and WaterField SleeveCase Ensemble both have foam inside so your laptop would be very secure from falling.
Me particularly dont have a laptop, but I use casual messenger bags.
I spent a year looking for the perfect bag for my MBP. I finally settled on the Higher Ground Laptrap. (http://www.highergroundgear.com/laptrap.html) It is a small vertical shoulder or backpack bag.
You can leave your laptop in the bag and work with the bag across your lap or desk. (The laptop compartment has rubber risers for air circulation under the laptop.) It allows me to carry a power supply, 2.5 external drive, and point and shoot camera while remaining a small bag.
I have used the bag everyday for a year and have broken a couple of the zipper pulls. Also, the extra cd/dvd storage inside is useless to me because I rarely use either medium. I think I would prefer a generic pocket to hold meeting handouts or a notebook. Otherwise, I am very pleased with the case.