Messenger Bags

[la bicicleta]

I am thinking of buying a medium Timbuk2 laptop messenger bag for days I want to take my laptop to Starbucks or pick-up a few items at the grocery store.

I'm shopping for a new laptop. I'm still debating on what size to get. 15.4" widescreens are nice. Ultraportable 12.1" are nice too.

[Tuckervill]

I love my tiny little Dell Inspiron 700m. Everyone thinks it's tiny but I think bigger ones are HUGE.

I am thinking about getting another one, though. I've had this one for a long time. Dell has some colorful computers now and I would love a Razorback Red one.

Karen

[three]

I have a medium Timbuk . It's been ok for school - I can stuff multiple books, notebooks, my u-lock, and still have a bit of space...depending on how many textbooks are in there.

Having said that: I purchased a 15.4" Dell Inspiron AFTER I bought the bag...and it doesn't fit in it so well. It fits fine as long as it's not in a protective sleeve. So, I'd go with the smaller laptop if you have your heart set on the Timbuk. Also, I have more than once spilled water/beverage in the Timbuk and have not been happy with how it's supposed water repellant interior handled the situation.

I haven't been the happiest camper in the world with my Timbuk - which was a gift - and have since spent a ton (really, A LOT) of time researching bags. I stumbled on Tom Bihn bags and have yet to find a single negative review. And, it seems most everyone who has them becomes a loyal Tom Bihn customer - and the company seems like a pretty dang good thing and someplace I'd want my money supporting. Made in Seattle and a tad more pricy than the bags you're looking at. I bought a 'brain' (protective sleeve) for my laptop and have been very happy with it. I'm saving up for the Tom Bihn messenger bag that the sleeve will fit into and look forward to retiring my Timbuk. The Bihn bags allow for the 'brain' to attach to the messenger bag - thus protecting your computer even more because it's not moving around. Also, the computer area is separate from the rest so any spillage will be kept away - and, there are water bottle holders on the side...and so many other cool qualities that I'll just put the link here and shut up.

http://www.tombihn.com/

[Tuckervill]

Laptop sleeves were hard to come by around here when I first bought my laptop. The ones I found all made the laptop take up more space in my backpack. So, I made one out of quilted fabric (all psychedelic with bright daisies all over it). I've really enjoyed it.

Karen

[la bicicleta]

Tuckerville, what a coincidence - the laptop, I'm replacing is the Dell 700m. It's a fine little laptop. Of course, specs are outdated. Sadly, I no longer have 20/20 vision! I feel like I could stay with another 12.1". The new Dell 1525 which about to debut is a slim 5.5lbs 15'4". I'd love to get the flamingo pink color. Only the lid is pink. The interior is silver.

[Tuckervill]

I recently did upgrade my memory, so it moves really fast now. I have trouble seeing the words on the screen, but I hit CTRL and the plus sign and it makes them bigger for me.

Karen

[VeloVT]

Snapdragon,
I assume you've actually tried riding with a messenger bag? If not, you might try to borrow one, load it up, get on the bike and see if you like it.

I mention this because I have a custom Timbuk2 messenger that I ordered for commuting to work & school (I got the large, which is enormous & could hold a weekend's worth of clothes/toiletries -- I'd recommend no larger than the medium if you get one), and I discovered that I really don't like the way it balances weight on the bike. Even worn across the body with the strap nice and tight, it still feels unbalanced and wants to pull you in one direction. Plus the back isn't padded, and I found that I'd get bruises on the last couple of vertebrae from heavy things that migrate to the bottom (laptop, books), both riding and walking. I'm much happier riding with a well-constructed backpack, with padded back, waist belt & sternum strap. The weight is better balanced and more stable, for me at least. (And if your waterbottles don't provide enough hydration, you can get hydration-compatible packs with quite a bit of cargo room).

Hope this isn't raining on the parade. Everyone is different, and definitely some people seem to prefer messengers. (I definitely think they look cooler).