BBP Hamptons Hybrid Messenger/Backpack Laptop Bag Obsidian Black XL

I ordered this bag for my 17" Dell Precision M90. It is a tight fit in the bag, but it does fit. The computer compartment is accessible without opening the main flap, making it very easy to get to the notebook quickly. The nearly velcro-free design is nice, because it's quiet to open and close and doesn't get stuck on things. The storage compartment has an orange lining, making it easier to see what's in the bag.

The main selling point of the BBP bags is the Bak2Pak carrying system, and it's definitely worthwhile. The conversion process only takes a few tries to learn, and from then on it's easy to convert between backpack and messenger carry styles. I'd seen complaints that strap was too long in the messenger style, but I haven't found that to be the case if you clip both d-rings into the strap clips. In backpack mode, I've found that the straps slip a little, so I have to re-adjust them. It's easy to do this while wearing the bag, so it's not a big deal. The backpack mode distributes the weight very well, making it easier to carry over long distances.

I struggled with how to review this bag. On the one hand, I've loved both the size and comfort of it. I'm a college professor that walks/bikes to campus every day, and I needed something that I could use to transport a pretty hefty volume of grading to/from work.

For the first week, everything was great. Then, as I was walking up a flight of steps, the clip that connects the shoulder strap to the back sheared clean off. My case (laptop inside) went tumbling down a flight of stairs. I contacted the company and they were very nice about it and offered to repair/replace the bag. Unfortunately, they needed me to mail it back, and I can't afford to be without a case during the last few weeks of the semester. So, I jury-rigged a temporary fix and haven't sent it in yet.

A couple weeks later, I was crossing a multi-lane highway with my 5-year-old son when the other clip snapped right off, causing the bag to plop right in the middle of the road (again, with my laptop inside). I shudder to think what would have happened if I was riding my bike.

In both instances, the bag was not heavily loaded. I had my laptop, the power cable, some dry erase markers, and a hard cover textbook. Not exactly a monstrous load.

I think there is a serious design flaw with these bags, and I'm not the only one who has noticed. I was talking with a manager at the local Apple store and he mentioned that he's seen a number of people with the same problems that I've had.

Overall, I would not recommend this bag, especially with the price you pay. If you do buy it, go to Lowes and pick up some chain connectors to use when the clips snap off.

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Prior to ordering this bag I was using a Marware Sportfolio Deluxe 17" MacBook Pro Case Black and while I really like the quality, size, etc. of the case it was killing my back/shoulder/neck. Once I loaded it with everything I needed it was pulling me out of alignment when I carried it further than down the hall.

So I started looking for a bag that I wanted to meet two criteria. First, I wanted it to be more comfortable and not pull me out of alignment. Second, it needs to fit under the seat of my Yamaha Majesty scooter. The Marware bag fits under the seat with room to spare but the BumBakPak was larger, especially since I needed either the L or XL model in order to fit my 17" laptop. I ended up trying the XL model because the L was out of stock at the time so I figured I would give it a shot.

I am pleased to say several things. First, the bag is incredibly well made and has plenty of room for whatever you need to carry. Second, it is very comfortable and feels completely natural when walking. It does not weigh you down or pull your body in any unnatural directions while you are carrying it. Finally, the XL bag fit under the seat of my Majesty like a glove. When I place it under the seat it looks as though it were made with the intention of fitting under this seat. I know that this part of the review will not matter to most people but if anyone else has a Majesty they will appreciate this information :-)

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I'm reserving the right to revise this review later.

After reading some reviews of this bag I decided that it would be perfect for me and my newest laptop, a lightweight with a 15.6" screen. I vacillated a bit as to what size, and settled on the XL figuring I could use the extra room if I needed it...little did I know.

when it arrived and i pulled it out of the box, the first thing i notice was that THIS THING IS HUGE! you could fit a small child in it, with room for lunch. AND wine (none for the kid, he's gotta cop his own). my inner macgyver was impressed by the number of pockets and storage crevices all over the bag (although he'd never buy a bag, he'd make it out of leaves and duct tape, but i digress), not to mention the cool backpack to shoulder strap transformation thingie and the fact that every type of fastener known to man is used somewhere on this bag. you could strip it down and climb a mountain, and you don't need a goat to help you carry anything.

the 'problem' i have with this item is that, while can do so many things so well, it left out one very important thing: protection for a laptop. even my behemoth XPS with its 17" screen swims around in this thing. with the 50' of velcro and nylon straps used in this thing, why couldn't they use another foot or two to secure a laptop? i've been putting mine in the large pocket on the outside, which is hardly safe or secure, but at least it's snug and won't move around. should i have bought a smaller size? that wouldn't solve the issue because then the laptop would fit snugly into a bag with padding only for my @ss (which at my age is padded enough) and none for the investment i'm lugging around.

all in all, it's a very nice and seemingly well-made bag that looks nice and is comfortable to wear. but calling it a laptop bag is a bit of a stretch; it's basically a messenger bag/backpack that will fit a laptop along with a six pack of beer and a couple of buckets of chicken (yes, i am a bit hungry as i write this). while i won't return it, i'm still in the market for a laptop backpack.

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Toting around a MacBook Pro 17" , with and extra battery to boot, can really wear down your shoulders. The BBP is, what I consider, to be the most capable way to carry a laptop out there. The backpack setup is very comfortable and takes the strain out of places that get sore quickly, like your shoulders. I don't think it looks that bad either The key point is that it works well and takes an innovative approach to an old problem.

The pockets are abundant, although the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I would like to see some larger, more accessible pockets from the outside. The only other item to note is that the magnetic snap on one of the outside pockets is not particularly strong (you don't want strong magnets around computers anyway), so I would not put anything moderately heavy in there, such as a cell phone.

That said, the waterproof zipper on the outside for the laptop makes it a breeze to bring through airport security without having to unpack everything. The orange on the inside makes it really easy to see everything in the pockets. It will hold lots of stuff, in addition to your laptop and the materials it is made from doesn't add much to the overall weight, like a leather bag does. I recommend the L or XL for the MacBook Pro 17", I have the XL and it's more than roomy adn well worth the money.

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