Belkin 15.4-Inch Messenger Bag (Jet/Cabernet)

This is a great bag if all you need to carry is your laptop and few other small items. I am using it for a 15.4" MacBook Pro, a second generation iPod Nano, WD Passport HD, a few cables, USB thumb drive. Also, a few pieces of paper. I'd never be able to add a text book or anything like that. It's exactly what I was looking for. It's small, light and the strap that goes over your shoulder is very wide. I haven't had to carry this for a long period of time yet, but I am sure it will be nice. I used to have a laptop bag with a smaller strap and after a couple hours of travel (airport etc) my should would hurt. With this bag I don't think that'll be a problem.

UPDATE (Jan 18th, 2010) I have had this bag for a few years now. I can report that carrying this bag for long periods of time does not cause pain in my shoulder, even loaded up and heavy. The strap is wide enough that the pressure is low.

I feel it's well built, feels solid. There are a few different pockets, but they are all a little small, so I'm not sure what use they are. The area the laptop rests is lined with a very soft velvet like material. I wish the MP3 player slot was the same, but it's not, it's the same material as the rest of the bag. Also, the main zipper only unzips halfway, so that if you are wearing the bag and you unzip it, the laptop will not fall out. This is a great feature when you are at the airport and you need to remove it etc. It keeps your bag from flapping open and spilling your stuff everywhere. There is a quick access pocket in the back that is perfect for storing paperwork, tickets, confirmation info for your rental car etc. Finally, a nice handle on top, if you want to carry it without using the strap. The strap is not removable...for me, I like that, but for some that may be bothersome.

Pros:

Small, Lightweight

Fits my MacBook Pro 15.4" Perfectly

Good Build Quality Excellent Quality even after a few years of use.

Wide Strap to keep from hurting your shoulder. Verified after years of use.

Nice lined laptop area

Does not unzip 100%, so that your stuff does not fall out.

Cons:

MP3 player pocket not lined like the laptop pocket.

(For some) non-removable strap.

Strap gets in way of back pocket sometimes.

Front pocket not really usable.

I purchased the Belkin 15" Messenger Bag because I thought it looked nice and because I prefer messenger style bags in general over briefcase or backpack designs. I find the Belkin bag to be a really good value, but I do have some nitpicks.

First, I have a Dell 15.4" laptop with a 9-cell battery. The 9-cell protrudes out from the back of the laptop and adds about an inch to the depth. It does fit in the Belkin case okay. However, because the padded compartment for the laptop rests slightly under the main zipper, I'm paranoid that the zipper teeth will scratch the laptop. I live with it by putting the bottom of the laptop towards the back of the case. I'm able to throw my AC adapter in along with it and it's somewhat of a snug fit.

Inside, there are 2 pen pockets, 2 card pockets, and 2 larger general pockets. There is also one smaller zippered pocket that runs along the top of the case, which looks large enough to put cables in. Oddly, the outside has one large zippered pocket that does not go through the inside of the case at all. The headphone passthrough can only be accessed from the zippered OUTSIDE pocket. This means you can only put your audio player in the outside pocket, which offers less protection for your god-knows-how-expensive music player.

Though the zippers work well and have a nice plastic colored pulls that matches the case, I wish the material was less slippery. A rubber coated one may have made zipping and unzipping a bit easier. Also, I wish that the strap were attached to 360 degree moving hinges and that it were removable.

All in all, it's a decent bag for the money. It's no Tumi bag, but of course the Belkin costs hundreds less.

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This bag is the most comfortable that I've had. It fits my 15" HP laptop along with the cord and adaptor, over-ear headphones, portable Seagate external hard drive and case, and kensington laptop cord-lock. I especially like the velvet lined laptop compartment; there is no chance of the surface getting scratched. There is even a zippered compartment in the back to store the shoulder strap when you want to use the handles instead. Additionally, there is a slot in the front in which to access your headphones without removing your mp3 or ipod from the case. An important note: this bag isn't the dark expresso brown as shown in the picture. It's more of a chocolate brown, and the blue is a bit more grey as well.

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I love the look of this bag and it fits my Macbook Pro perfectly. The power cord pouch is extremely helpful, and I love the fact that there is a handle on top of the bag so I can carry around as a briefcase. The only problem I have with the bag is that the shoulder strap is too short for me with it extended all the way. I am 5"7 and I am a little busty and I have found that the strap is very short I tend to like my messenger bags to sit just below by hip. This bag sits at my waist just above my hip and feels a little confining. I had my mother try it on and she is 5"4 and overweight by about 75lbs and this bag was short on her as well but it did come down to to her hip. So, I have been carrying it around by the handle or I don't put it across my chest.

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A great bag for a good price! This bag is sturdy, comfortable, fabulous looking, and light weight. I have a Dell Inspiron 1420 and it fits great in the extra padded area. I think a 15in would fit well, too, but my computer doesn't slide around, either. I would definitely recommend this bag to anyone who wants a laptop bag that's both cute and functional, and actually has room for all the extras without being huge.

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