Case Logic NOXF-114 Pavonis 14 to 15-Inch Laptop Tote (Black)

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)

This video tour of the Pavonis laptop tote shows the interior and exterior, construction, and demonstrates the fit for both 15" and 13.5" MacBooks. 4+ stars for 13.5 inch MacBooks (what I use it for) but only 3stars for 15" MacBook Pro.

-Debbie Lee Wesselmann

The Pavonis F114 reminds me of Fernando Lamas, an SNL character played by Billy Crystal who used "you look marvelous" for a standard greeting and whose motto was "it's better to look good than to feel good." The bag does look marvelous, no question about it and it does look a lot better than the average laptop bag. It's also a pain to use because it has a major design flaw.

THE BAD

It's probably fair to start with the bad part because if the the shoulder strap being always in the way whenever trying to get things in or out of the bag is a problem then there's not need to waste time reading about specs or the other good features.

The problem is that the wide, non-removable shoulder strap does not use D-rings or any kind of ring to connect itself to the bag's body. It always stands up on top of the bag's opening and that makes it very difficult to get it out of the way when trying to get things in and out. You must constantly move it out of the way and it keeps coming back annoying. Amazon's photos should give you a pretty good ideas of what to expect.

THE GOODS

The well-protected and generously padded inner compartment can easily host a 14-15" laptop. The main compartment has 2 large partitions, one for the laptop and the second with several zippered mesh pockets, detachable little purses, pen holders and so on. Two large side pockets off which one is zippered allow for even more versatility. And, when a little more room is needed, the zippered extension option allows for the bag to expand an extra 1.5" thicker, accordion-style.

Listing some of the features/specs:

Shoulder-bag only

9 pockets/partitions by my count

4 zippered compartments

Expandable to up to 1.5" thicker

Good padding for a laptop/netbook/tablet

Security strap lets you anchor the bag around a stool leg (watch for dogs if at an outdoor cafe)

16 x 2.5 x 13.8" external dimensions

13 x 1.1 x 9.1" internal dimensions

Made in China

I recognize the bag's versatility many pockets and the ability to expand it. I also liked the quality of materials and the generously wide shoulder strap. And the bag does look pretty.

MY RATING

In spite of all the good things I mentioned above, I hesitate between a one star (I hate it) and a two stars (I don't like it) rating because the shoulder strap interference with just about everything you do with the bag is THAT annoying. Sadly, the opposite of what seems to be the Case Logic motto: "Life, Simplified." applies in this case. The Pavonis is likely to complicate your life but it will probably make you look good. Which saves it the 'one star' rating.

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>> Brush your teeth, it's the law!

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