This backpack works really good as a laptop carrier, and you could also carry the cords, etc, but it's not nearly as big as it looks in the photo. In the photo it looks as if it could double as a school backpack, and it couldn't. That's not a drawback for *me*, but I just want to make that clear to a potential buyer. Aside from that, it's very well made, sturdy, and comfortable. It's also a nice alternative to the all too common messenger bag if that's not your style.
This backpack is surprisingly comfortable. The shoulder straps aren't bulky, but they are slightly padded and adjustable in length at the bottom and in depth at the top. The laptop compartment sits next to the wearer's back and is padded with breathable mesh padding in a way that both protects the laptop and makes the backpack comfortable to wear. I haven't gotten sticky back, where sweat from your back makes your shirt stick to you after taking off a backpack, while wearing it.
The build quality is uncompromising. The zippers are sturdy and in 3 months of daily use have snagged exactly 0 times. It looks exactly like the day I got it. No loose stitches, no signs of wear, no signs of fatigue. The laptop pocket is separate from the other pockets, so you don't have to worry about mayo from your lunch getting in your keyboard. That pocket is padded on both sides to protect the laptop from other things in the bag and from the outside world. The non-laptop pockets are two layer material. Outside is a durable almost rubberized material that seems very water resistant, along with reinforcements in key areas of nylon webbing. Inside the pockets are lined with a thinner non-rubbarized nylon that also seems quite sturdy.
Another comparison point is an Osprey daypack I use when hiking outdoors without my laptop. Osprey makes packs that are guaranteed for life and charge accordingly. Both backpacks seem to use the same mesh padding on the back (the Targus laptop pack has additional padding behind that for the laptop). Both have the same material for the lining of the pockets. Both have similar quality zippers, though my Osprey zippers snag some due to how they are built in. The shell material in the Targus seems more water resistant and more durable.
Really the only downside I can find is that the yellow color lining the laptop pocket on the Dusty Green/Black and Yellow Accents model is not very attractive. But you only see that when you are opening the pocket to put a laptop in or out, so it's not that big of a deal to me.
Highly reccomended. In the past, I've used Targus laptop backpacks that were basically backpack versions of the standard Targus laptop briefcase. They were optimized for carrying laptops and business papers, but they weren't very comfortable backpacks. I've also tried standard backpacks, but the lack of a dedicated laptop compartment was a drawback. To protect the laptop, I put my computer in a neoprene sleeve, which added weight, bulk, and hassle.
This Targus case is a nice hybrid. Overall, the design is very similar to a standard backpack, but it has a padded compartment with a microfiber covering on one side for the laptop. The design is very good for college students.
Here's a quick summary of what I like (+) and where there's room for improvement (-) ...
+ Dedicated, nicely padded laptop area, with microfiber lining on one side (you need to put the laptop in the case with the top cover on the microfiber side to get full anti-scuff protection, although the other side is basic nylon, which shouldn't be too bad on the laptop) -laptop compartment is very large (they say it handles a 16" laptop, but my 17" fits easily)
+ Nice, roomy backpack, with good-sized water bottle holders on both sides (large enough for refillable bottles), and easily accessible gadgets pouch
+ Looks like pretty heavy duty stitching, the fabric looks like it's probably waterproof, and the straps adjust easily
Shoulder strap padding is noticeably lighter/thinner than I'm used to for backpacks -this feels like it could be a problem when carrying heavy loads (I was surprised by this drawback, since my previous Targus packs have had beefy, well-padded straps)
The fabric is a thin, smooth, waterproof (I assume) material -it doesn't look/feel like it will wear as well as heavy duty ballistic nylon, but that's just a gut feeling for now (I'll have to use it for a few months to know for sure)
Overall: Decent general purpose backpack, although it doesn't feel to me like it has the quality of materials and number of features I'd expect for fifty dollars (the price at the time of this review). If you just want a good quality backpack, better and cheaper packs are widely available. If you want a dedicated, padded, lined compartment for your large laptop, though, Targus cases like this one are worth the extra dollars. Within the Targus line, I personally prefer their standard laptop backpacks over this "military" model -their standard packs have better fabrics and features for the price. This is a very well-made backpack that I use when I am transporting my computer but also just to take back and forth to work. Lots of pockets plenty of protection for your laptop a quality product. I received this bag for free from the Amazon Vine program. The bag has a somewhat "tactical" or military look, so I'm comparing it to other bags of a tactical or outdoor nature.
My first impression was that this is a low quality bag the material is not very thick or rugged, and the zippers and hardware in particular are of the cheap low quality type. Frankly, I'm surprised by all the high reviews, as this simply is not up to the quality standards of other tactical style backpacks, i.e. anything from Maxpedition, the more value based 5.11, or my personal favorite Blue Force Gear, or from other outdoorsy makers such as Patagonia.
While I wasn't overly impressed with the build quality of this bag, I decided to reserve judgment until I saw the price, as the brands I listed above, while of far superior quality, can also be quite pricey. Honestly based on the quality of this bag I was expecting it to cost $25 or so, and I was surprised to see it listed at over fifty dollars.
One thing I like about this bag is that it has two large compartments, as opposed to only one large one. I currently use this as my gym back, and the dual compartments allows me to keep my clean vs. dirty clothes separated.
Based on the overall quality vs. value, I give this item 3 stars, as it is still cheaper than other tactical backpacks. However, if you plan to purchase a bag that you will use for a long time and will potentially see some hard use, I think it the long run it would be better to pay more money for a bag that will last. I just don't think this bag is going to hold up to long term or hard use.
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