This is a well-built and solid bag, that would be ideal for either the academic or the itinerant professional. It's a bit more casual than a briefcase, but looks quite professional hanging over the shoulder on a comfortable strap. I have to admit it makes me look a lot more professional than the backpack I'd been using for a few years, and that often had people mistaking me for a student. More importantly, it's solidly built and will protect and provide convenient access to the key items that professionals and academics (like myself) need to carry around with them.
On the outer flap there's a zipper container where you can fit essential papers such as a passport and boarding passes. There's a "sleeve" that allows you to secure the bag onto the handle of a rolling carry-on bag, extra convenient for travel..... Then there's another pouch that you could fill with a cell phone, an ipod or keys and other such items you need easy access to but need to be protected. On the side, there's a mesh pocket that would easily fit a water bottle, but you can zip it up for convenience when it's not being used.
When you open the flap, you find a padded compartment for a laptop, that fits my 15" Macbook Pro perfectly, and that handily keeps it separate from a roomy chamber where I can fit a few folders packed with papers to grade and a couple of books that I'm taking home to prepare for the next day. There's also another zippered pouch with a number of different pockets inside.
There are a couple of other pockets along the back, that you could fill with other random sundries. They seem less useful to me than the rest, since I'd like the back to be flat where it bumps up against my back. Still, on a long trip they might be a convenient place to store a magazine or newspaper or snacks. This is a great bag I'm quite happy with it.
I never saw this Toploader before until it was delivered. I ordered it based on the features, reviews and price. I've seen other types and kinds in the stores but none of em interested me. I have a 15.6 Toshiba Satelite and it fits easily in this bag even with a USB wireless mouse adapter plugged into one of the USB ports. Great quality and features. I made the right choice.
Buy Belkin Dash Toploader for 16-Inch Laptops Now
Need a heavy-duty laptop bag for everyday use? This Belkin model will do the job for you. I lugged two laptops around in it for a couple days--including a heavy 12 year-old Mac G3, an old zip drive, and several cables and heavy adapters--and this bag handled the load without any trouble. It features extra pockets and zipper pouches on every imaginable surface, a durable canvas exterior, and a strong shoulder strap that looks like it will stand the test of time.
Admittedly, I haven't put this baby to everyday use yet. But it looks and feels so much more solid than any of the other bags I've had recently that I expect it to withstand years of heavy use and punishment.
Overall, this is a solid and handsomely designed product.
Read Best Reviews of Belkin Dash Toploader for 16-Inch Laptops Here
This lap top bag is utilitarian and functional, made of a durable waterproof material and designed with many pockets to carry all your gadgets, including a padded area for your laptop. It's two-toned--a dark cement with black trim. The zippers are strong and sturdy and open and close with ease. There's even a trolley pass-through and a water bottle pocket. The shoulder strap is also padded and removable.
It is not über attractive or imaginatively edgy. Don't get me wrong--it isn't ugly, but it isn't snazzy. However, it does what it is supposed to do and all my items feel secure in there. It holds everything you want to carry. No complaints as far as function. I would recommend it without reservation for security, for wet weather, and to anyone who isn't looking for a jazzy looking messenger bag.
ADDENDUM: Nov. 10th--after several uses this week to do Thanksgiving shopping and errands, I have fallen in love with this bag. Once it is full, it gets more taut and, voilà, looks more attractive (it gets the wrinkles out). I can't get over how secure it is, and how absolutely comfortable, and the quality zippers that open and close like they're on rails! (OK, I did steal that from Pretty Woman). New and empty it doesn't look as sleek as it does when packed.
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This case is a nice size to carry all the items required along with the laptop itself. The built in slot in the back fits nicely over a carry-on suitcase handle. Many owners of this bag\case comment about the zippers and how nice they are. I agree, but 2 of them in the front have flush\smooth zippers that are a little bit difficult to open and close. A smidgen of paraffin wax rubbed into the zipper teeth helps a lot.
Pros Nice size. Lots of pockets. Sturdy center handle (which is important to me) Fairly well built. Very light for it's size (until you start putting stuff into it)The laptop storage area is in the middle of the bag for maximum padding from bumps. Also, the laptop removes and goes back in very easily for inspection at airports.
Cons Two of the zippers work fairly hard. I'm sure if they were used frequently they would be the first ones to fail. I personally only use these 2 front pockets for items I don't access very often. The rest of the zippers will stand up for some time.
Other thoughts I don't care much for the print on the back that says "BELKIN Born in California, Made in Vietnam, Enjoy". Well, that's the most interesting brand\marking on an item I have ever seen.
Overall, this is a very good choice to carry your valuable laptop in.
I bought this for a day hike in the Grand Canyon, I needed something on the smaller side. It is great, and I'm very happy with the purchase. It has lots of nice pockets and places to store things. Has a spot for a camelback as well, although I don't have one so haven't used that yet. The zippers are high quality and easy to use. It's super lightweight and compact but you can also stuff more things in there than you would expect at first. I've only had it a short while, but it seems like it will be durable. And Osprey has a lifetime guarantee, so if anything goes wrong with it ever you can send it back for a new one.
