(2005) Two months with this bag an it's still getting me to school. I haven't had any reliability issues.The good:
1) It'll hold everything. I carry so many books to school I used to carry a backpack and a laptop case. Now I just have this bag.
2) Big straps to hold the load.
3) Lots of compartments to help devide up and secure the stuff.
4) Padded back
The Bad:
1) Laptop sits between your back and your load. It's padded, but this doesn't stop the weight of the load from resting on your computer. It should be a hard case.
2) Big straps that are too wide to leave much room for flexibility in the arms.
3) Useless little mesh pockets.
4) Dividers aren't removable.
Thanks for reading
EDIT (Nov 2006): I've been forced to quit using this bag. After 1.5 years of heavy use with heavy loads, the main zipper gave out and tore away from the bag. Targus says they have a lifetime warranty, but good luck collecting. I still loved it and plan to get it fixed.
EDIT (June 10, 2007): Targuus seems to have lightened up on their warranty policy. Without a receipt, and without having registered, I was able to warranty this bag. Targus sent me a new one.
Detail: Over the last 5-6 years I have owned 3 of these backpacks. The one currently shipping (see "Version 3" below) is NOT as pictured. Here's a quick recap:
Version 1: My original backpack purchased in 2002 or so this version of the 15.4 Targus Gravity was well made and included both shoulder straps and a strap you could buckle around your waist. Given the volume the bag holds, these were very nice features because a heavily loaded pack (in my case full of lots of books and a much heavier 2002-era laptop) was surprisingly comfortable to carry around.
Version 2: When my original bag wore out (I'm pretty rough on them no fault of Targus there) I wanted to buy the identical model. I thought I had they had the same model number after all. Not so. (This purchase was made in 2006 or 2007.) The bag I received was otherwise identical to Version 1, but Targus stopped including the waist strap. I was pretty annoyed at this, but eventually got over it as I was unable to find anything better.
Version 3: In November 2009, my second backpack wore out. As with before, I wanted to purchase the IDENTICAL laptop bag. Hence, I searched for and bought the IDENTICAL model number the Targus RG0318 15.4 Gravity. Guess what, they changed the design AGAIN! They removed one of the two zippered side pockets, leaving just the useless mesh holder that things will fall out of if you ever set the bag on its side, toss it into the back of a car, into the overhead bin of a plane, etc. etc. etc. USELESS. Also, the interior materials are much cheaper and have a mass produced quality to them. They replaced the cool foldable document holder (that would keep papers nice and flat and out of the way) in the main compartment with a cheap velcro pouch.
The stock pictures you see listed are for what I call Version 2 above. I.e. they are OUT OF DATE and do not show the current instance of this backpack. If you buy the model now you will NOT get two zippered side pockets as shown, but only one.
Dear Targus: If you are going to change your product offerings, that's fine, do whatever you like, but DO NOT NAME THEM ALL WITH THE SAME MODEL NUMBER! It's a huge difference to get rid of a belly strap and then get rid of one of the zippered side pockets on a product like a backpack. These aren't mild cosmetic updates. They are fundamental changes to the product's usefulness, and changes for the worse at that.
Buy Targus RG0322 5.4 Matrix Notebook Backpack Fits up to 15.4-Inch Screens (Metallic Black) Now
I bought this backpack to allow myself to travel around my college campus and keep all my books and supplies with me. This bag is more than up to the challenge.It will carry 3 2" 3-ring binders, 3 textbooks, 1 lab manual, 1 personal book, an endless barrage of cables, cords, and accessories for my computer, pens, pencils, and just about everything you could possibly need. The front flap is elasticized, which makes it very convenient for carrying thin, light-weight items like the daily paper, or a spiral notebook. Targus recommends this space for a jacket, but I feel that this space is a bit small, especially in colder climates.
One word of caution, however. The bag will hold a large load, but be careful not to carry too much, as this bag can probably hold more than most people can carry.I had been carrying my notebook computer in a standard notebook case (not a backpack) and began deciding to leave my notebook at home instead of deal with the discomfort of carrying it through an airport or large building. Someone recommended that I try a Targus backpack, and I have not regretted switching a bit.
The RG0322 Matrix is a great Backpack. The shoulder straps are well padded and distribute the weight very well. There is plenty of room inside to hold everything I need to carry with me, while not causing my arms to ache after a short walk with it.
I know people with other brands of notebook bags that have had problems with zippers coming apart. The zippers on this bag seem to be very durable, and after using it for about 6 months I have no complaints with the quality of construction.
When traveling on quick overnight trips the bag is roomy enough to carry my notebook and all it's accessories, any paperwork I need for business meetings, clothes and toiletries. It wouldn't replace a suitcase for a long trip, but for the quick overnighter, this is not a bad bag.
I thought I would feel uncomfortable replacing my 'briefcase style' notebook bag with a backpack. I was concerned that it might not look as business-like as it could. After I bought the Targus backpack I started noticing how many other business travelers also carried notebook backpacks, and realized my concerns were wrong.
The Targus Matrix backpack is a great product at a reasonable price. If I had to go back and do it again, I would buy the same thing.NOTE on the interface first: Amazon's review system is really weird in this case where the drop-down selection is for *different* back-packs (unlike the usual where it's only a color scheme change). Like me, you might end up reading a review for a particular back-pack which is not really the one you are looking to buy, just because the reviews for all five bags are mixed up together and not filtered as per the back-pack selected.
This review is specific to the Targus RGS012 15.4 Slam Backpack. First off, the question in many prospective customers' minds are "will it take a 15.4" Wide Screen Notebook?" The answer is a resounding Yes. I got mine yesterday and I tried to fit in my Dell Inspiron E1505 15.4" WXGA Notebook. It fit like a glove very snugly; neither too tight nor too loose. The velcro strap is also just right and is not too short as one other reviewer had mentioned. It's stretchable so I can't fathom what kind of a thick notebook would one be carrying nowadays that the strap can't easily accomodate. There's also room for a couple of magazines and/or file folders in the same compartment.
Contrary to what a reviewer mentioned elsewhere, the side pockets *can* accomodate a water bottle each albeit of the 20oz kind provided you don't store anything else in the side pockets. Any bigger a bottle and you have to store it elsewhere -the main compartment or in another bag's side pocket.
The middle compartment is spacious enough to fit in about 3 T-shirts and maybe up to two (max) trousers if you roll them up or fold them very neatly with some space to spare for your jockey shorts. In here too is a pocket for storing a 2-3 magazines (the thickness of Time, Newsweek or NatGeo).
You can fit in a bathing and hand towel and essential toileteries (toothbrush, paste, soap, shampoo, shaving kit, and maybe a spray-on can) in the third compartment that would be really stretching it but it can handle it just in case you *really* need to have them along. But you can always transfer a few knick-knacks to either or both the side pockets. Like the other two compartments, this too has a pocket for storing a few magazines.
An aside: if you start using up ~all~ the pockets in the compartments for magazines AND fill it up with clothes / notebook etc it's gonna get very bulky for sure !!!
The outermost and final pocket is good for a portable media player, cell phone and maybe a few CDs alongwith your thumb drive just be very careful that you don't end up crushing them while travelling or maybe leaning against a wall. There's no padding available.
The straps have some paddings on them but it may not be very comfortable if you're going full-load with the bag; personally I'd have prefered a slightly wider strap with thicker paddings.
In conclusion, the finishing and worksmanship on this bag is pretty decent and I have nothing to complain about. This is a good back-pack.
Recommended !
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