As if I had the need to re-test the old axiom "junk will expand to fill the space available for it," the Targus Backpack is the latest product to validate it for me. It has become my constant companion both in house and out. Since I first supplied it I haven't bothered to unpack it, simply toting it around and taking out flash drives or other items I might have a need for at one of my desktops.There used to be a time when I grabbed my laptop bag and began the culling process of items I could comfortably fit in it or my briefcase. This stylish, roomy and thoughtfully compartmentalized bag eliminates the need for two storage cases by offering the capacity to lug everything in one case including all of the documents and paraphernalia from the briefcase and add even more items I might fabricate a real need for at some future date.
I am lugging a laptop, power supply, portable scanner, external speakers and hard drives, full size audio headset,USB/battery operated LED lamp, wireless keyboard/mouse, DC power converter, two iPods, netbook, etc., not because I have any real use for each item on a regular basis (or, to this point have ever used a couple of the peripherals on the road) but solely because I can...conveniently.
My preference remains the backpack option so in consideration of the amount of weight I have added to it, I was pleased to discover in addition to typical stitched attachment the padded shoulder straps are also riveted and the wheels can be covered with a flap that doubles as a strap storage cover when it is used as a rolling case. Excluding the open mesh side pockets, the polyester exterior is highly water resistant as I have had the "good fortune" to get caught in a couple of thunderstorms and the backpack has endured much better than I did.
(Note to self: Maybe add a collapsible umbrella?)
I have traditionally used a shoulder laptop bag. These bags have good design and lots of sections to keep your things organized, but when you are carrying them in your hand or on your shoulder, the weight is not evenly distributed, and they have a tendency to get your back out of alignment.
I was excited, therefor, to get to try this Targus bag. This bag gives you two options for carrying your heavy carry on items without endangering your back. First, it can be carried as a backpack. I was delighted to see that the bag is shaped to actually contour to your back, and it does not have any pressure points that cause discomfort when you are wearing it. It rests comfortably on your back, and you hardly notice that it is there. If you grow tired of having the thing on your back, you can drop it to the floor and use the wheels on the bottom. The handle that pops out when you use it in this mode is long enough so that you do not have to stoop to use it. Also, the wheels are situated at the outside edges of the bag, giving it a wide stance, allowing you to pull it without it constantly tipping left or right. If you have ever had a wheely bag with the wheels not on the outside edge, you will know what I am talking about.
Finally, the bag has two compartments that allow you to keep things organized. The larger compartment will hold your laptop, charger, and books. The smaller compartment has many smaller compartments for things like cell phones, small cameras, pens, calculators and so forth.
The bag is well designed, solidly constructed and all the details have been well thought out. This will become my new "go to" carry on bag. This backpack is advertised and sold as a laptop bag, and as a laptop bag it is fantastic. Plenty of padding, plenty of room for cables, plugs, etc and plenty of room for other extras like pens or pencils. There is also two compartments/sleeves that would easily fit a tablet device or even a MacBook Air 11" model with plenty of room to spare. There are small compartments, large compartments, you can definitely "lose" something in all the compartments (but that is not a bad thing).
It is well made and the rolling capabilities definitely help when the bag is weighted down.
With that said, I could see this as an overnight bag as well. The main compartment has plenty of room for a change of clothing with a tablet or small laptop with plenty of room to spare in the front compartment for toiletries and/or accessories. I definitely see myself taking this as a overnight bag if needed.
I really like the outside pockets and the ability to stow away the arm straps.
All it needs now is some type of portable power source built in and it would be perfect!
The price is right also, for a rolling backpack from a name brand that is well made. Nice bag!I have rolled this mofo about 20 miles so far, and it's still going strong, even through the wind and rain and over the dog-poo-covered sidewalks of Paris and the urine soaked hallways of the City of Love's infamous metro system. It fits all the stuff inside that I need for two days of work, including computer, books, make-up, change of clothing, hard-boiled egg, and blow-up pillow for the train ride. My only complaint is that it only has two pockets, and it really needs, like, 6. Or 3. I'd be happy with 3. The side pockets and mini pocket in front don't count. They're only big enough for tissues and small cords and used metro tickets and dog treats. I need bigger pockets for things like umbrellas and potato chips (big bag) and boxes of tampons and stuff like that. Friggin chips got smashed last week. *grumble ... g.d. broken chips ... grumble*
One thing I especially love is the handle. That's dumb, probably, but there ya go. The cloth one is soft, flexible, but sewn on so tight I'm sure that if a bad man tried to come and steal my bag away from me, he'd have an easier time cutting my hand off than the bag handle to get it free. And the metal handle part, shaped like a "T" (T for "totally awesome") is perfect not only for towing the bag behind but also for hauling it up stairs, even when there are 100 people pushing us from behind, because they are way more important than me and my Targus and must reach their destination before we do.
All in all, a good, solid purchase. Now, if the company who makes Targus bags comes up with one with more pockets, well, I'll be the first in line to buy it. Until then, ONWARD, bold Targus-rolly-business-backpack-with-only-two-decent-sized-pockets!! Let us brave the cold, cold nights and dog-poo-covered sidewalks of Paris together once more...
Signed,
Elle Casey and her friend, the ever-faithful, Targus-rolly-business-backpack-with-only-two-decent-sized-pocketsOverall, I'm highly pleased with the bag. My dell vostro 1520 with an extended battery fits very tight on the laptop sleeve, but I'm able to get the laptop in and out without any problems. Also, for work sometimes I have to carry two laptops, and this backpack has 2 compartments where I can put both of my laptops. What really disappoints me about this bag is that it doesn't have any 'zippered' compartments inside.
The smaller compartment in the front does have some space for pens, cords, etc, but inside this area, there are no zippered smaller compartments to be found. I guess I was spoiled by my other Swiss bag which has multiple compartments inside with zippers, and those I find convenient as I can store my work ID's, or smaller tokens which have a tendency to fall out and get lost. I should have paid closer attention when I was looking at the bag on amazon, but somehow that didn't occur to me until I actually had to use the bag and I realized that I couldn't "zipped" my ID's or smaller items away. Of course a zip lock bag solved my problem.
There is a small zippered pocket in the front of the bag which I really like as I can put my ipod or cellphone or parking ticket in there; by the way, flew Jetblue and other normal sized planes and the bag fits fine in the overhead bins. Also, I tested it out, and it fitted underneath jetblue's seat, and under a United and AA plane. Not much room to move your feet around though.
As somebody else mentioned, the back straps aren't really padded and when I travel internationally, I do have a total of 3 luggages so in these occasions I use this bag as a backpack, and I do find it uncomfortable on my shoulders, even when I had a thick sweater on; the distance I typically cover using it as a backpack on my back is from curbside to check-in gate, which normally is not a big distance, but even in such short distance, I immediately noticed the uncomfortable straps. On my next purchase definitely need to look for a bag that has better padded shoulder straps, but the main reason I bought this bag was not to use it as a backpack, so this is a minor issue for me.
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