I want to start by saying I am a graduate business/law student. I have a laptop, I have a lot of books. I travel sometimes. I want my backpack comfortable to carry, protect my laptop WELL, and hold all my books, pens, highlighters, notepads, usb sticks, laptop charger, business cards and so on. Those are the needs that I keep in mind when I reveiw this bag.
I would like to give this bag something like 4,5 stars. Being a samsonite, it is not perhaps surprising that the backpack has the general feel and qualities of a travel suitcase. Hard to explain, but you will surely understand if you see it. That being said, the quality is generally superb, specially compared to most backpacks. The protection for the laptop is mostly top notch. The only problem is that a 15,6 inch laptop will not fit perfectly but will have the zipper tightly enclosed around it, meaning that any hits to the top of bag, on the edges of the laptop will likely damage it. That is a bit dissapointing. Also, its too bad the side pockets (for bottles) do not have any zippers, so that they could double as pockets for other stuff such as the computer charger. I would also have appreciated a business card holder and a few more separation pockets in the bottom pocket, to hold and separate stuff such as a USB stick, screen cleaner etc. As it is they are all in the same mesh pocket and it is not very orderly (Im a bit of neat freek who loves organization). If it was just a little bit more of a mobile office this would be amazing. Everything else I am extremely happy with.
I purchased this for my daughter who carries lots of books and a laptop in 3 different over the shoulder bags all day long. She has worn several shoulder bags out and she asked for a backpack. I have been looking for one that would not wear out in a month, hold all her books and protect her laptop. This is the one. It is very well made, padded shoulders, the top handle is also padded, the back is padded and vented. The pocket for the computer has bumper pads on the bottom to protect the computer if the bag is dropped. Lots of nice pockets, she should not need to carry a purse in addition to this. The pocket for the computer is slim, just big enough for the computer, the pocket for the books is roomy enough for 3 textbooks, with lots of storage slots for pens, calculators and other small items. It stands up on its own when sitting empty, so it has a good frame in it too. Very light weight. It is large enough but not bulky, I was afraid that it would look like a camel hump on her back, but I think it will be just right. The price is hefty for me, but I think it will be well worth the investment. The Samsonite brand indicates quality and it feels like a quality piece, plus it has a 3 year limited warranty. I love it. I hope she loves it. It will be given as a Christmas gift, so I will update the review once she has had a chance to use it.
1/30/13 Update
I purchased 2 of these, my son in college wanted one once he saw hers and he has reported back to me that he loves it. He said that it was very sturdy and light with good venting in the back and the straps, he is a sweaty boy who walks all over campus and that is important to him. My daughter handed hers to me the other day and warned me it was heavy and I darn near dropped it because it was so heavy, filled with books. It shows no wear, did not creak at any of the seams as I held it with one strap or the other and shifted the weight in my hand to get it better balanced. I can't say how impressed I am with this backpack. Very well worth my investment. I will check back in at the end of the year and tell you if they are still holding up.
Buy Samsonite Luggage Vizair Laptop Backpack Now
This is simply the best backpack I have ever owned! Since being in college I have had a lot of trouble finding a backpack that can hold up to the heavy loads that I carry on a daily basis. I have no doubt that this backpack will work for my upcoming semester of college. This is the best backpack in the world in my opinion. If you're in college and looking for a really sturdy backpack... this is the one for you! The Price may seem expensive but trust me... its worth it!!
Read Best Reviews of Samsonite Luggage Vizair Laptop Backpack Here
I was very impressed with this backpack. It is extremely well made and the attention to detail is excellent. The compartments are great. Even has a sleeve labeled "tablet". The straps and back support are both comfortable.
my only warning to you is this a large size backpack. If sometimes you only plan to be carrying a couple of books.. you might be a little annoyed at how large of a backpack it is.
Want Samsonite Luggage Vizair Laptop Backpack Discount?
This is a great laptop bag, with plenty of room for books and clothes or whatever else you want to carry. I love the styling and the roominess of the pockets---even the top pocket, which can be too cramped for hands to reach into on some bags, is big enough to easily get things in and out . The two-way zippers are great, and one of my main requirements in a bag after having too many that only zip one way, necessitating completely opening a flap in order to get things out. I want to be able to just open the top of the pocket I'm accessing so stuff doesn't spill out everywhere, and this one fits that bill.
The bag is VERY well made, and seems like it will hold up a long time. This has the feel of luggage, which I suppose it as, as opposed to just a thin school-type backpack. It's comfortable enough to wear, even with books inside. The laptop pocket with the silicone air bumpers keeps my laptop secure from jostling and dropping, and even a smaller laptop feels like it's snug and safe in that pocket (my laptop is a 14" Thinkpad).
Drawbacks that keep it from having 5 stars:
1. The felt-type liner material is a problem in the "folder pockets"---the place where you slide papers, tickets or thin folders at the back of the pocket---because it snags papers as you try to slide them. In the end I adapted a fedex mailer to slide down inside that folder pocket and then was able to slide my tickets and printed flight information easily in and out of the pocket.
2. Two side pockets for holding bottles: How many bottles does the average person take on any given outing? I would have preferred to have at least one of the pockets be zippered so that I could feel safe putting other things in it (phone, mp3 player, whatever). As it is, you dare not put anything in them other than bottles.
Overall this is the best laptop bag I've ever used (and I've several) and did not hesitate to buy a second one for my daughter.
I bought this bag to accommodate a laptop computer and books, portfolio, etc., for an adjunct teaching job on a campus where I don't have a private office and have classes in different buildings. I wanted something that would be distinctive and attractive, but stand out from the students' backpacks & messenger bags.
