I was hesitant to buy this because of the mixed reviews, but I am happy with it overall. I wanted a laptop backpack that fit only a few select things that I need everyday. I tend to fill my bag up with misc things and it gets heavier and heavier. Then when I clean it out I wonder why I've been carrying all this junk around. I am 5'6" with a small frame and it fits me comfortably (it's a medium). At first I felt like the straps sat too far apart on my shoulders, but the sternum strap solved that problem it's very comfortable to wear and walk long distances with. I have a 17" MacBookPro which JUST fits if the bag wasn't stretchy it wouldn't zip. It's easy to zip now that it's broken in, but at first it was a little difficult. I can also fit a few folders and paper in with the laptop. I can fit the battery and power cord in the additional pocket with room to spare. The small pocket on the strap is too small to fit my phone or wallet so I've found that to be kind of useless. An iPod Nano would probably fit.
I haven't actually used this backpack yet because I'm trying to decide whether to keep it. First of all, the color doesn't match the photo at ALL. I guess I really should have gone more with the title rather than the photo. The color is a true, army-green olive, not a lighter lime-green.
Also, I find the medium size quite long. I'm 5'5" medium heightbut when I put my laptop in and put on the backback, my laptop sort of hits the back of my hips, which is not what I expected. Maybe because it is made for men? If so, I wish they would make one specifically for women.
However, I love that it is so lightweight--I think it will really help take the load off my shoulders, and it has a pocket on the front for a phone. I will probably end up keeping it, although I might exchange it for black.
Buy BUILT Laptop Backpack Medium Now
after opening was very excited as it is one cool sleek minimalist backpack.
however after popping in the laptop and strapping it on the disappointment set in.
not real comfortable tight in front of the shoulders.
ordered a large as well thinking the extra width / length would solve the problem.
unfortunately it did not the whole shoulder harness seemed both narrow and short.
still pulled in front of the shoulders and under the armpits. and i am not a huge guy @ 6'0 and 160 lbs.
both were returned.
Read Best Reviews of BUILT Laptop Backpack Medium Here
This backpack seems very sleek and small, but its not great for most big laptops. I have a 17" dv7t and well my laptop couldn't fit inside. Also it feels like the rectangular shape of the laptop seems to disproportion the backpacks look. Its a nice style, but difficult to carry a lot of things.
Want BUILT Laptop Backpack Medium Discount?
They say this bags comes in three sizes. I've only encountered medium & large and would love to have found small. Mine is a medium in green. As a bonus it does better than black in the heat and not opting for the `orangey pink' one means my guy does not mind carrying it too. :)
It has been my experience that a bigger bag means filling it with more stuff and it becoming an anchor. I have a bad back and this distributes the weight evenly and allows for normal posture. (With other bags, you wouldn't believe how much you end up leaning and adjusting to keep a strap on your shoulder.) I have been able to run with it and not have anything bounce around too badly. In bad weather (depending on the fit of what I am wearing ) it can and has fit under my coat. As learned on the return leg of a trip, in a pinch you can stuff more in. The look is not streamlined but it can work and with time the bag does go back to its usual shape.
With its small size, the bag forces you to make smarter choices about what goes in. Yes, there was a rethink period of time for deciding what I need to have with me but after working through that, I love it. I do have some handy tips that might help you enjoy your bag more.
I ended up using velcro ties to bundle each cable. I bought a large neoprene pencil case for $2 at a dollar store. (The large is the whole width at the bottom and ha a bonus of helping with structure/shape. My first attempt was a small one, which I found to be OK but inadequate for my needs. I use it inside the big one to hold the smaller items so that they do not get lost when opening the bigger case.) It helps keep the lines as smooth as possible too and keeps me from having to reach in the side putting my whole arm in to rummage for adaptors and cables. I take the whole thing out find what I want and put it back.
I am also glad I kept the plastic foam padding that came inside the thing when shipped to me. I found that having it inside helps keep the structure, yet it still is flexible. I wish something like this was incorporated into the design. In the meantime I want to rig it so that the thing stays in place but haven't quite figured it out yet. Still have yours? Try it!
I have sewn a few stitches to afix a metal ring up and into the side compartment. I use this to clip my house keys to with a carabiner. On long trips I know that I will not need them and it doesn't need to take up precious space in the small strap compartment. By getting into the habit of putting them there, I KNOW where they are without having to rummage.
I keep another carabiner clipped on the top loop, which can be a decent solution to being water bottle hands free. Sadly it does jostle around a bunch and I am looking for a better solution but in the meantime it works.
I do wish the straps were a bit adjustable and I get that with this design they aren't and wish for a more female body friendly design (narrower shoulders & allowing more space or adjustability for the straps in relation to chest/breasts). I would like to have tried a small as I think my small computer sits a little low on me. I still think that it would be possible with small adjustments to make it so the stabilizer strap was movable and this would make it a tad more vesatile and comfortable. Considering the alternatives in bags (and I've tried many) I'll stick with this one thanks.
For those who think the bag can't fit much without looking bulky, it can but it does take some thought. This is what I usually keep in mine (Unless going on a long trip that isn't DJ related then I pear down to just * items):
DEVICES:
* 13.3-inch Laptop* * Traktor external soundcard * iPod* * earbud headphones* * USB mouse * USB Key/Flash Drive * Sony e-reader in its case* * small LED flash light
CABLES:
* Laptop power cable* * Mini Stereo Y Cable MONSTER CABLE (card to mixer/board) * auxiliary cable * USB to Traktor (power) * USB to iPod* * USB to mini* * USB to micro*
ADAPTORS:
* wall to USB adaptor* * Dual MiniJacks (3.5mm) Y'd to a Stereo Mini Plug (two can listen)* * 1/4' male Stereo to 3.5mm jack (big to little) * 3.5mm male Stereo to 1/4' jack (little to big)
EXTRAS:
* earplugs* * Gum* * Advil/Robax* * safety pins* * bandaids* * pen * hair tie* * tampons*
I purchased this because I am having another knee surgery and needed a purse I will be able to carry while on crutches. I considered the Vera Bradley types, but this was a much better product for a lot lower price. I absolutely love all of the pockets on the inside and outside to organize my stuff. The straps also zip together to form a single strap for one-shoulder use. It also has little metal tip things on the bottom to keep it balanced on the floor or a table without getting the fabric all dirty or ripped.
