Chic Laptop Bags for Fall
By Suze Ridgeway
November 7th, 2005
Tired of papers hanging out of your plain old, torn-up black nylon laptop bag and ready to upgrade to something bigger, more manageable or ultra-stylish? The following ten uber-cool, hand-picked bags aim to please with style that will simultaneously punctuate your look and give you the ultimate in functionality, whether you're headed back to school, back to the boardroom or back to The Outback.
Dangerous
Vlieger & Vandam – Guardian Angel
Mysterious and dangerous. You like living on the edge. Or, at least, you like to look like you do. In any case, nobody will want to mess with you while you're wearing of these incredibly cool, totally intimidating laptop bags from the Guardian Angel line, with a three-dimensional gun or knife embossed on the woolfelt front. The bulk of the bag is made of black leather, has double handles and a detachable shoulder strap included, with a zipper enclosure. Available in Red, Moss-Green, Blue or Black, 17 x 12 x 4 inches, $190 Euros (approximately $233 US), http://www.vliegervandam.com/
Stylish
Acme – The Slim Cargo
Stylish at all costs? Get a bag to match your smooth, hip self. Stripes, flannel and circles cover the body of The Slim Cargo's sleek shell, giving added oomph in the style department with imported designer textiles. The interior includes a quilted satin "tuxedo" lining with soft padding on all four sides for a snuggly laptop. The bag features a large outer pocket for additional storage for you other electronic accessories and is lined with a "cashmere finish" micro-suede lining. Leather handles and removable shoulder strap give added carrying options. Available in Stripe-Peacock or Cadet, Quatrefoil-Silver, Repeat Circles – Black w/Pink, Flannel-Gray and Ballistic Nylon-Black. Sizing chart on website enables you to find your laptop to make choosing the correct-sized bag a snap. Price varies according to fabric and size of bag, and ranges from $139.00-$249.00. http://www.acmemade.com/
Powerful
Voltaic Systems - Solar Backpack
You'll be unplugged, independent and basking in the afterglow with the Voltaic Solar Backpack. The bag is actually a mobile power source specifically designed to charge electronic gadgets with 3 real-live, waterproof, scratch-resistant solar panels generating 4 watts of power. The system works for most accessories that can typically be powered by a car charger or USB charger, such as a cell phone, digital camera, or iPod. For example, 4-6 hours of direct sunlight should be enough to charge your cell phone, 5-6 for your iPod. The battery pack has an 2,200mAh Li Ion battery and contains a voltage converter with settings for 5, 6, and 7.2 volts, as well as a charge indicator and LED torch. An 11-piece standard adapter set is included, along with a laptop sleeve and bladder pouch. Black, 3.5 pounds, 20 x 10-15 x 7-10 inches, $229, http://www.voltaicsystems.com/
Super-Sized
Crumpler – The Embarrassment Line
In this case, size does matter. Crumpler's Embarrassment line of laptop/messenger bags, including The Moderate Embarrassment (12" laptops), The Considerable Embarrassment (15" laptops) and The Dreadful Embarrassment (17" laptops), are perfect for those wanting something that's practical, simplistically styled and extremely roomy. Each bag is made of water resistant 1000D Nylon and features a large exterior cargo pocket, a fully padded laptop compartment with a 6-pocket organizer, 3 interior front pockets, Velcro release straps and an adjustable and removable carrying strap with shoulder pad. Available in Black/Mid Grey, Dark Purple/Mid Purple, Lime/Mid Green, Dk Orange/Light Orange, Blue/Light Blue, $140-$160 AU (approximately $107-$123 US), http://www.crumpler.com.au/
Overprotective
Tom Bihn - The Brain Cell
Want to keep your high-powered, expensive baby safe from harm? The Brain Cell, from Tom Bihn, takes laptop protection to the limit by actually cradling and suspending your laptop horizontally inside a 4 mm corrugated plastic insert in your laptop bag, to protect it from the harshest of drops. (Check out The Brain Cell Drop test demo on their site using a raw egg in place of a laptop). 8mm thick soft foam padding surrounds your laptop while it hangs there to protect the top, bottom and sides. You can use the case alone, closing it up like a cereal box inside the padded flaps that seal with long-lasting Aplix® strips, or clip The Brain Cell securely inside Tom Bihn's Empire Builder, Brain Bag, Smart Alec, or the ID bags. If you require a vertical carrier, get the Tom Bihn Monolith. The Brain Cell is available in Deep Blue, Wasabi, Crimson, Steel or Black, comes in 6 sizes (see the handy Laptop Fit Guide on the site), $50, http://www.tombihn.com/
Well-traveled
Trager - The Transcontinental
Travel much? Trager's most popular, laptop bag, made of Tru-Ballistic & 1050 Denier Cordura Nylon, is a basic, functional and large backpack that has a padded compartment fitting laptops up to 13.5 x 11 x 2 inches. The bag features an exterior cell phone pocket and a deluxe organizer, and can convert into a shoulder bag or briefcase, depending on your needs, with backpack straps that zip away to accommodate the shoulder strap or the "love handle" grip. Available in Slate, Black and Hunter, $150, http://www.tombihn.com/
Classic
Levenger – The Cambridge Briefbag
This very well could be the last laptop bag you will ever buy. The Cambridge Bag is made of durable leather, that only gets better with use, as well as handles made of hand-cast hardware stitched and riveted to stay put through the years. Rugged zippers, a roomy interior with 3 compartments, a removable, leather-trimmed laptop sleeve for laptops up to 14", as well as 2 outside stash compartments for your Wall Street Journal, are all part of the complete package. Available in Tobacco and Black, 4 lbs., 18 x 6 x 12.5 inches, $528, http://www.levenger.com/
Ms. Multi-tasker
Chelsey Henry – Work-to-Play Bag
The Work-to-Play Bag is a workhorse of a laptop bag, designed for women who rush straight from the office to the gym, or vice versa, daily. This sleek multitasking bag has a padded laptop compartment, cell phone and PDA pockets, water bottle pockets, a snap-out laundry bag for sweaty gym clothes, two internal zippered pockets, an external magnetic snap pocket, a key ring and even a striped "Party Girl" lining. Available in Cocoa with French Blue Trim, Cocoa with Lipstick Trim, Butter with French Blue Trim, Black with Black Trim, 16 x 15 x 3.5 inches, $95, http://www.boutiquetoyou.com/
Femme Fatale
Timbuk2 - Marina Computer Handbag
Hey ladies! Get funky with the Timbuk2 Marina Computer Handbag. The standard Marina handbag, also offered by Timbuk2, has been resized and retooled for a dash of panache in your laptop bag. The Marina is able to carry file folders, as well as an Apple 15-inch PowerBook, along with standard and smaller PC laptops in its thick padded compartment. Colorful ballistic nylon and no-slip shoulder handles enable you to hug your bag close. The Marina also features an easy-access plush-lined, exterior cell phone pocket and pen holders, as well as a waterproof padded bottom panel that protects your bag as well as all of your precious cargo. Red key tether and a secure zipper pocket for valuables inside. Timbuk2 also has matching, quilted laptop sleeves for the ultimate in protective accessorizing. Available in Orange and Royal Blue, 15.5 x 12 x 4.5 inches, $80, http://www.timbuk2.com/
Giving
Pinder - THIN
Give back when you buy one of Pinder's sleek, minimalistic, yet tough THIN bags, made of abrasion-resistant, water repellant 1000 denier Nylon. 5% of net revenues will go to one of seven charities, including Amnesty International, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Doctors Without Borders, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, United Service Organizations (USO) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals. Available in Haute Pink, Orange Heat, Mo' Green, Sky High Blue, Silver Steel, Major Camo and Corner Office Grey, dimensions range from X-Small (12" x 10 " x 1.2") to Large (16.5" x 12.5" x 1.75"), $49-$59, http://www.pinderbags.com/