'Casual' laptop bags for MacBookPro as aircraft hand luggage

For 90pounds, I'd skip that and go to: Http://www.tombinh.com and go for the Empire Builder. It is perfect for all travel, legal size, and is honestly the best and most comforatble bag I've ever owned.

Bob

Personally, I think that backpack style bags look much less conspicuous to those who want to grab a laptop than messenger style bags. As a backpacker, I was tempted to buy a sleeved daypack from one of the more reputable backpack manufacturers, although I ended up getting a Booq Python XM (still a backpack).

If I were you I would look for a traditional looking backpack (maybe even from a traditional backpack company) that doesn't scream "LAPTOP INSIDE"! Backpacks are much more difficult for those who get into bag-snatching situations, as well and there are some very good packs (from companies like Gregory, Osprey, etc.) that have belt 'pouches' and 'pockets' so you can store anything from passport and cash to sunglasses and iPods and you need not remove the pack to get to the items.

You're doing well to look a Crumpler, I think... certainly staying away from "laptop black nylon" is a good thing! But I would consider backpack styles rather than messenger or standard laptop-looking bags.

I see the apple store is selling the brenthaven bags which are specifically designed for the macbook pro. http://www.brenthaven.com/

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Chad

imac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Try this link Phil.

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/retail/catalog.htm?categoryId=7

This bag fits MacBook Pro.

This is the type of bag I like traveling with:

http://www.mac-case.com/MacCase%20Jackets.htm

I have one of these and really like the various pockets.

Oh - and before I decided that I absolutely had to have a backpack design (even though I had a fully functional Brenthaven - a well designed bag - I could not stand the check-in/check-out 'shoulder strap slip' that seems unavoidable with a certain degree of weight: unless you're willing to use a duct-tape harness system) I did look at this Tom Bihn design:

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0730

and also looked at their "Brain Bag" backpack...

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/100/TB0104

...but, as I said, I finally got the Booq Python XM (although it wasn't then - and still isn't - shipping with the sleeve made expressly for the MBP):

http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.***?no=457

I know that you state that you're looking for 'hand luggage' and that backpacks don't QUITE fit into that criteria, but as someone who has travelled a great deal (and to all seven continents! Yes, my 12" PB made the trip to Antarctica!) I became sold on backpack-style carry-ons back in the early 1980's (and each time that I've decided to use a shoulder-strap/handle combo for a three-day trip to San Francisco or London I have always regretted the decision.

Booq has posted more photos of the Python on their website...

http://www.booqbags.com/stores/booqbags/images/BillingSet/PYT-BLK-stuffed3800.jp g

http://www.booqbags.com/stores/booqbags/images/BillingSet/PYT-BLK-int800.jpg

...and I would really urge you to expand your criteria a bit and at least consider a backpack type bag, if not the Python itself. I don't know what sort of traveling you'll be doing in NZ but unless you're strictly being shuttled from airport to hotel to meetings, etc., a backpack simply makes more sense (to me, I must hastily add!). It even nicely packs my favorite techno-backcountry accessory...

http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=420

(I wish I knew how to embed a url in a single word or phrase - the technique I use on another msg board doesn't work here!)

So... I may be wasting my time, your heart and mind may be set... but if I can just instill a bit of shift, I'll have at least soothed my own conscious!

Hi Phil,

1. Discrete as possible so as to not attract unwanted
attention, something like those offered by Crumpler
( http://www.crumpler.com.au)
2. Big enough to accomodate the MacBookPro and a few
other items (iPod, few books, passport etc).
3. Small enough to be allowed on a plane as hand
luggage.
will also double as my general walkabout bag.
I'm currently thinking along the lines of the Very Busy Man
Obviously I'm going to try to find a store that sells
these bags so that I can see them in the flesh, but

I've had the Crumpler Very Busy Man (color theme Red/Lt. Blue) now for about two weeks and have been very happy with it. It easily fits 2-3 magazines or a big book (think 1000 page) in the main compartment, a Powershot G5, the MBP, power adapter, an iPod nano, two cell phones, plane tickets and passport in the front compartment with room to spare. The laptop sleeve padding is pretty okay too and the "lid" to the sleeve is fastened with velcro strips to keep the laptop from jumping around. It is easy to carry on just one shoulder. No idea about how "water proof" the bag is in reality. It's also well within the size specifications of luggage allowed into the cabin, the only problem could be the weight if you fill it with all the goodies. 😉 The front side compartment is closed with a zipper and inside there is a second smaller space with a zipper as well along with some pouches (velcro fastening) for the remote or whatever.

The only negative I have to say about it is that there is no place for the water bottle, a feature that I miss very much from my old amazon.com laptop bag.

At least in Dubai (Ibn Battuta Mall, China section) the Crumpler was sold at the Apple Store as an accessory and there was a wide range of other bags available as well.


Hope this helps 🙂

MacBook Pro 2 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I like the look and design of the Crippy Duck/Luncheon Crumpler bag and i may be purchasing one very soon myself for my MBP. This bag does look casual. I was worried about how this bag would fit a MBP so i rang up a Mac store in the UK and they tested it for me with a MBP and I was told that the MBP fit this bag very snugly.

The Double Charge bag by Crumpler also looks very good as well and it is really between this bag and the Crippy duck bag down to which one i get.

I have a Tom Bihn back pack and its the best laptop bag I EVER had. Get the Brain Bag, Monolith for the laptop, Freudian Slip for documents and also the Snake Charmer for cables.

You will be happy - they are real quality products....

I came so very close to buying the Brain Bag and the extras - I just suddenly had a panic attack thinking that it wouldn't hold all the 'just-in-case' I have to do without luggage for a day (when I pack all the small items to keep me clean and fresh).

There are so many features that I liked on that pack, however, that I might just pick one up (with all the mod cons you mentioned) as the downside of the Python is that is if it's not stuffed tight the compression straps don't do much compression - the Bihn bag is built more like a very good backpack that will see you through a week, if needed, or a weekend, comfortably.

Ah, tis the accessories that begin to add up!

This setup http://www.sfbags.com/products/mambocombos/cargosuite.htm from Waterfield Designs is what I just used while traveling this past week. I'm completely satisfied. I was fortunate to save a bundle by catching it on Ebay, but now that I have it I can see it worth the full price.

I carried my MBP, 2 iPods, a digital camera, Apple bluetooth mouse, accesories and cables for all, my boarding pass and more. It was a three hour flight both ways and I was much more prepared to "survive" than Gilligan & the Skipper. The non-traditional design of the case made it less obvious, at least until going through metal detecors. Actually, I could've done fine with just the sleeve.