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(More customer reviews)When TSA announced guidelines for laptop cases that allowed passengers to pass through the security checkpoint without unloading their laptops - let's face it, we all rejoiced. The most common result of those guidelines has been the neoprene laptop sleeve, which still doesn't act as a carry-on, but rather a "skin" for your laptop to keep it from bumping around and getting jostled too much. So in that scenario, you'd probably still have a carry-on bag in addition to your laptop sleeve. If you don't... well then you probably don't need to be looking at a laptop bag anyhow.
Unfortunately this is "Generation #1" of these security laptop bags, so there are still quite a few things getting kinked out. Not to mention the cost factor of having the newest, shiniest thing on the market. This Case Logic CLCS-116 MSRPs for $100 - is it worth it compared to a $40 bag where you have to take out your laptop and put it into a plastic bin?
Pros:
- Non-laptop half of the bag has lots of good segmented and non-segmented compartments. Good for holding gadgets like Blackberries, phones, MP3 players, power cords, pens, books, etc...
- Small semi-hidden "wallet" hole for hiding cash.
- Nylon close and rough woven mesh for handling the day-to-day stresses of lugging around a bag.
- Zipper sliders are metal, not plastic (a big plus in my book). Zipper teeth are mostly plastic with the exception of the front zipper which is metal. All zippers on my bag pulled nice and smooth.
- Holds my 15.4" laptop like a champ - lots of padding, plenty of room.
- Put my Inspiron 1720 17" laptop in, just to see if it'd fit. "Kind of" would be a good description - the laptop fit, but only because I removed the battery (Dell laptops have gone to a configuration where the battery hangs off the back end). The 17" laptop is pushing at the seams of the compartment, so not a whole lot of padding left at the sides. Not bad for a bag that advertises itself as a 16" laptop bag.
Cons:
- No headphones hole - thought that was odd for Case Logic.
- Very little padding in non-laptop half of the case - careful with your gadgets!
- None of the compartments allows you to open 180 degrees (other than the security zipper, of course); most of the zippers only run halfway down allowing "fish mouth" access.
- Sort of heavy - at 4lbs, the weight will add up quick on your shoulders. It's not as massive as some of the other laptop bags made of all leather and the like, but it's not a featherweight either.
- No laptop strap to secure laptop. So if you're putting a netbook or even a 15.4" notebook in that half of the case, there's no way to hold it in place.
- No expansion options - this is not a zip-to-expand type bag, so if you generally take a lot of things in your carry-on, this may not be the right choice for you. The non-laptop portion of the bag is made for mostly flat items - books, paper, folders, etc.
Conclusion:
All in all this isn't a bad stab at the quickly growing "Security friendly laptop bag" market. If you travel to and from the various airports as part of your life, then having something like this might well justify its cost. However if you're just looking for a laptop bag on the off chance you might take a flight to see relatives every six months or so, then you're better off buying a cheaper (probably more functional) laptop bag, and just grabbing a neoprene slip cover for your laptop when you finally do go to the airport. For the "Security Friendly" side of the house, I'd really like to see this bag get a little lighter (better materials) and a little more functional (fully opening compartments).
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