Samsonite Tectonic Large Backpack

This is a fabulous backpack which I got, assuming it would fit my 17" Gateway Laptop because of it's dimensions. At first. it was a "no-go" fitting my laptop in it. Then I found if I took off the slightly protruding battery pack, I could barely zipper the computer into it's compartment. After taking it on a trip, it must have stretched the compartment a bit and now the zipper closes without a serous struggle. The zipper is still very tight against the laptop at the top corners and would probably either fail or not protect the laptop well if you whacked something at that relatively unlikely place.

As soon as you get the backpack, there is a tag on it that says it is for laptops up to 16" and that is what I would recommend.

There are so many pockets in this thing that you may find you forgot where you put each gizmo unless you use it a lot. Many of the pockets are zippered. Some of the critical zippers are " self-healing", another good thing. There are nice back comfort pads in the right places.

In short, it is an amazing backpack and for that reason, I will not deduct a star in spite of the Amazon person that did not adequately describe it.

good quality

lots of compartments

large is really large (I would choose medium one I guess)

only negative thing is bottom side of laptop compartment is very thin.

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I replaced an old, worn-out, standard Jansport backpack with this one. So this is a huge upgrade for me.

I've only worn the backpack a couple times and I already like it a lot. It's a BEAST. It accommodates my Sony VAIO laptop (16.4") perfectly well, even with the large battery that protrudes from the bottom a couple of inches. PLENTY of padding in the laptop compartment as well as on the outside that rests against your back. The straps are rather large but comfortable. I can barely feel the weight of the bag when I put it on.

There are many pockets and pouches inside and outside of the bag. I can fit a small umbrella perfectly in one of the side pockets. The small pocket in the front (at the bottom) is highly padded... a cell phone would work nicely in there.

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My wife and I are in Europe studying abroad for a year. Before we left, we decided to purchase new backpacks. I've always had Samsonite so I purchased the Large Samsonite Tectonic and my wife likes Swiss Gear, so she got their Maxxum one.

Maxxum Swiss Gear by Wenger Notebook Backpack Blue

We've had them now for about 3 months of light/medium traveling, and I wish I would have gone with the Maxxum. This Samsonite backpack is just not the quality I expected.

The first problem is that the shoulder strap threading has unraveled, thus leaving about a 4-inch hole where you can see the two foam pads in it. After three months of not even continuous use, I was surprised by this rip. The Maxxum's shoulder pads aren't as padded but they are staying together.

The other problem is that the zippers do not stay together well (especially to the main compartment). The teeth are large and I'd guess that about 4 or 5 times now, my main compartment has fallen open while I am walking and some of my stuff spills out. The fix for this is to make sure the zippers are together on one of the sides, where they seem to not want to pull apart. The Maxxum has tighter teeth, and feel more stable.

I give this backpack 3 starts because it is a good fit with my 13-inch laptop and I like the overall padding comfort, pocket layout, and design. Yet, there are just a couple of small annoying things (like having to sew a shoulder pad and zip up on the side) that prevent it from scoring better. The Samsonite website says "This bag can take it. Samsonite tough." and I was hoping for a little more durable backpack.

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Make sure you pick the 17" option if your laptop is that size or it won't fit like the others here are saying. I did pick that option and have NEVER been disappointed for one, single, second. The over-sized zippers are tough-as-nails, the material of the pack itself is an impenetrable rugged gortex-like substance that is water-proof (I've had it in the rain with Notebook in it!!), and simply cannot be beat. The many, many pockets are useful for your average student (college or not--in my case grad school). The adjustable straps are well, WELL cushioned beyond any other pack I've ever seen, the back-side cushions are all about a full inch thick of comfortable padding that just cannot tear because they are covered in the same tough pack material the rest of it is in. The handle at the top lets you carry in-hand if you want to give your shoulders a break and that is also made of that tough, gortex-like material and its about 2 inches thick! It has two primary compartments--one for books, etc., and the other for your laptop, and the Laptop area has enough room for my 17" HP monster (17" screen; 1 TB HD). The pockets on either side are large enough for 20 oz sodas (which I take with me to the library), and again, even if they spill or leak, the material does not allow it to seep into the pack, keeping your items and Laptop dry.

This pack is the ultimate for your money. Now be careful, sears sells these for $200 bucks, and that's a rip off. I got mine for about $50 here and have never been happier for having spent it. There is just simply nothing bad to say--its tough, plenty of room, comfortable, affordable, great design, if you carry any laptop around you simply need this pack. Period.