Wenger Computer Backpack - Red

I got this bag right after finishing school in Dec. Since I graduated I do not need to take a bag with me as much as I did when I was a student, so I haven't used it a lot. I read about people having trouble with their 15" laptops not fitting, I wasn't worried about mine fitting cause I got a 12" laptop, but I tried my parents 15" Fujitsu to see how it fit. Its a pretty thick computer. It was very very tight. Maybe it would stretch out the pocket a bit over time, but it was a real pain to get it in and out. The tags on the bag do say fits MOST 15" laptops.

I came across this bag at Best Buy. Before I saw it I had been planning on getting a Lowepro laptop and camera backpack, since I have one Lowepro camera backpack which I mostly like. Problem with the Lowepro bags were that I couldn't find them in any stores to look at, and the two models I was looking at online were $150-190, and I didn't even really like them that much. Also I don't need to take my camera gear with me all the time, only when taking trips. Anyway, this bag looked well made and it was only around $50. After spending some time online and in stores looking at bags while I waited for my computer to arrive I decided on this one.

I had worried a little about how to pack all my camera gear if I have this bag when I travel, I didn't want to have to take this bag and a camera bag. But as it turns out, the big compartment in this bag is big enough to hold the padded insert from my Lowepro Rover AW camera backpack.

Pros:

Lots of pockets, lots of space.

Mesh pockets on the side are good for drinks.

Seems well made, but I haven't really put it to the test yet, and I haven't owned it long enough to see how it will hold up over time.

No waist belt. (some might consider that a con...)

Stands up by its self.

Compression straps (I think they're called) on the sides.

Cons:

All my complaints seem to be in one compartment. In one of the compartments on the front, which has slots for various small items, there are no pen slots. I really like pen slots. I put my pens and pencils in one of the wider pockets, but if the bag gets turned upside down they all fall out.

Same compartment: all the wider pockets are too narrow for anything I want to put in them, such as business card case, electronic dictionary, etc. It could just be me that thinks they are too narrow, but I think other people will feel the same way.

Choice of colors. I read on Amazon that the gray model is more like silver, so I got red. I would have preferred all black.

Could use some more padding at the top of the computer compartment.

These things I listed as cons are really minor though. Just the things that could have made it an absolutely perfect bag.

I am sure I will have more to say about this bag once I get to take it on a trip.

UPDATE 3/11/08 I have had the bag for about a year now. Its held up well, but it doesn't see daily use. I took it on one trip to Korea and Japan. I like the big open pocket on the front of the bag. Its good for holding things you want easy access to. It looks like the bag is available in blue now. Silver and red were the only choices when I bought it last year. My other complains when I first wrote the review are still the same. Also, the bag no longer stands up by its self as well as it did when it was new. I still really like the bag.

This is an excellent backback. I did a lot of research on what I needed in a laptop tote. I wasn't sure about how it would handle as I traveled through the airports. It handled extremely well as I found out.

The great points:

1) Incredible amount of room with lots of pockets.

2) A separate compartment for the laptop which makes it easier to pull the laptop out while going through security. The strap holding the laptop in is also very easy to open and it keeps the laptop from moving around.

3) The open pocket so that you can stuff itinieries and paperbacks in there as you get on and off the plane.

4) The shoulder straps are easily adjustable and very comfortable.

5) The padding is also very comfortable, I sometimes forget that I have it on.

6) Cool little pocket atop the pack for MP3 players or for wallets.

7) Hard core handle up top for easy and confident transfer.

Not so cool:

1) The small doodad bag up front where you are supposed to stash keys, cell phones, pens and pencils does not have a double zipper so it can easily be wide open without you knowing.

2) The second handle on top of the pack is skimpy and makes no sense.

Overall, I love it and I enjoy using it as I travel about. The pack is very well designed and holds some very pleasant and surprising features.

Buy Wenger Computer Backpack - Red Now

I wanted to follow up the reviewer that said a 15.4" computer will not fit in this pack. Because of this review, I took my HP dv5000, 15.4" notebook to Best Buy to see if this backpack would be suitable for me. My computer fit in it just fine. Perhaps Wenger has made adjustments to the design, perhaps the reviewer got a lemon, or perhaps not all 15.4" screeened laptops are within the tolerances that Wenger desgined for. Regardless my 15.4" computer fit in this pack just fine and I will be buying it.

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I absolutely LOVE THIS BACKPACK!!! In the months it took me to find this product I probably tried every other brand of backpack on the market and none of them come close to the comfort, capacity and styling of this bag. It is well built. I fly from Fl to Ca frequently and carry a Fujitsu T4020 laptop, along with literally a ton of books. With my previous bags my back would ache under the weight, but with this one I hardly feel like I have it on. It fits perfectly under my seat even on the small commuter plane. I particularly like the padded compartment (intended for an ipod or CD player) which I use for my digital voice recorders and camera. I also like the way the padding supports the weight yet still allows for the air to circulate -an important factor for those living in hot climates to consider.

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After wearing a pack for most of my adult life (I'm U.S. Marine), I've searched for the best civilian pack to carry the daily stuff in for day trips. This is by far the best design I've seen yet. I've tried many cheap one, ones that I've rebuild, even old military packs. All either lacked quality of construction or were uncomfortable to wear. Old Military packs are nice but lack style and they are green. No pack seems perfect but this is as close as I've found in a 20 year search. Good points are the padding, the design of the inside pockets and the straps. The only weak spot is the front zipper around the top front pouch.

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