Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 I love mine--and so does my laptop! October 29, 2008
Dusty White (Currently visiting your planet on a tourist visa)
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
When I was a kid, some luggage company had commercials where they would throw their suitcases out of an airplane and show it landing on the street below, or they would put it in a cage with a gorilla (who for some reason did not like their brand of luggage), who promptly began beating on it (dare I say "savagely"?). Well, that's how I treat my laptop bag. (oops!)
As a working author I am constantly dragging around my laptop everywhere I go. Worse than that, of course I have a neurotic obsession with carting along 80 lbs of research books as well. Of course I like to think I "travel light" (who doesn't?) and so I cram everything I think I may need in ANY emergency into my laptop bag: at least 2-3 hardcover "research" books I can't live without, a copy of each of my two newest books (in case I meet a film director), pens, myPod (yes I call it that), hi-lighters, note paper, chargers for the laptop and both cell phones, old scraps of paper with ideas scribbled on them, headphones, a few napkins (in case of spilled coffee or to scribble on if I run out of paper), book promotion plan printouts, and if there is any room left, my 17" widescreen laptop. Oh! And of course a large format (8.5x11 100-200 page) printed copy of the manuscript I am working on currently.
I have DESTROYED laptop bags, canvas shopping bags, book bags (I just don't like briefcases--ugh!), and even my beloved DreamworksSKG backpack (like I will ever see one of those again!). But this one survives to this day! I l-o-v-e my backpack and if it ever does show signs of wear and tear (it's been 3 years now and the thing still looks new) I will stand by it. I must admit that mine was not on sale. A hundred bucks for a laptop bag gave me pause when I first bought it. I actually fretted around the store for 45 minutes, comparing this bag to that one, suitcases to boxes with handles, steel cases to backpacks. I am thrilled I forked over the cash for mine (which was not on sale).
I have dropped my bag three times on accident, and by sheer sloth (after carting 35 lbs of weight on my shoulder) plopped the bag down thousands of times in coffeehouses, libraries, warehouse floors, on gravel... and the thing just keeps taking my abuse. DON'T BUY A CHEAP BAG for your laptop. The extra padding, reinforced stitches, and numerous pockets are a lifesaver. Consider this a one-time investment. Get the backpack you want, with LOTS of pockets (you will end up using them), generous amounts of padding, and reinforced handles and that rubber grip (see the picture above). Yours may look slightly different, and you may choose a brighter color, but the features I noted will save your laptop and your sanity.
I trust this brand with my most precious belongings: the ideas I have set to paper (er, so to speak). As an author I live to write, and all other things fade into a background of white noise. This makes my laptop pretty much my sole focus in life. This bag protects it, and it doesn't look too shabby either.
Thanks for reading.
Very well made! November 19, 2008
Kotzlady (Alaska)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is the second Swiss Gear pack that I've gotten for my son. He had the first one for a couple of years before he lost it (or it was stolen), he's been without for a few months so I offered to purchase him a new pack from the store and he said "thanks but no thanks" I don't just want any backpack... hmmm, in otherwords, please order me another Swiss Gear backpack... Amazon has the best prices of Swiss Gear hands down and with super saver shipping it can't be beat!
Not too Shabby..... December 27, 2008
Richard L. Mayfield (Alexandria, VA)
This backpack is awesome. More comfort versus my last one. Almost perfect, which is more than I ever expected. Plenty of room, pockets, and padding.
SwissGear is SchoolGear (and you can carry a laptop if you want) January 6, 2009
A. Dent (USA)
From the makers of the Swiss Army knife, you get a solid, utilitarian backpack. You can call it a 'computer backpack', because you can carry a laptop in it. I am writing this review on a Thinkpad T60 and, it's official. The T60 fits inside the laptop sleeve with plenty of room to spare. And it's padded too. And, if you don't feel like carrying your laptop in a backpack, it's okay to use it as a regular backpack. This particular one (my second SwissGear purchase) was for one of my kids because the first one I bought was grabbed by my first born because he was the one who opened the box and it's going to be his SchoolGear. So, let's summarize.
THE GOOD:
- Solid build, pretty close to 'indestructible'.
- Lots, of pockets, and I mean LOTS. I can see why my kids loves this. The more I investigated, the more pockets I found and my kids just counted 22 of them.
- Padded computer sleeve, of course. Seems adequate for most laptops.
- The organizer pocket lets you store pens, a cell phone, money, maps... has many internal pockets where things can be organized.
- Water bottle pocket.
- Sunshades holder.
- Swiss Army knife pocket, of course.
- The shoulder straps are quite comfortable.
- Compression straps allow you to secure items inside.
- Airflow padding on the back for more comfort.
- Cool design, in black, with little Swiss silver crosses over red everywhere.
THE NOT SO GOOD:
Can't think of anything other than, to my surprise, it turns out that it's made in China.
I feel compelled to give it five stars.
Purchased as a gift November 30, 2008
C. Trombly
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This backpack was purchased as a birthday gift - replacing one of the same brand that was 'worn out'. My son was very pleased with it - loved all the compartments, the nice padded area for his laptop, etc. It arrived quickly and was packed well.
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