Perfectly-sized for 17″ laptops (there’s also a 15″ cut), Saddleback’s $245 bag is made of waterproof, oil-tanned full grain boot leather, padded with neoprene, and comes with a 100 year warranty. There are no breakable parts, either, such as snaps or zippers. The shoulder strap is removable, too, for use as a briefcase.
The outstanding quality here shines off the page (screen?), even without a close look. And there are so many variations: backpacks, messenger bags, pouches. There’s even the lasts-forever suitcase I always wanted, but am too cheap to buy. That said, I can already sense that my better half is going to be complaining soon about this site.
One problem: needs a 13″ edition!
Update: Reader Icey writes: “It’s honestly the best bag I’ve ever owned. I buy laptops based on whether or not they’ll fit in the bag.”
Laptop Case Chestnut with pouch [Saddleback]
I don’t know what to say. Stylish, elegant, funtional. I want one of the messenger bags, but at $329 I am forced to think of all the other things I could buy instead (like beer and gadgets).
To sum up; I want one, but am way too cheep to buy one.
I have the chestnut briefcase as well and the thing is indestructible and indiana jones cool. Also the customer service is superb. Sometimes you can get seconds on their ebay store for quite a bit cheaper, and the flaws are sometimes either unnoticeable or even not really flaws. Mine has some wrinkled leather on the front, and i think it easily looks like it’s supposed to be there.
Potentially dumb question, but I have only recently acquired a laptop, so I have only recently started paying attention to bags like this.
Where do the power brick & cords go? Do you carry them in a separate bag, or leave them behind and be limited to battery life?
There’s an extra pocket for the cord on this one which you can see on the product page’s gallery. It’s a important consideration; space for the brick is one of the signs of a good design on a bag.
Coop’s suggestion is well worth a click and read. Very funny. I also love his page about Blue, his loving dog. It’s a heartfelt screed about a great dog that is at times touching and moving. Then it ends with a wonderful two-liner that lightens the mood right up:
http://store.saddlebackleather.com/37-in-memory-of-blue
Ordinarily, I would think that spending a bunch of money now for a bag that should last the rest of my life would be a good investment. But since I’ve never once in my life actually paid for a laptop bag, it seems like a lousy investment.
Oh well, it’s beautiful. I’m in love. Love doesn’t respond to logic.
The leather looks solid. I’m a trifle surprised, though, to see somebody offering a 100 year warranty on anything with neoprene components.
I figure the neoprene is just a cushion at the bottom, i.e. something that’s either not included in the warranty, or he has a box of a thousand and will just mail you a new one if you need it.
I have one of their briefcases… it’s honestly the best bag I’ve ever owned. I buy laptops based on whether or not they’ll fit in the bag.
The Common Questions page on their website is worth a click.
For example, go here, then click on Common Questions.
http://store.saddlebackleather.com/categories/87-Laptop-Case/products/1684-Leather-Laptop-Case-Dark-Coffee-Brown-with-pouch
Am totally going to buy the large briefcase in chestnut.
Also – you gotta watch the movie describing the sizes of the briefcases.
http://store.saddlebackleather.com/system/uploads/assets/Movies/bag%20sizes%20hd-h.264%20_960.mov
I have the Chestnut Briefcase, myself, and if it weren’t more-or-less indestructible I think I would have loved it to pieces by now.
Cannot recommend too highly!
I also have one of the briefcases, and it has ample room for a laptop with sleeve. Got it new for around $350 on ebay (sale items show up there, not the main website). Beautiful, indestructible, converts to a backpack, plenty of space and pockets, professional enough for work, will last longer than me. Ideal