# A good bag for a 17" laptop? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 28, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713 "2010-02-28T01:55:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/1 "2010-02-28T01:55:11Z")
As mentioned in the other thread about 17" laptops, I recently purchased one, and it arrived this week. Yay! However…I now need a bag for it. I have a messenger bag I use for work and whatnot, but it’s not big enough, nor would I want to use it. I don’t really need to bring it to work, besides which I don’t like having laptops in messenger bags…it’s very uncomfortable having the very hard, large laptop pressed up against my hip. I much prefer just having it in a bag and carrying it in my hand. So that being said…is there any bag dopers prefer? I was looking a bit at Amazon and found [this](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XCV7FW/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=139NT6F1WB4YVBGFP7VG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846) and [this.](http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-VNC-17-17-inch-Slimline/dp/B000EIXX52/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1267321818&sr=8-1) I know Caselogic makes fairly good stuff…not top of the line, but fairly durable, though some reviews say that Targus one is better. The other issue (if it matters) is my laptop is a 17" widescreen…one of the reviewers for the Targus bag says the _internal_ dimensions are only 17x13.5x2…the full width of my laptop is about 17.5" when you include the area around the screen, so would it even fit? I’m willing to consider just buying a laptop sleeve, so long as it had handles, but I do like having at least a little bit of extra space a bag provides for the AC adapter and mouse (I _despise_ trackpads…I use them if I have to, but if I have enough space to use a mouse, I will.) Most sleeves have, at best, a small outer pocket that looks like it’s barely wide enough for a piece of paper. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/2 "2010-02-28T02:31:27Z")
I have a 17" laptop here. The full width is 15.5" x 11". Are you sure about your dimensions? The bag I got for this one here barely fits it, but the outer pocket holds extras. I added a little more padding to the narrow bottom in the form of a dense foam pad leftover from camping cut to size, because it’s my kid’s and it seemed prudent. I also got a mini-mouse, which we adjusted to fine, but if you have big paws you might not like it. It is nice for travel. I’d advise against a sleeve, personally, because it only takes one accident to ruin it. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/3 "2010-02-28T02:43:49Z")
If you are looking for the ultimate bag [this bad boy](http://www.buy.com/prod/17-gaming-notebook-backpack-carrying-case-by-avenues-wenger/q/loc/16234/212810132.html)is normally $ 120 discounted to $30. Good padding is especially impt for bigger notebooks as they are more vulnerable to damage as they are heavier and inertia (if dropped) will subject them to more force. . ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/4 "2010-02-28T03:09:14Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I have a 17" laptop here. The full width is 15.5" x 11". Are you sure about your dimensions? I guess I wasn’t…I just took a tape measure to it (which I swear I did the first time) and just got a hair over 16" across. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/5 "2010-02-28T03:10:46Z")
> [@astro](#): > > If you are looking for the ultimate bag [this bad boy](http://www.buy.com/prod/17-gaming-notebook-backpack-carrying-case-by-avenues-wenger/q/loc/16234/212810132.html)is normally $ 120 discounted to $30. Sorry, I don’t really want a backpack style one, since there are times I might be carrying this with my backpack (if I travel, I’ll probably use a backpack for a carry on and the laptop bag as my “personal item”) I suppose I could “cut out the middle man” and use this as a backpack _and_ laptop case, but I don’t like the idea of my toiletries being in the same bag as expensive electronics… ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/6 "2010-02-28T03:51:15Z")
I have a [Crumpler](http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/607653-REG/Crumpler_SK_03_11A_Skivvy_Laptop_Case_Large.html) bag. Besides the space for the laptop there’s just one big zippered expandable pocket that holds all my other stuff (mainly my adapter and a tangle of USB and audio cables, sometimes a mouse and external hard drive). The main flap just velcroes shut. A pretty simple affair, overall. It’s held up fine since 2006, no problems. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/7 "2010-02-28T04:00:17Z")
With a width of 17.5", you don’t need a bag, you need a suitcase 😛 ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/8 "2010-02-28T06:13:16Z")
Both bags look nice. The laptop fits in each bag differently, according to the alternate views - I’d probably go to a store and look for them in person to get a better feel for it. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/9 "2010-02-28T19:59:51Z")
I’ve got a 17.5" (just measured it) and I need a bag too. I’ll be watching this thread. The Crumpler is nice but I’m worried about it being a tight fit because mine is a bit over 17". ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/10 "2010-03-01T00:40:16Z")
I just bought **[this](http://www.amazon.com/Targus-CVR217-Neoprene-Notebooks-Black/dp/B00023763Y/ref=pd_cp_e_1)** based on price and reviews. ---
**Author:** ![uncle\_squeegee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b5e925/32.png) [@uncle\_squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uncle_squeegee)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/11 "2010-03-01T02:43:48Z")
I have one of [these](http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0300) for a smaller laptop. [ul] [li]The outer pocket is pretty stretchy so it can accommodate a mouse and a power supply.[/li][li]It fits inside a messenger bag but has handles so I can carry it alone. It can also accommodate a strap.[/li][li]It’s well made and has stood up for 5 years with no noticeable wear.[/li][li]They also make a vertically-oriented [version](http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0390).[/li][/ul] I plan to upgrade and upsize my laptop in the next year or two and will buy a new bag to fit the larger laptop. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/12 "2010-03-01T03:28:30Z")
Take a look at the Cozmo or Cargo from [sfbags](http://sfbags.com/). They are expensive but are very high quality. I have two of their bags and sleeves and won’t look anywhere else for a new bag. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2010, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-bag-for-a-17-laptop/530713/13 "2010-03-01T12:34:40Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > I just bought **[this](http://www.amazon.com/Targus-CVR217-Neoprene-Notebooks-Black/dp/B00023763Y/ref=pd_cp_e_1)** based on price and reviews. That’s what I went with as well! I decided a slimmer “sleeve” type was better, but it still has handles and a small pouch for the AC adapter. The odd thing is I bought it _before_ I saw your post… Now,let’s just hope my laptop fits in it…