Product Description:
Caselogic introduces the PNM-217 17-Inch Laptop Messenger Bag. Professionally-oriented functionality and materials with relaxed styling. Padded laptop compartment fits all laptops up to 17-Inch. Top-load design provides laptop access without lifting the flap of the case. Secure and protected storage for valuable electronics. Roomy bulk storage and accessory compartment. Features file pocket inside top-load laptop compartment and padded shoulder strap. Durable 1680d nylon combined with robust twill body fabric. 25 Year limited Warranty!
Product Details:
- Convenient, top-load access to a quilted laptop compartment suited for most laptops with a 15-17.3 inch screen. Fits devices up to 16.1' x 12.2' x 1.8'
- Roomy storage underneath flap for files, power brick and other bulk storage needs. An additional zippered compartment holds a portable mouse, iPod, cell phone, pens and other small essentials
- Designated USB drive pocket
- Additional features include a paddle shoulder strap, top carry handles and a luggage pass through on the back panel to attach this bag onto your rolling luggage
- Speed pocket for easy access to phone or keys
Customer Reviews:
A nice enough bag, but overpriced given several serious design flaws By Brian Connors
Now the first thing I need to say is that at least as far as I'm concerned, the standard by which laptop bags should be judged is the Targus OCN1; it's a simple but flexible design that can manage anything from an 11in netbook all the way up to a widescreen 15in MacBook Pro. Although a little small for my taste, the Caselogic PNM-214 measures up to it for the most part; I've been carrying it around for a couple of weeks now. I like some of its design flourishes -- the top-access compartment, for example, is well-padded and split in two to hold cords and the like, and the front pocket is just big enough to comfortably handle standard optical media (I keep my system discs in there). A feature I especially like is the MOLLE-like web loop attachment points on the front and back of the bag; you can easily attach things like camera pouches, or even expand the bag by adding, say, a military surplus map pouch or the like. The styling appears geared towards high school and college students (I guess that's what "a hint of attitude" is supposed to mean in the ad copy), with the front panel being made out of a stiffer nylon than the rest of the bag's construction.
Except... it's got a few flaws. The first is a major facepalm decision -- the front compartment, the one you might put documents or extra cables in, is closed with a magnetic clasp, and a rather weak one at that. In an era where magnetic latches on laptops are somewhat common and almost all exchange media is optical or flash memory, this is not necessarily going to be an issue, but if you carry around a floppy or Zip drive or any other kind of magnetic media, this is a nonnegotiable dealbreaker. Another issue that's more an annoyance than anything else: the total, unfolded length shoulder strap is six inches to a foot too short; I'm 5'8", and I can just about stretch it out to a length that's comfortable for carrying cross-shoulder (for security reasons, as anyone carrying expensive gear through a crowded area should do), and someone significantly taller than me will find the bag crawling up their armpit even at maximum extension. Worse, unlike even Targus' cheapest bags, the shoulder strap is not removable -- the non-extending end is sewn directly into the bag's structure, meaning you're pretty much stuck with it.
Overall, this bag could have been a five-star product -- a longer, removable strap and a snap or velcro closure rather than the magnetic clasp would both have been trivial. It certainly isn't worth the MSRP, and I question whether it's even worth the discounted Amazon price. It's a damn shame -- it's otherwise a stylish, solid product.
UPDATE 12/10: Six months later and I'm still using the bag despite the fact that I stand behind what I said about its limitations. Judge that however you will.Caselogic Messenger Bag Review - Meh By H. J. Spivack
I got my Caselogic Messenger bag in the mail from Amazon yesterday. Now, I haven't carried a ton of books, papers and laptop around in it for months on end yet, but once I got it, I'm not likely to. I've owned some Caselogic products in the past, mostly CD books and DVD binders. They've always been functional if not aesthetically pleasing. They've also held up over time. I have four big Caselogic books that house my software and DVDs and they have yet to fail me after 10 years of use.
When I saw the Caselogic Messenger bag, I figured it would be good for toting my 'stuff' back and forth to worth everyday. It looked great in the picture (currently on the right side of my screen), a good and functional piece of corporate accessory. All I need it to do is look good on my arm and carry all that 'stuff.'
Unfortunately, the bag itself seems a little flimsy. The material, which looks like either neoprene (the pockets are definitely neoprene) or some kind of heavy duty cloth or canvas. I'm not sure what most of the bag is made out of, but I don't think I can really bring it to work. There are some deep pockets in the bag and it will fit a 17" laptop, but I don't believe it will hold up to much abuse. Some of the stitches already looked a little loose and, wierdly, there is only one handle in the top of the bag. That last one is strange because there doesn't seem to be a way to keep the bag steady. Usually, there's two handles, stitched to either side of the bag. On this one, its one handle stitched to one side and that's it.
Don't get me wrong, its not awful. If you're a student or a light traveler (I'm neither) you would probably do fine with this at least for a while. Its now become a book bag for my son. But for the professional businessman, not so much. That's a shame. Now I know what their ad copy means by 'professionally oriented.' Professional probably won't be interested.Perfect for my netbook By Morley Dotes
My Dell fits easily in this bag. It is light and nicely padded. I wouldn't let a car run over it, but it feels like the padding is thick enough to save you if you drop it from hip length, though I'm not going to try it ;-). It should certainly protect your netbook if it gets knocked around, especially in a subway, etc. I was very surprised with all of the pockets, especially the one on the flap, it's much larger than I expected and can hold quite a bit. You can easily store an iTouch, camera, batteries, memory cards, documents, and much more. In fact, since most airlines allow you one carry-on AND one personal bag, this can count as a personal bag....and, it is padded so nicely that you can fit it into a carry-on easily enough. The material feels very durable and almost rugged. It is relatively comfortable except the shoulder pad a pretty stiff, and the strap is a little short for me. Nothing terrible, and it would not stop me from buying it, but I wanted to point it out. I am not trying to nit pick, however, I think that it should be noted. I am very happy with it. The Lima Green accent colors are not as bad as I thought they would be and actually do not bother me too much....you get used to it. I probably owuld have preferred black or dark blue, but this is also another minor issue. There are no deal breakers for me here, it is everything I would expect for my netbook and I plan to put it through its paces, as I travel quite a bit, and will update if anything differs from this review. You should note that this is not a weekend bag that also fits a netbook/laptop, rather, it is a netbook bag that has enough room for a few other things. For me, it's perfect!
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