 "Tragedy. Debacle. The greatest bag ever." | 2009-09-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A37KWI0CFXWO82 |
The MAXXUM from SwissGear by Wenger Computer Backpack in Red.
Yeah, it's a mouthful. But this pack has plenty of room for it all. And it makes shouldering an uncomfortable burden -- well -- comfortable!
How did I come to own such a remarkable portable storage containment unit? It took a tragedy, followed by a debacle, to result in such a fortuitous acquisition. Get uncomfortable, this won't take too long:
Many moons ago, I bought my first laptop. Soon after, I bought my first laptop bag. Even though my first laptop wouldn't actually fit in the padded compartment of that first laptop bag (I had to carry it in the unprotected "book" portion), I really loved that bag. My wife used it for many years and recently I inherited it back (after re-joining the ranks of laptop-owners).
It was a great bag. We buried it out back where we'd planned on laying the dog to rest. But now that we're considering stuffing her instead, it seemed fitting. I mean, that bag was part of the family! As soon as one of the shoulder straps started getting thread-bare, I knew the time was drawing near. It was like seeing arthritis creep up on a beloved pet. One of the double-zippers went next, like a liver failing. It was just the track at first, which could be worked around, but the stitching soon followed. Too many systems were giving out at once to consider repairing the thing. It would have taken more money to give it another healthy year and my wife consoled me. "We're still young," she said. "We can get another."
That was the tragedy. Here comes the debacle: I went to Walmart for my new bag. Now, I don't want to start a political debate, which shopping at Walmart inevitably leads to for some reason, but unlike the people that hate Walmart, I can't afford to shop anywhere else. Actually, that's inaccurate. The truth is: I can't afford to shop. Period. So doing it at Walmart seems like the least financially ruinous mistake.
I'm in the computer section of Walmart and there's a great selection of three computer bags. Excellent. No time wasted maximizing, I grab the only one meant to wear on your back, which was the only feature I desired, and I really liked seeing the price. The thing was under $30. Recently "Rolled Back," if you can believe it.
The debacle came at the register, when the thing rang up for just over $50. I felt trapped. The lady was looking at me, palm up, and expecting payment. I woulda felt dumb saying, "Uh, I don't have that kinda money." To which she would reply, "Well then, why'd you pick it out?" And my retort would be, "Dave in electronics misshelved it." But I'm a martyr. I don't want Dave in trouble, so I gave her the plastic and winced as it actually went through. (stupid credit card companies, they never reject you when you really need it)
The entire drive home, I shot glances at the stupid over-priced backpack. I was steamed. The thing was made by HP, which I liked at first because my laptop was made by HP (and cost about the same amount!). Now, though, I saw it as expensive advertisement. "I'll be damned," I thought, planning on cutting that patch off as soon as I got home. Then I saw the tag hanging off a strap and realized: Walmart has a great return policy. Let's go home and do some comparison shopping.
Now that my budget for a bag had doubled, I had some room to work with. I found, on Amazon, the MAXXUM from SwissGear by Wegner Computer Backpack in Red. (I looked at the one in blue, but it was $10 more! I suppose I have the decline of the Republican party to thank!).
For less money (but more than I had originally planned on spending) I bought the best bag I have ever owned. Ever. Even my wife is jealous (and eying a blue one). The bag has an external compartment for books so you can grab your reading material without messing with zippers. It has lots of pouches, great access to the front "pen" spot, zippers on the sides and elasti-thingies for water bottles. Up top, there's a shallow pouch with a zipper that serves as my "man purse." You can put an MP3 player in there (for those of you that own one) and there's a hole to bring the earbuds through.
The best part is the straps and padded back. This thing is COMFORTABLE. It just jounces along happily, even with a heavy load. And it looks sexy, did I mention that? I felt smart and attractive in this thing. I wore it across a college campus yesterday (for testing purposes) and it made me feel like going into a class. Any class. And learning something.
I swear to the gods of consumerism, this bag makes me want to go back to school. That's how unbelievably, flankin', nebularly awesome it is.
So, if you have a bag that's pushing 80 in bag-years. If it's slouching or riding to one side or has a zipper jumping the tracks. Do yourself a favor. For less than $50 you can own the greatest laptop bag ever made. Get yourself a MAXXUM by SwissGear from Wenger Computer Backpack.
In red.
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| "Swissgear/Wenger Computer Laptop Backpack (Red): One Very Fine Product!" | 2009-08-26 |
| - Reviewed By 123infinity |
I have just purchased this Swissgear Wenger Maxxum model (available in red, in blue and in gray {but not currently available in gray} currently available at $ 48.49 shipped) as well as the Swissgear SA9735 backpack (Royal blue at $34.95 shipped and now $79.95(!) and also produced in Gray/black, but not currently available) and finally the SA9715 (Black/gray and also available in several other color combinations, but with the same overall design at $34.95 shipped and now $69.95!). By far the Maxxum is the superior backpack of these three computer laptop/notebook bags for protection of your valuable laptop computer which is after all the primary purpose of these items, but each of the other two bags also have their advantages too.
SA9715 (fits MOST 15.4 inch laptops)- Good light and long bag (~3 lbs), with an ok carrying handle and with only limited storage in two large bins (one for the laptop with velcro seals which was not a lot of protection in my opinion- you would probably benefit from a neoprene computer sleeve for better overall protection). Carrying heavy loads was far better for me with this bag than with the SA9735 discussed below even without a chest or hip belt. It doesn't stand vertically very well for packing purposes however.
SA9735 (fits MOST 15.4 inch laptops)- A better bag (~4 lbs), with a good carrying handle and with only one additional large zippered storage area, but with a better plastic snap for improved securing of your laptop). Carrying a lot of weight was definitely an issue for me with this bag however even with its 22+ pockets, but no chest or hip belt- contrary to the picture for the Maxxum/Synergy/Pegasus style laptop put there incorrectly by a laptop purchaser on Amazon! It also has some difficulty standing vertically when packed.
Swissgear Wenger Maxxum (fits MOST 15.4 inch laptops)- The very very best of these three bags by far (4 lbs, 3 ounces), but heavier/heftier. but with a very strong reinforced carrying handle placed centrally at the top of the bag for balance (and a trolley handle too at the very back of the top of the bag to boot!) and a fine heavy plastic support for your laptop (and their Comp-U-Flex support system for keeping a laptop off the bottom of the bag when it is put down or even when carried) and better placement of the computer away from your back with better back support too for carrying very heavy loads. It is quite heavy to lift, but very light to carry in my opinion. It does come with a chest belt (but not with a hip belt however) that is not placed low enough on the carrying supports, but at least the tension imposed on your chest can be readily adjusted. It has a fine base stabilizing platform and easily stands to be packed too. It also has a very large central zipped pocket, an ipod/mp3/mp4/radio pouch (zippered) and an no-zipper Kangaroo pouch for rapid storage and removal of a camera, a jacket, etc. and almost anything else that you might want in a computer laptop backpack.
Someone however desperately needs to organize all of these Swissgear products by their SA number and not by their color because you simply can't rely on either the selling price or on the MSRP (price as suggested from the manufacturer) as an indicator for the best quality bags available and for what specific purpose they are needed (size of the laptop that will definitely fit in each bag, waterproof ability, durability, dimensions of the bag itself (L X W X H), belt supports, colors available, etc.). In addition, a number of customers have posted incorrect and multiple photos with these bags which makes it equally tough to make a good decision without reading a very large number of detailed reviews for the same bag, but available only in different colors and thus which are listed in multiple and quite separate reviews! Some of these listings do not always come up in Amazon's search engine each time either depending on their current availability (by color again!) from the manufacturer and their relative sales ranking which can change hourly!
For example by reading and comparing information on Amazon with the Wengerna website you will find that the only major difference of the Maxxum as compared to the Synergy backpack model is an extra volume of 18" by 1 " and of course slightly different pocket dimensions and overall shape designs. Someone (at Swissgear/Wenger?) definitely needs to rank all these Swissgear backpack models systematically with their properties and a correct photo so that the buying public can make more informed choices without having to buy 3 bags to find one that will do the job that you want done!
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| "The perfect student backpack" | 2009-07-18 |
| - Reviewed By toypup2 |
This is a beautiful backpack. It is quality to the core. The stitching is finished inside and out. The zippers are heavy duty. The padding is thick and soft on the shoulders and the back. There are compartments everywhere for the laptop, the IPod, water bottles and anything else you can think of. There is one large outer pocket that is open on top , tied down with straps, that is useful if you want to place something within easy access. The smaller outer compartment has pockets for pens and calculators or other knickknacks. There's even a pocket on the strap for a cell phone.
It is a hefty size even when empty, but my 8 year-old son fell in love with it. He carried it full of gear when we were on a trip all the way through several large airports and he didn't complain. I've tried it myself and it is quite comfortable. The straps adjust easily and the padding is well-placed. It's the perfect backpack! |
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| "Great product, shipped quickly!" | 2009-05-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1HCHN9AEDLL0N |
This is a terrific back pack for me. I spent a long time evaluating my options and Wenger was a stand out winner. This specific design is perfect for me with its gigantic capacity and multiple compartments.
I especially love the center top shallow compartment specifically designed to hold things like a cell phone, or change purse.
This bag is the most popular brand of back pack at MIT, and these kids tend to have high engineering standards. |
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| "Best backpack I've ever owned." | 2009-05-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1P62JPY08DWZ6 |
| I've had this back pack for a few years. I use it to bring my gear to work or carry my laptop when I travel. It's held up really well and I can't think of getting any other kind of bag to replace it. I might hold out for a sale, but my current bag is on it's last legs and the shock absorber straps are starting to ware out (you really notice the difference when they stop working). I have to admit, I've abused this bag and its still held up over the years. I also hate to get a new one and take old yeller here to the shed to put it out of it's misery. Maybe I can fix it. |
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 "Durable backpack, but padding ruined my shirts!" | 2009-05-03 |
| - Reviewed By j_sant |
I have owned this backpack for 1 year now. I bought it to carry heavy school books and my 15.4" Dell laptop. It is definitely the nicest laptop backpack I have owned.
Pros:
- Strong, durable construction.
- multiple pockets to hold everything imaginable.
- side pocket mesh holds my water bottle.
- Top pocket is small and perfect for a wallet.
Cons:
- I'm a 5'1 woman and this backpack can be incredibly heavy at times. It feels bulky even when completely empty.
(Wenger website says it weighs 4 lbs. 3 oz. empty. http://www.wengerna.com/maxxumm-ga-7303-06)
- The mesh padding on the bottom of the back literally "pills" my t-shirts! What do I mean by that? Well, the padding is made of a mesh fabric that has numerous "breathable" holes. However, as the bottom part of the mesh constantly rubs against the back of your shirt, it starts to wear away the cotton, and it pills into little lint bumps! It took me months to find out it was the backpack that was RUINING my cotton shirts! My shirts where the bottom backpack touches look like an old, lint sock!
If I could, I'd return this but it's too late now.
Do yourself a favor and if you can, walk into a store and actually try these laptop backpacks on yourself to see if they fit you. Some are much too large for certain body frames.
And DON'T buy this one if you don't want your shirts looking haggard! |
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