Swiss Gear SA1923 Black TSA Friendly ScanSmart Laptop Backpack - Fits Most 15 Inch Laptops and Tablets

My husband loves this backpack!

Overall I really like this bag, and would recommend for purchase, as its good value for the price. Some things to be aware of however: 1. Large gromets would let water into the two side pockets if it rained on the bag, or it got splashed. I would have liked to see better weather proofing. 2. The main stuff pocket has a rather small opening at the top. Not a big deal, but I like a full width opening at the top. 3. The pocket separators in the main stuff pocket dont attach to the bottom of the bag, which is fine for papers/folders, etc... but if I put something small in the front of this pocket, it ends up shifting back and lying under the separator pockets. I have to do more hunting than is necessary for these items when they do shift (headphones, or small notebook, etc...) 4. being left handed, I am somewhat miffed that the laptop section only opens on the right hand side, but I do like the side opening pocket and the padding.

After an exhaustive search of backpacks online and in-stores, I ended up buying this one for school. It looks a bit bulkier than expected-but Im not complaining. For those of you wondering about how the backpack will look like on you and need a reference on height, I am 55. This backpack has no problem fitting in my 17 MacBook Pro (including its Vera Bradley Case) in the laptop compartment. On days I dont bring my laptop, I store a 1 inch binder in the laptop compartment. It also has an additional pouch across from the compartment for storing a tablet in which I use to store 3 or 4 regular sized folders. The main compartment of the of the bag can be used to store up to at least 4 binders and a textbook. For those of you who dont have a laptop, you can also store 2 more binders in the laptop compartment. Or, you can store a 2 inch binder, two 1 inch binders 1-5 folders, and still have room for a book. The main compartment of the bag also has an attached mesh zipper pocket across from it that can be used to store your chargers and what not. (Ive also packed the bag varying ways of how to hold your supplies for those of you who were wondering about storage.) I use the side compartments hold my glasses while I use the other to hold a hairbrush. I would prefer the straps to have a bit more support like the Jansport bags have - other than that, I have no complaints :)

This is my second SwissGear laptop bag. The first was purchased locally and lasted about 4 years before the stitching on one of the straps started coming off. I was able to limp along with it that way for a while, but needed to get another before the strap let go. Am hoping that this one gives me some more time. So far Im liking the bag. Not quite as big as my old bag (they seem to be similar size on the outside, so I assume they are comparable models) but this seems to be more an issue of how the pocket zippers run and not an overall size difference. The large compartment zipper makes a narrower opening than Im used to so its difficult to get as much into the pocket due to the opening. Seems to be good quality and should last for a few years. This bag goes everywhere with me...to work every day and on every trip I take.

This is my second backpack like this. The first was stolen out of our rental car. It has so many pockets and is great for travel. It fits under the seat in front of you in airplanes. I usually haul my camera, iPad, one or two lenses and many other necessities needed on a trip. Side pockets hold a water bottle Little pockets inside are good for headphones, medicine, change. Use front pocket for items needed immediately such as wallet and passport. There is a separate zippered area for your laptop and you can throw a lightweight jacket in there too. It has traveled to Australia, London and Paris and it looks brand new still. The biggest drawback about this backpack is the weight. I dont know how much it weighs, but its pretty heavy.

I purchased this bag once I started traveling for work. I have a HP ZBook - Bang & Olufsen computer (massive piece of equipment) and it fits snug. Ive used it for carrying files to and from our different locations in the US and it has several compartments that are accessible and convenient to have. Ive even used this for personal travels and was impressed by the durability, comfortability and capacity. Ive used it daily for over a year and I see no signs of wear. The zippers are all in the same condition as when I bought it. Its swiss-made! I would recommend this over other back packs. Note: Ive never actually tried to use the TSA friendly ScanSmart feature I always just take it out and put it into a separate bin but I might try it next time if I have some time!

Nice quality and functional as well. Could use more padding in the laptop compartment - so you have to carefully drop it when you put it down. Also: front department kind of unstable when open and things can fall out when the zipper is not closed. Same for the other zippers: if they are not closed properly , things can fall out. Once you know the shortcomings you can adjust your behavior and it is just fine - for the money. Update December 3rd One the back straps is starting to separate..I am carrying the equivalent of 2 laptops..probably not made for the weight..downgraded to 3 starts... Update Feb 2013 Need to replace it soon...doesnt last.. June 2013 - UPDATE !! Free Replacement with Redesigned Version by SwissGear They just send a replacement. I am pretty sure that they redesigned the area around the straps and got rid of the elastic material. That should hold much more weight than before. I previously replaced it with a different brand for 100 USD..still like this one better. Thanks SwissGear ! Greast deal for the money !

Been very happy with this bag. its a good size for a laptop computer, and has a nice padded compartment against your back for carrying the computer. I find the side-opening zipper of the computer compartment convenient and easy for slipping my iBook in and out. There is enough space in the other compartments to store cord/charger, thumb drives, and assorted things like pens and notebook. I especially like the sturdy top handle for carrying the bag in hand, rather than on my back. The one complaint I have about carrying it this way, however, is the length of the straps. The adjustment straps for the shoulders are long enough that when I carry the bag using the handle, they drag on the ground. There is no place to secure them other than maybe knotting them around each other. But in that case, you cant really fling the bag over the shoulder. The bag is a little bit on the heavy side - but this is a byproduct of the sturdy build. The zippers have functioned well, and overall, the bag is comfortable on the back, or in hand. I feel that the computer is protected and secure. And it doesnt really look like anything other than a knapsack, so presumably, not a target for would-be thieves. Like the size. Big enough to carry the stuff I carry when carrying my laptop, and has enough space to bring along other necessities when traveling on a plane as a small carry-on. But not so big that it becomes cumbersome.

The backpack is nice and seems very well made, but the focus is clearly on the laptop compartment. The compartment for books and other gear seems more like an afterthought. Padding is nice, and there are two drink holders on the sides, but I find that the drinks often pop out of the holders if you throw you backpack onto the passenger seat of your car. The main compartment looks small, but so far Ive been able to fit a decent amount of gear in there, in addition to the laptop. I havent tried the smart scan feature yet, but Ill report back when I do. I only wish there were more small pockets for putting things like your headphones, micro USB charge cable, mini display port adapters and other wires to keep them separate. Not to mention holders for pens and pencils. As is, I tend to put them all in one compartment and when I go to take them out, the wires are all tangled. One thing I have liked so far is that it includes sleeves in the main compartment for keeping individual books, folders, envelopes, and papers separated. That way, you can remove and reinsert individual items without the risk of accidentally crushing a report that was already in your bag when you go to stuff something new in there. Also, the side pocket makes it easy to insert and remove your laptop without disturbing the other contents. Overall, it has a few weaknesses, but its suited my purposes well, which is primarily toting my laptop back and forth to work, and in the future taking it on travel.

I purchased this backpack to replace my other Swiss Gear laptop backpack - NOT because it was broken or anything was wrong with it but because my new laptop wouldnt fit in my old bag. I needed a bag large enough to hold my new 17 laptop. This was no small feat to accomplish! Knowing how well made my Swiss Gear laptop backpack was, I searched for a a new backpack from them that would be large enough to hold the larger laptop while still providing plenty of pockets and storage space for other items. I am not disappointed in the least. As always, the product is made to the highest standard of quality. My laptop fits beautifully in a padded pocket; there is plenty of storage space for paper files, pens, MP3 player, calculator, e-reader, whatever! The straps are adjustable and padded as well. And since I have purchased my backpack, I know at least five other people who have purchased this same model and are equally as thrilled with their choice as I am.