Brenthaven Pro 15/17 Backpack (2340)

A friend also has the Brenthaven Pro 15-17 bag and he pointed out that there is an extra foam insert in the bottom of the padded compartment. It should be placed over your computer after it's placed in the sleeve. This means that this bag has just as good if not better protection than the previous model when it's used properly.It's important to read Karl Lehenbauer's comments. Like me, he didn't know about placing the extra foam insert above his computer before zipping the bag closed. It's too bad Brenthaven doesn't provide this information with the bag or on their web site.The previous version of this bag deserved five stars. It was a more versatile and easier to use bag. It had more and better placed pockets, plus the padded insert was easily removable and easier to use. The previous bag was also roomier.The previous bag was custom designed for the Apple Ti Powerbook. The pockets were sized to fit a spare battery or two and the power supply. The padded insert was a snug fit for the Powerbook. In spite of Brenthaven's claims on their website, this bag seems to be a generic design marketed to Apple owners.Regarding Brenthaven's service and guarantee...The following comments refer to experience with the previous model of this bag.On my bag one of the plastic clips to hold the free end of the shoulder strap in place broke. Brenthaven sent me a new one, no questions.My friend and I both load our bags up. Once mine weighed around 25 pounds fully loaded! My friend stuffs as many books in his as will fit. It often bulges from all the stuff he has in it.Because he tends to overload his bag, some stitching around a zipper pulled out on his bag, he sent it back and Brenthaven repaired it. Later he had the same problem again. Brenthaven said it wasn't repairable and sent him a new bag. Since the one he had was discontinued, they sent the closest equivalent, this bag.I'm not as happy with this bag as my previous one, but you can't complain about their service. They stand behind their product.UPDATE:I've returned this bag to Amazon as I just bought the previous model from an online auction site. I really don't think this bag is as good as the previous model.

I own a Macbook Pro 15" and wanted a bag to carry around my laptop. I will use the bag mostly for use from home to coffee shops, to the office, and occasionally traveling.Some of my requirements for my bag were:1. HIGH protection. I've seen ugly dents on other peoples macbooks, and didn't want that to happen to mine. (I guess that's one of the drawbacks of having an all metal exposed casing/chassis.)2. Can carry my stuff when I work - iPod/harddrive, a couple of reference books, power cable, usb drive, papers, CDs, etc.3. Looks professional (more of a want that a requirement.)Because of these requirements, I almost immediately went to the Brenthaven line. I did a lot of research, and found that Brenthaven's CORE protection system is pretty good - even though there may be a design flaw for this particular backpack.I wanted a messenger bag because I think they can carry more stuff, and they definitely look more professional than a backpack, however, I decided that carrying around a heavy laptop with some books and other junk would get really tiring, even with a well designed messenger bag.I decided upon getting the pro 15-17 backpack. In retrospect, it might have also been a good idea to get an EDGE II carrying case and stick that in a TREK expandable backpack, but the pro 15-17 ended up being a blend of those two, so I went with it.PROS:The case is well designed, and doesn't look like anything will fall apart. The straps are well padded and look like they may even stand up to the added stress of using only one strap slung over the shoulder. (I've had other backpacks' straps tear at the top over time with repeated use, and this Brenthaven looks like it will be just fine.)There are lots of usable pockets. There is the main padded and armored compartment for your laptop. There is a lot of padding and looks like it will keep your laptop safe in most falls. I feel totally comfortable dropping the backpack onto it's padded bottom from 18" high. There is a possible problem with the top of the laptop compartment, please see the "cons" section. There is a place to store some papers/folders/magazines in the same compartment.Then there is the other main compartment which could probably swallow up another 17" laptop, although this compartment isn't padded.The front compartment has a bunch of little built in pockets to organize smaller items like pens, iPods/iPhones, portable drives, cables, knick knacks, etc. There's also a built in key lanyard. There is also a dedicated power cable compartment on the front of this compartment.There's are also little connection points on the straps and the side of the laptop to connect little phone clips, or other bags. Very cool if you want to add on to the carrying capacity or functionality of this bag.The build quality and materials are top notch. The backing is well padded along with the straps, and carrying it for extended periods (1 hour standing around) hasn't brought any stress to me or the pack.CONS:The top of the laptop compartment is padded, but with a small piece of padding that looks like it's about half the size it needs to be in order to protect the laptop if the bag should tumble over onto the top of the backpack. I carefully try to fold that padding over and then zip up the compartment to hold the padding in place, but it still looks like you're gonna gamble if the bag should tumble over on to the top. Still, it's better protection than most bags I found.The straps are adjustable, which is good. The straps are strapped to themselves which prevents the straps from falling off, which is good. Unfortunately, if you adjust the straps to a smaller size, the straps kinda hang loose a little. A little unpleasant aesthetically, but otherwise, doesn't bother me. :p (small nit pick.)Overall a good all around carrying bag with high protection. Worth the money, but in retrospect, might get a sleeker protective sleeve (edge) and a larger carrying bag.