Apple picker Our reader Martin Doubek shared with us his experience choosing a bag for his MacBook Air and iPad. Maybe one of you readers will find his tip helpful.
What I needed
I bought a new iPad and a Smart Cover with it, but I was still figuring out how to carry it. I had the screen protection relatively resolved, but only and only for normal use at home or in places where the iPad can be used normally. However, there are smaller or larger distances between these points, and when crossing them, the iPad is potentially much more dangerous, falling, or of interest to thieves. After all, it is better to store the tablet in a case or bag. Over the past few weeks, I've learned that carrying an iPad in a slip-in case for even just 5 minutes to and from work is a pain. Better to keep your hands free and have your iPad in your bag. But how to choose such a bag? After hours and days of "googling" it dawned on me that a Messenger Bag would be the best, there are about a million of them out there.
Choice dilemma and "exclusive" prices
A Messenger Bag is a type of smaller loose bag resembling a deliveryman's bag, hence the name "Messenger" Bag. It can be worn over the shoulder, on a strap or cross-body, i.e. very comfortably. I was also looking at how I could possibly carry the Macbook Air along with the new iPad despite the fact that most of the time I will only be carrying the iPad. However, I didn't have an easy decision, because I have the Air in 13" size, which is significantly larger than the iPad. If I had Air in a minor mutation, the decision making would be a little easier.
I initially focused on the Apple website and visited the Apple online store, where there are many interesting bags exclusively for the Apple Store. Their only drawback is the "exclusive" high price. Models that catch your eye and are worth it range between CZK 4 and CZK 000. However, these are high-quality leather bags with padded pockets for Macbook Air 5″ (or Pro) and iPad with a large pocket for other small items. However, my goal was a different category, a price up to CZK 400.
Hope dies last, brand choice
After some more searching, my gaze focused on the brand Built, which is based in New York and is known for high quality neoprene packaging and bags. Neoprene has always fascinated me, it is a water-resistant soft material that, despite its low weight and thin thickness, provides perfect protection for entrusted objects. In the end, I chose between three messenger bags with sizes for iPad, Macbook Air 13″ and Macbook Pro 15-17″, Macbook Air 13″ and iPad in one. I rejected the iPad-only bag precisely because of the requirement to occasionally carry a Macbook Air as well. It wouldn't fit in this bag, but it has one plus, and that's an integrated opening for putting headphones through to the iPad. For those of you who are looking for a single-purpose iPad bag, this one will certainly not disappoint you.
I ended up focusing on the other two models. I found both bags available on the iStyle website, they were located in the Prague store in the Palladium shopping center on Náměstí Republiky. I looked at both bags and it was immediately clear to me that the largest bag was rubbish, and that was because it was simply gigantic. I decided on a bag only for Macbook Air 13″ for a nice promotional price of CZK 790.
Selected and now details
You may be wondering how my request to transfer both devices at the same time was met. Easy, the bag has one large internal pocket for a Macbook Air that can also hold an iPad. On the back there is an outer pocket of the same size. If both devices need to be carried, the Air will fit into the inner pocket designed for it, and the iPad will be in the outer pocket, which is next to the body when worn. It is therefore relatively safe in view of the persistent hands of thieves. The bag also contains a small inner pocket for a charger and a second smaller pocket for an iPhone or Magic Mouse. Fastening is done classically via Velcro, which is long and therefore allows easy fastening even when the bag is full. The inside of the bag, or laptop pocket, has a plush surface on one side and protects the surface of a Macbook or iPad well at a high level.
In terms of wearing - I can only praise the wide strap with adjustable length, at my height of 180 centimeters the bag reaches up to my knee. The strap is soft and doesn't cut, but neoprene padding would be welcome, which can make it more comfortable to wear when fully loaded. After several days of carrying both the iPad and both devices, I can hardly fault the bag. I would appreciate a little more space for accessories, although everything fits there, but it is at the expense of significant "bulges" on the bag. It is then more difficult to fasten the velcro. However, if any of you are looking for something similar for your computer equipment, I can recommend the Built Messenger Bag considering the materials used and the quality of the workmanship.
Author Martin Doubek
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I use a Microsoft "shockproof" backpack on my iPad or MBA 13″ (or both). It has Microsoft written on it, so I'm 120% sure that no one will steal it from me :-p
Interesting ;) I wouldn't have thought of that ;)
Macbook pro 13 I probably won't find anything there
Well, I think that without problems, yes, but it will be quite fiddly, after all, the pocket is for a thinner device than the MBP. If you're from PHA, you can challenge MBP and we'll try ;)
Good tip. I'm looking for something like this.
She has a school bag
with a wooden pencil case
I walked with you through the green autumn.
I use it directly on the iPad and I am completely satisfied. I can recommend
Unfortunately, I didn't actually see how the smaller one would fit the charger? Cool?
It will fit easily. I also carry my keys and wallet there.
I forgot to note that I (respectively, my bag :D) also had my first fall on concrete with an iPad inside from a height of about 1.5 meters and absolutely no sign of anything and zero damage ;)
Hello, I have a bag for a Macbook pro 13 and it's also fine, only if I want to cram more things into it it's quite a problem, but the material and design are great :))) I recommend
Do you have exactly the same one that is written about in the article? Martin writes a little further down that he hasn't tried it yet.