OGIO Metro Pack Backpack and Portable Notebook Case

Rating:
Summary: almost perfect
Review: I've used one of these for 6 months, usually carrying my 15" Powerbook G4 with power supply, a graphics tablet, some books, and other stuff. I love how compact and professional-looking it is while still holding a lot. The straps are comfy, and the hip belt and sternum strap are a big help with heavy loads. The side-zippered laptop compartment in the back is so convenient - you don't have to open the main bag to get to it. Only a couple of small things keep this backpack from being perfect, in my opinion. Although you can fit a smallish water bottle into one of the side zippered compartments, you can't take it out and put it back on the run, as with a mesh pocket. When the main compartment is fairly full, it's difficult to take out items toward the back, because the zipper opening is not flush with the back of the compartment. But this small difficulty is also the flip side of two good features: the bag is not bulky (good for subway commuting), and this construction seems to put less strain on the main zipper than with some bags (my last backpack broke that way). The tagged zippers on the small pockets sometimes interfere with the main zipper. This one does not have an extra-safe suspension system for the laptop pocket, like some of the more expensive bags. That sounds like a lot of criticism, but really, that's everything I could think of to criticize. My husband borrowed it, and I haven't gotten it back since, he loves it so much. Now I need a replacement, and I might just get another of these.

Rating:
Summary: almost perfect
Review: I've used one of these for 6 months, usually carrying my 15" Powerbook G4 with power supply, a graphics tablet, some books, and other stuff. I love how compact and professional-looking it is while still holding a lot. The straps are comfy, and the hip belt and sternum strap are a big help with heavy loads. The side-zippered laptop compartment in the back is so convenient - you don't have to open the main bag to get to it. Only a couple of small things keep this backpack from being perfect, in my opinion. Although you can fit a smallish water bottle into one of the side zippered compartments, you can't take it out and put it back on the run, as with a mesh pocket. When the main compartment is fairly full, it's difficult to take out items toward the back, because the zipper opening is not flush with the back of the compartment. But this small difficulty is also the flip side of two good features: the bag is not bulky (good for subway commuting), and this construction seems to put less strain on the main zipper than with some bags (my last backpack broke that way). The tagged zippers on the small pockets sometimes interfere with the main zipper. This one does not have an extra-safe suspension system for the laptop pocket, like some of the more expensive bags. That sounds like a lot of criticism, but really, that's everything I could think of to criticize. My husband borrowed it, and I haven't gotten it back since, he loves it so much. Now I need a replacement, and I might just get another of these.