Home > Consumer Reviews > SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black)

When I was a kid, some luggage company had commercials where they would throw their suitcases out of an airplane and show it landing on the street below, or they would put it in a cage with a gorilla (who for some reason did not like their brand of luggage), who promptly began beating on it (dare I say "savagely"?). Well, that's how I treat my laptop bag. (oops!)

As a working author I am constantly dragging around my laptop everywhere I go. Worse than that, of course I have a neurotic obsession with carting along 80 lbs of research books as well. Of course I like to think I "travel light" (who doesn't?) and so I cram everything I think I may need in ANY emergency into my laptop bag: at least 2-3 hardcover "research" books I can't live without, a copy of each of my two newest books (in case I meet a film director), pens, myPod (yes I call it that), hi-lighters, note paper, chargers for the laptop and both cell phones, old scraps of paper with ideas scribbled on them, headphones, a few napkins (in case of spilled coffee or to scribble on if I run out of paper), book promotion plan printouts, and if there is any room left, my 17" widescreen laptop. Oh! And of course a large format (8.5x11 100-200 page) printed copy of the manuscript I am working on currently.

I have DESTROYED laptop bags, canvas shopping bags, book bags (I just don't like briefcases--ugh!), and even my beloved DreamworksSKG backpack (like I will ever see one of those again!). But this one survives to this day! I l-o-v-e my backpack and if it ever does show signs of wear and tear (it's been 3 years now and the thing still looks new) I will stand by it. I must admit that mine was not on sale. A hundred bucks for a laptop bag gave me pause when I first bought it. I actually fretted around the store for 45 minutes, comparing this bag to that one, suitcases to boxes with handles, steel cases to backpacks. I am thrilled I forked over the cash for mine (which was not on sale).

I have dropped my bag three times on accident, and by sheer sloth (after carting 35 lbs of weight on my shoulder) plopped the bag down thousands of times in coffeehouses, libraries, warehouse floors, on gravel... and the thing just keeps taking my abuse. DON'T BUY A CHEAP BAG for your laptop. The extra padding, reinforced stitches, and numerous pockets are a lifesaver. Consider this a one-time investment. Get the backpack you want, with LOTS of pockets (you will end up using them), generous amounts of padding, and reinforced handles and that rubber grip (see the picture above). Yours may look slightly different, and you may choose a brighter color, but the features I noted will save your laptop and your sanity.

I trust this brand with my most precious belongings: the ideas I have set to paper (er, so to speak). As an author I live to write, and all other things fade into a background of white noise. This makes my laptop pretty much my sole focus in life. This bag protects it, and it doesn't look too shabby either.

Thanks for reading.

the bag is pretty good overall with a bunch of zippered compartments to keep you organized.
Two main issues I ran into with -
1. The laptop compartment is not at all protected from the top. Normally i wouldn't have noticed this, but on the very first day the bag slipped off my shoulders and fell on the exposed corner of the laptop (inside the bag) and dented the corner of my laptop.
2. the cell phone sleeve is not built to take in an iphone :) you can push it in with some struggle though!

Update - Beware the bag attracts thieves! A few months in, I left this bag in my car overnight. In the morning my car was broken into and the bag gone! Make sure you don't repeat my mistake.

From the makers of the Swiss Army knife, you get a solid, utilitarian backpack. You can call it a 'computer backpack', because you can carry a laptop in it. I am writing this review on a Thinkpad T60 and, it's official. The T60 fits inside the laptop sleeve with plenty of room to spare. And it's padded too. And, if you don't feel like carrying your laptop in a backpack, it's okay to use it as a regular backpack. This particular one (my second SwissGear purchase) was for one of my kids because the first one I bought was grabbed by my first born because he was the one who opened the box and it's going to be his SchoolGear. So, let's summarize.

THE GOOD:
- Solid build, pretty close to 'indestructible'.
- Lots, of pockets, and I mean LOTS. I can see why my kids loves this. The more I investigated, the more pockets I found and my kids just counted 22 of them.
- Padded computer sleeve, of course. Seems adequate for most laptops.
- The organizer pocket lets you store pens, a cell phone, money, maps... has many internal pockets where things can be organized.
- Water bottle pocket.
- Sunshades holder.
- Swiss Army knife pocket, of course.
- The shoulder straps are quite comfortable.
- Compression straps allow you to secure items inside.
- Airflow padding on the back for more comfort.
- Cool design, in black, with little Swiss silver crosses over red everywhere.

THE NOT SO GOOD:
Can't think of anything other than, to my surprise, it turns out that it's made in China.

I feel compelled to give it five stars.

Have had the Backpack for a little over a month and love it. I use it to travel through airports and on airplanes and it fits everything I need, to include a large sized laptop and enough clothes for an overnight stay. Even though it fits a lot of items it's not too large or bulky to carry and it fits fine under the front seat of a plane.
Heavy duty - I have carried up to 25lbs of equipment in it and I didn't feel overwhelmed when it was strapped to my back. Zippers are nice and sturdy. I replaced a very heavy duty Targus backpack that I had for 8 years and I bet this one holds up just as well.
The laptop compartment makes it easy to get the laptop in/out at the airport security checkpoint. Its pockets and compartments make sense, I seem to have a place for everything and I know where to find it.
Great backpack and highly recommend it.

I bought this backpack last November 30th to house my Sony Vaio VGN-FW140E laptop when travelling. I used it actually last December 24th when I went to LA to spend the holidays with my family there. The bag helped a lot! as in a lot! i have an oakley shades that easily fits the shades handle at the strap, i have a psp, digital camera, pen, gum, food for the flight, one shirt, few documents, celfone, and of course my 17" laptop and it all fitted in the bag. i had no problem bringing it although it became quite heavy because the strap is well padded. I have all sort of things to carry and the bag has room for it! This is the best thing i bought this year and i want you to experience it too..