I need a work bags solution.

[tacosforlife]

v, do you know how big your laptop is? Or what model? I'm concerned the Lo & Sons won't fit because of that pesky 0.3 inches of width.

Have I mentioned how much the gigantic laptop SUCKS?

[v]

It is a dell latitude e6230 which is 12.5 inches, but it has a huge battery on it. There is plenty of extra room so it could definitely fit a much larger laptop.



I am pretty sure I've tried it with my 15" MacBook Pro and it fit fine? But I haven't travelled with my MBP in that bag.

[msmerymac]

Is the Timbuk2 commuter bag too casual? www.timbuk2.com/commute-tsa-ipad-laptop-messenger-bag/269.html?dwvar_269_size=8&dwvar_269_color=1191

I have a pretty big Dell laptop (it's a true 15 incher) and it fits great in the medium. Because it's TSA compliant, the computer portion is on the back, with a separate zipper, and you could put a travel lock on that zipper (it's a double one). There's also 2 pockets for iPads/kindles.

That leaves the interior of the bag for other work things - wallet, waterbottle, lunch, umbrella, change of shoes, phone, makeup. You won't have to unlock the back to get that stuff.

Then I would just keep my gym bag separate. Especially since the Timbuk2 is a messenger style, so your hands will be free.

They stock some of them at REI if that's convenient to you. I went there to look at them in person and measure my laptop in the pocket, and then ordered the color I preferred online. Also, if you can wait, they are usually on sale Memorial Day weekend. I think I got mine for about $85.


ETA: I just measured and my laptop is 14.85 inches wide. 

[tacosforlife]

Apr 14, 2015 13:06:14 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Is the Timbuk2 commuter bag too casual? www.timbuk2.com/commute-tsa-ipad-laptop-messenger-bag/269.html?dwvar_269_size=8&dwvar_269_color=1191

I have a pretty big Dell laptop (it's a true 15 incher) and it fits great in the medium. Because it's TSA compliant, the computer portion is on the back, with a separate zipper, and you could put a travel lock on that zipper (it's a double one). There's also 2 pockets for iPads/kindles.

That leaves the interior of the bag for other work things - wallet, waterbottle, lunch, umbrella, change of shoes, phone, makeup. You won't have to unlock the back to get that stuff.

Then I would just keep my gym bag separate. Especially since the Timbuk2 is a messenger style, so your hands will be free.

They stock some of them at REI if that's convenient to you. I went there to look at them in person and measure my laptop in the pocket, and then ordered the color I preferred online. Also, if you can wait, they are usually on sale Memorial Day weekend. I think I got mine for about $85.

That could work. I have been trying to step up my fashion game, so it would be a step back.

I love my Timbuk2 bag now because it's not quite so obviously Timbuk2, but it's also not big enough for my laptop. SIGH.

[tacosforlife]

Hmm, that Brookline does look nice.

I don't think I could fit my lunch in it, but I think laptop + purse items + lunch would likely be too heavy anyway.

Why is buying a bag so hard?

[msmerymac]

Yeah, I also have a Tumi computer bag for the times I need to go straight from office to dinner out or something, since it looks more like a purse and more feminine. But the Tumi is also more purse-sized and just has shoulder straps, so my computer feels so heavy, and it doesn't fit my lunch. If I still lived in SoCal I would not have this problem!

[vanillacourage]

Could you just have 2 gym bags (keep one at home and one at work) and get a good wet bag to take a suit back and forth in your regular work bag to launder & replace?

[litasail]

Apr 14, 2015 13:13:43 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Hmm, that Brookline does look nice.

I don't think I could fit my lunch in it, but I think laptop + purse items + lunch would likely be too heavy anyway.

Why is buying a bag so hard?

You could fit it all in an OG. (devil)

Someone on DCNR who has a 14.5 inch laptop just got one and it fits in there.

[tacosforlife]

Apr 14, 2015 13:29:12 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

Could you just have 2 gym bags (keep one at home and one at work) and get a good wet bag to take a suit back and forth in your regular work bag to launder & replace?

I've contemplated this. It would work for now because my gym is literally attached to the office. However, once we move, my gym will be 4-8 blocks away from my office, depending which I join. I'm most likely to go to the gym on the way to or from work. Right now, I can even go after work and still dash back to the office to drop it off. Come the summer, I won't want to walk 8 blocks out of my way to go back to the office.

[tacosforlife]

Apr 14, 2015 13:31:07 GMT -5 litasail said:

Apr 14, 2015 13:13:43 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Hmm, that Brookline does look nice.

I don't think I could fit my lunch in it, but I think laptop + purse items + lunch would likely be too heavy anyway.

Why is buying a bag so hard?

You could fit it all in an OG. (devil)

Someone on DCNR who has a 14.5 inch laptop just got one and it fits in there.

The OG says it only holds a 13-inch laptop. Hmm. I could always return it. Seriously, our laptops are MASSIVE.

[belovedbride07]

I was so happy to see this post because I've been meaning to make a similar one for months now, but my laptop is a 17-inch. It's way too big for most of these bags! I desperately need to replace my backpack, though; it was a freebie that has a software company's logo on it and it has orange accents and is generally hideous.

[rosebud]

I'd just get a second gym bag to leave at the office... But I also admit I didn't read the whole post.

[y4m]

I LOVE my Alesya, but I think with a heavy laptop it would be a lot to carry in this leather version. Hell, my macbook air feels pretty heavy at the end of some of my days. I (think) the new version might not be leather, and therefore would be better for your purposes...but she's gotten quiet about when that will be released. But all that said, it is super functional.

Sometimes I secretly and shamefully look at the Lo and Sons website.

[tacosforlife]

Apr 14, 2015 18:30:12 GMT -5 y4m said:

I LOVE my Alesya, but I think with a heavy laptop it would be a lot to carry in this leather version. Hell, my macbook air feels pretty heavy at the end of some of my days. I (think) the new version might not be leather, and therefore would be better for your purposes...but she's gotten quiet about when that will be released. But all that said, it is super functional.

Sometimes I secretly and shamefully look at the Lo and Sons website.

LOL.

Given that, maybe the Lo & Sons Brookline is the way to go. I'm not sure what battery it will have, but apparently it will weigh between 5.1 and 5.9 pounds, depending on exact specs.

[ESF]

You might want to also browse Etsy. I had a great leather bag custom designed from Rough & Tumble that has held up well. They have lots of options. It's a little riskier, but if you go with someone with a lot of good reviews, you can wind up finding much better deals.

[litasail]

tacosforlife

Here's a picture of the inside of my OG. Room for days!

I think the Brookline is on some crazy backorder, no?

Sent from my SM-G920V using proboards

Attachments:

[tacosforlife]

litasail, what size is your laptop? Because I think mine is WAY bigger than yours. In addition to being wide, ours our crazy thick.

I think v's pictures have convinced me of the Brookline, even if I have to get on the wait list.

Today, I carried my lunch and a coffee mug and a book and a bunch of shit in my normal every day bag. I think I was able to simulate the weight of carrying laptop + purse stuff in the Brookline. I think three things will be key: 1) no coffee (either drink at home or suck it up and pay $2 at work instead of carrying a travel mug), 2) commit to applying makeup at home so I can leave everything but lipstick and powder out, and 3) doing a bag purge to make sure I'm only carrying what I need. This morning with my simulated-Brookline and my gym bag, I didn't feel like I had too much stuff, and adding a lunch bag seemed like it would be OK.

If anybody has suggestions for something similar to the Brookline that's less expensive and/or available within the next two months, I'm all ears. I think I'm going to ask mamatacos to get me a new bag for my birthday in June. Then if my in-laws got me a Lands End gift certificate so I could get a new swimsuit for all the beach and pool lounging I plan to do this summer, my life would be complete.

[litasail]

Apr 15, 2015 9:13:26 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

litasail, what size is your laptop? Because I think mine is WAY bigger than yours. In addition to being wide, ours our crazy thick.

I think v's pictures have convinced me of the Brookline, even if I have to get on the wait list.

Today, I carried my lunch and a coffee mug and a book and a bunch of shit in my normal every day bag. I think I was able to simulate the weight of carrying laptop + purse stuff in the Brookline. I think three things will be key: 1) no coffee (either drink at home or suck it up and pay $2 at work instead of carrying a travel mug), 2) commit to applying makeup at home so I can leave everything but lipstick and powder out, and 3) doing a bag purge to make sure I'm only carrying what I need. This morning with my simulated-Brookline and my gym bag, I didn't feel like I had too much stuff, and adding a lunch bag seemed like it would be OK.

If anybody has suggestions for something similar to the Brookline that's less expensive and/or available within the next two months, I'm all ears. I think I'm going to ask mamatacos to get me a new bag for my birthday in June. Then if my in-laws got me a Lands End gift certificate so I could get a new swimsuit for all the beach and pool lounging I plan to do this summer, my life would be complete.

I think 14 inches? Hold please, I will ask our IT folks.

[mbcdefg]

Apr 15, 2015 9:13:26 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

litasail, what size is your laptop? Because I think mine is WAY bigger than yours. In addition to being wide, ours our crazy thick.

I think v's pictures have convinced me of the Brookline, even if I have to get on the wait list.

Today, I carried my lunch and a coffee mug and a book and a bunch of shit in my normal every day bag. I think I was able to simulate the weight of carrying laptop + purse stuff in the Brookline. I think three things will be key: 1) no coffee (either drink at home or suck it up and pay $2 at work instead of carrying a travel mug), 2) commit to applying makeup at home so I can leave everything but lipstick and powder out, and 3) doing a bag purge to make sure I'm only carrying what I need. This morning with my simulated-Brookline and my gym bag, I didn't feel like I had too much stuff, and adding a lunch bag seemed like it would be OK.

If anybody has suggestions for something similar to the Brookline that's less expensive and/or available within the next two months, I'm all ears. I think I'm going to ask mamatacos to get me a new bag for my birthday in June. Then if my in-laws got me a Lands End gift certificate so I could get a new swimsuit for all the beach and pool lounging I plan to do this summer, my life would be complete.

What kind of coffee mug do you have?

Also, can you leave a spare makeup bag at work? 

[tacosforlife]

Apr 15, 2015 14:01:18 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Apr 15, 2015 9:13:26 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

litasail, what size is your laptop? Because I think mine is WAY bigger than yours. In addition to being wide, ours our crazy thick.

I think v's pictures have convinced me of the Brookline, even if I have to get on the wait list.

Today, I carried my lunch and a coffee mug and a book and a bunch of shit in my normal every day bag. I think I was able to simulate the weight of carrying laptop + purse stuff in the Brookline. I think three things will be key: 1) no coffee (either drink at home or suck it up and pay $2 at work instead of carrying a travel mug), 2) commit to applying makeup at home so I can leave everything but lipstick and powder out, and 3) doing a bag purge to make sure I'm only carrying what I need. This morning with my simulated-Brookline and my gym bag, I didn't feel like I had too much stuff, and adding a lunch bag seemed like it would be OK.

If anybody has suggestions for something similar to the Brookline that's less expensive and/or available within the next two months, I'm all ears. I think I'm going to ask mamatacos to get me a new bag for my birthday in June. Then if my in-laws got me a Lands End gift certificate so I could get a new swimsuit for all the beach and pool lounging I plan to do this summer, my life would be complete.

What kind of coffee mug do you have?

Also, can you leave a spare makeup bag at work? 

A Contigo mug. I don't think switching mugs will help. I any insulated mug + 16 ounces of liquid is going to just add unnecessary weight. I already generally make sure my water bottle is empty if I have to transport it from home to office.

I could leave a spare makeup bag at work, but that is kind of a lot to shell out since no matter what, I want to find a laptop/purse combo solution. Carrying purse plus clunky laptop bag is no bueno. Also, I have mostly shifted my workouts to after work instead of lunch. With no need to reapply makeup, there is no reason I can't take 4 minutes at home to apply.

[litasail]

Apr 15, 2015 13:46:34 GMT -5 litasail said:

Apr 15, 2015 9:13:26 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

litasail, what size is your laptop? Because I think mine is WAY bigger than yours. In addition to being wide, ours our crazy thick.

I think v's pictures have convinced me of the Brookline, even if I have to get on the wait list.

Today, I carried my lunch and a coffee mug and a book and a bunch of shit in my normal every day bag. I think I was able to simulate the weight of carrying laptop + purse stuff in the Brookline. I think three things will be key: 1) no coffee (either drink at home or suck it up and pay $2 at work instead of carrying a travel mug), 2) commit to applying makeup at home so I can leave everything but lipstick and powder out, and 3) doing a bag purge to make sure I'm only carrying what I need. This morning with my simulated-Brookline and my gym bag, I didn't feel like I had too much stuff, and adding a lunch bag seemed like it would be OK.

If anybody has suggestions for something similar to the Brookline that's less expensive and/or available within the next two months, I'm all ears. I think I'm going to ask mamatacos to get me a new bag for my birthday in June. Then if my in-laws got me a Lands End gift certificate so I could get a new swimsuit for all the beach and pool lounging I plan to do this summer, my life would be complete.

I think 14 inches? Hold please, I will ask our IT folks.

IT confirms it's 14 inches wide.

[tacosforlife]

Apr 15, 2015 14:41:00 GMT -5 litasail said:

Apr 15, 2015 13:46:34 GMT -5 litasail said:

I think 14 inches? Hold please, I will ask our IT folks.

IT confirms it's 14 inches wide.

Your looks much thinner than mine, though. (Phrasing.) Per the measurements listed on Lo and Sons' website, the laptop pocket for the OG is 1.8 inches too narrow and 0.22 inches too short, and the laptop pocket for the Brookline is 0.8 inches too narrow and 0.72 inches too short.



I have been looking all day, and I haven't yet found anything I like as much.

[litasail]

Apr 15, 2015 14:55:12 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Apr 15, 2015 14:41:00 GMT -5 litasail said:

IT confirms it's 14 inches wide.

Your looks much thinner than mine, though. (Phrasing.) Per the measurements listed on Lo and Sons' website, the laptop pocket for the OG is 1.8 inches too narrow and 0.22 inches too short, and the laptop pocket for the Brookline is 0.8 inches too narrow and 0.72 inches too short.



I have been looking all day, and I haven't yet found anything I like as much.

I think we just need to get together for a caftan exchange and a OG/laptop try-out session.

[erbear]

Apr 14, 2015 11:42:13 GMT -5 ESF said:

Apr 14, 2015 11:38:21 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Plus, there may be times I want to leave the laptop at work (like working in office 2 days in a row) but want the gym bag with me.

As for size, the spec sheet says the new laptop is 13.39x9.33x0.99(front)/1.14(back)

I am wondering if it would fit in one of those Alesya bags that y4m loves. I actually adore the hot pink that's available. even if I couldn't fit my lunch in there, maybe if I streamlined my purse contents more, I could at least cut down to purse/laptop bag, gym bag, and lunch bag.

I have that hot pink bag. I love it.  Depending on what else you have in there, you might be able to get lunch items in there, but probably not a lunch bag.  

Could you put your lunch bag in your gym bag?  I'm assuming you work out during lunch?  So it's not like the lunch would be in with your stinky clothes?  At the end of the day, you could fold up the bag and put it in the Alesya bag.

I have this bag too. I put my laptop, wallet, cell, keys and kindle in my bag, then I carry a gym bag with my lunch in it.

[erbear]

Apr 14, 2015 12:16:41 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

So I am leaning toward the Alesya Hot Spot. I could use it as a laptop bag and purse, right? I won't hate myself for carrying a nearly-6-pound laptop in there along with purse stuff.

H thinks I should wait until we get the new laptops. I'm worried that she will finally put out the new design and I won't be able to get what I need for that price. I think I can get my TSA lock through the holes on the zipper pulls, but I can't tell if that's also true for the Lo & Sons Brookline. The OG is too small.

And while I'm sure those Tumi bags are nice, RockNVoll, 1) that is way out of my price range, and 2) the website freaking crashed my browser on my laptop so now I am mad at Tumi.

Enable me, ESF and y4m (who's going to get back from wherever she is and wonder why I tagged her a thousand times in this thread).

FWIW, Alesya is a friend of mine and I asked her recently about new bags before I got the pink one. She said it might be a while until the new stuff is available thanks to a production glitch.

[tacosforlife]

Apr 15, 2015 20:33:49 GMT -5 erbear said:

Apr 14, 2015 12:16:41 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

So I am leaning toward the Alesya Hot Spot. I could use it as a laptop bag and purse, right? I won't hate myself for carrying a nearly-6-pound laptop in there along with purse stuff.

H thinks I should wait until we get the new laptops. I'm worried that she will finally put out the new design and I won't be able to get what I need for that price. I think I can get my TSA lock through the holes on the zipper pulls, but I can't tell if that's also true for the Lo & Sons Brookline. The OG is too small.

And while I'm sure those Tumi bags are nice, RockNVoll, 1) that is way out of my price range, and 2) the website freaking crashed my browser on my laptop so now I am mad at Tumi.

Enable me, ESF and y4m (who's going to get back from wherever she is and wonder why I tagged her a thousand times in this thread).

FWIW, Alesya is a friend of mine and I asked her recently about new bags before I got the pink one. She said it might be a while until the new stuff is available thanks to a production glitch.

Can you ask her how much the bag weighs? And whether it will fit a 14.8 x 9.72 x 1.41 in laptop? I emailed but haven't heart back.

I'm now back to considering a Timbuktu: the Command TSA Friendly Laptop messenger. Not as purse-like as I would prefer, but their products are solid, the price is decent, and it will serve all my needs.

[tacosforlife]

Apr 15, 2015 20:19:30 GMT -5 litasail said:

Apr 15, 2015 14:55:12 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Your looks much thinner than mine, though. (Phrasing.) Per the measurements listed on Lo and Sons' website, the laptop pocket for the OG is 1.8 inches too narrow and 0.22 inches too short, and the laptop pocket for the Brookline is 0.8 inches too narrow and 0.72 inches too short.



I have been looking all day, and I haven't yet found anything I like as much.

I think we just need to get together for a caftan exchange and a OG/laptop try-out session.

UM, YES PLEASE.

I'm OOT this weekend, and then mamatacos is visiting. But maybe early May?

[litasail]

Apr 15, 2015 21:25:08 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Apr 15, 2015 20:19:30 GMT -5 litasail said:

I think we just need to get together for a caftan exchange and a OG/laptop try-out session.

UM, YES PLEASE.

I'm OOT this weekend, and then mamatacos is visiting. But maybe early May?

Sure! The first weekend in May is not good for me, but after that I'm pretty darn open.

[v]

Tacos, I'll be home this afternoon and can play the try-the-15" MBP in my Brookline and OMG game for you then. That computer is affirmatively not small. I have the OMG, not the OG, but I if I remember correctly the MBP did not fit in the OMG (or the TT, which I ordered and returned). The OG is also super massive, FYI. Like, really super massive.

[tacosforlife]

Apr 16, 2015 5:40:12 GMT -5 v said:

Tacos, I'll be home this afternoon and can play the try-the-15" MBP in my Brookline and OMG game for you then. That computer is affirmatively not small. I have the OMG, not the OG, but I if I remember correctly the MBP did not fit in the OMG (or the TT, which I ordered and returned). The OG is also super massive, FYI. Like, really super massive.

Thanks! Per Apple, the 15-inch MBP is half as thick as my laptop ( ) and 0.67 inches narrower. Oh, and somewhere between 0.6 and 1.4 pounds lighter ( ).

Seriously. WORST LAPTOP EVER.

FWIW, H was looking for me yesterday and was discovering that a nylon (or very lightweight leather) purse-ish looking bag that had a big enough laptop compartment plus room for purse contents is a really, really tall order. It makes me feel better that I'm not going totally crazy here. He found a couple of decent leather options, but I nixed them when I saw that the bag alone was 5 pounds. No thank you. This is why I may wind up with that Timbuk2. It is not as feminine was I would like, but at least it's simple and utilitarian and not aggressively ugly.