I actually bought the Meh laptop backpack despite not currently owning a laptop, and it came in useful (gave it to a friend who was short on luggage). But this...no.
Tempting, very tempting. I just bought a new 17.3 inch laptop this weekend. I don't really need a new bag since my old bag still fits (well, I think it will, I just realized I haven't actually put it in the bag yet), but now I have two 17 inch laptops and only one bag. I'm just not sure if I want to risk that it won't fit because of that extra .3 inch.
ETA And now I see in the specs above it does say 17.3 and not just the 17 on the main page. But, the specs also list much smaller measurements, so I'm confused.
@JonT Seriously though, can someone help me out here with this? Maybe I'm being slow tonight, (it's possible) but it seems like the specs aren't adding up. Padded compartment protects laptops up to 17.3” Body Size: 12.38" x 16" x 4.5" Laptop Pocket Size: 16.25" x 11.75" x 1.8"
@PurplePawprints Edge to edge diagonally, the 17.3" is screen size measured as big as possible. But since my 17.3" screen laptop has a wide bezel, it goes 16.4" wide and JUST wouldn't fit. Shame, since I need a bag for it eventually. Oh well, not this one. Meh.
@Maymne Duh! I knew it had to be me just being slow, but I couldn't wrap my head around it. In my defense, it is pretty late and all. Okay, well I guess I'll pull out the measuring tape in the morning and see how wide my laptop actually is. Thank you for not making me feel like an idiot when you pointed out the obvious.
@PurplePawprints It's mathematics, friend. Laptops are measured by their diagonal size. A laptop with height and width dimensions larger than the specs you listed would be 20+ inches...
@PurplePawprints as I understand it when a laptop screen size is given like 17.3", that is a diagonal screen measurement and not the width of the laptop. That would be how the bag measurement would seem too small but not really be.
@v@BrentD@denboy I figured all that out last night. However, when I measured my laptop today, it's 16.5 inches across and will not fit in this bag, sadly.
@PurplePawprints Last night was when I posted that. :) But it all depends on the aspect ratio of your laptop screen. I'm assuming yours is probably a widescren model. A 17.3" widescreen laptop would have a greater width than a standard 4:3 aspect ratio screen of the same advertised size since they're measured diagonally...and from the looks of the bag it's more of a 4:3 than a widescreen.
Great deal! I wish I needed one. How 'bout some inexpensive gadgets? I miss that about Woot and now that I found out about Meh (yesterday) I will be a regular.
I have a supposedly 'TSA approved' laptop backpack that unfolds to go through the scanner. Doesn't matter, they make everyone take their laptops out of whatever bag they're in and put them through separately.
marketable-fragile-coffee… "Peets? Pssh, I only drink coffee made from the finest beans shat by pygmy goats in the Himalayas and roasted to a fragrant ash."
It looks nice, and certainly more secure for a laptop than what I'm using now (a backpack), and I do travel more than I'd like… I just hope it's big enough to fit my large-ish Bluetooth headphones.
If you travel a lot with a laptop this does make it pretty easy to get through security quickly. Before I switched to a backpack I felt so awesome when I just picked up my clamshell laptop bag and left. Now I look like a total noob traveler fumbling to get my laptop back in my backpack at the airport... but in the end, a small price to pay for being able to use two shoulder straps instead of one.
@phatmass@ceagee Not sure where you two are flying out of, but in Philly it doesn't matter what your laptop is in, they still make you take it out and put it in a separate bin to scan. Really annoying!
@Cinoclav PHL is one of the worst. Never enough parking in B or C, long security lines, constantly delayed departures, slow baggage handling (this is surprisingly getting better, though). The only thing it has going for it are the restaurants. Jet Rock and Chickies & Petes are the bomb.
@snapster I guess it is. Oddly enough, I generally have a good experience with PHL. It's not really a huge issue to remove my laptop (guess it bothers me more than it should) and overall I've had pretty good luck with my baggage. Only real complaint was a ski trip to Taos where my skis didn't make it on to my flight. They were put on the next flight which just so happened to have one of our group on it. She simply grabbed them for me. Personally, I despise all 3 NY area airports. JFK/La Guardia/Newark can bite me.
@DJP519 Because they screwed it up. At least, they did if Amazon is right. Since Amazon lists the dimensions as 5x16.5x12 inches, which actually makes sense. Heh.
I would hate to abandon my Bag of Holding and my just recently purchased Backpack of Holding .. but if I switched to this bag for my electronics, my backpack of holding would be almost empty. I don't think it's worth $15 to not have to pop the laptop out of the bag at the airport.. but i'll have to think on this some. it might be.
I got on the TSA Pre-Check bandwagon a few months ago. It's the best. Going through security is a breeze now. You leave your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. Leave your laptop and liquids in your bag. So, basically, it's like going through security pre 9-11.
@snapster I'm fine with the extra security. But, the problem is that the TSA, homeland security, or whatever need to be more proactive when it comes to safety. Instead of just being reactive. There will always be crazy people in the world. They key is to find and fix the vulnerabilities, not just cover them up after a tragedy occurs.
I have Asus gaming laptop which is 12.5" deep. It's a guess whether I would be able zip the laptop compartment. Surprisingly the compartment's width of 16.25 works for this beefy laptop.
This has been my daily carry and I'm looking forward to trying this (although it's not so much a laptop bag) but today's deal was one of those times the VMP status clicked the button more than I did. Who wants to carry a laptop around in the same thing every day?
WHAT in the world is the iCtrl cable management system thing? There's a headphone pocket, and not much else that I can see. The literature makes it seem like there should be some hook-n-loop straps or something. There's some smooth surfaces that you can probably use duck tape on, but that's about it...
Note to Self: look at the dimensions before you buy, Self. And don't forget to convert the mehters to feet. (It's big)
Meh isn't requiring a signature on this, is it? My post office is refusing to deliver it, telling me I have to pick it up there and sign for it, and I have to take an afternoon off to do that.
Nemmine. I called the toll-free number and bitched and they'll try to pretend to deliver it again tomorrow. The worst part is that the tracking page actually does say "delivered."
Specs
Condition - New
Warranty - 5 Year Solo
Ships via - FedEx SmartPost
What’s in the Box?!
1x Solo Checkfast Laptop Bag
Pictures
Front
Open
Checkfast
Price Check
$44.92 at Amazon
Find a relevant price comparison? Please share it in a reply to this comment
Warranty
90 days
$15 @ Meh.com (posterity)
No baby arm, and not in Georgia red (whatever that is), so meh.
I actually bought the Meh laptop backpack despite not currently owning a laptop, and it came in useful (gave it to a friend who was short on luggage). But this...no.
@khunjeff agreed
@khunjeff You can't see the baby arm because it's inside Glen.
Looks nice, but meh. Have one I'm happy with.
I regret even bothering to look... this is so meh it's not even amusing....
스피커독이 들어갈리가..? ㅋㅋ
@sherryblue 가능해보여요 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
I prefer backpacks
First sucker of the night bought it...
Prefer a backpack...
Tempting, very tempting. I just bought a new 17.3 inch laptop this weekend. I don't really need a new bag since my old bag still fits (well, I think it will, I just realized I haven't actually put it in the bag yet), but now I have two 17 inch laptops and only one bag. I'm just not sure if I want to risk that it won't fit because of that extra .3 inch.
ETA And now I see in the specs above it does say 17.3 and not just the 17 on the main page. But, the specs also list much smaller measurements, so I'm confused.
@JonT Seriously though, can someone help me out here with this? Maybe I'm being slow tonight, (it's possible) but it seems like the specs aren't adding up. Padded compartment protects laptops up to 17.3” Body Size: 12.38" x 16" x 4.5" Laptop Pocket Size: 16.25" x 11.75" x 1.8"
@PurplePawprints Edge to edge diagonally, the 17.3" is screen size measured as big as possible. But since my 17.3" screen laptop has a wide bezel, it goes 16.4" wide and JUST wouldn't fit. Shame, since I need a bag for it eventually. Oh well, not this one. Meh.
@Maymne Duh! I knew it had to be me just being slow, but I couldn't wrap my head around it. In my defense, it is pretty late and all. Okay, well I guess I'll pull out the measuring tape in the morning and see how wide my laptop actually is. Thank you for not making me feel like an idiot when you pointed out the obvious.
@PurplePawprints because the screen is measured diagonally and the bag is measured square? IDK, I may be drunk too. Its a mystery.
@PurplePawprints It's mathematics, friend. Laptops are measured by their diagonal size. A laptop with height and width dimensions larger than the specs you listed would be 20+ inches...
@PurplePawprints as I understand it when a laptop screen size is given like 17.3", that is a diagonal screen measurement and not the width of the laptop. That would be how the bag measurement would seem too small but not really be.
@v @BrentD @denboy I figured all that out last night. However, when I measured my laptop today, it's 16.5 inches across and will not fit in this bag, sadly.
@PurplePawprints Last night was when I posted that. :) But it all depends on the aspect ratio of your laptop screen. I'm assuming yours is probably a widescren model. A 17.3" widescreen laptop would have a greater width than a standard 4:3 aspect ratio screen of the same advertised size since they're measured diagonally...and from the looks of the bag it's more of a 4:3 than a widescreen.
Will 40 AA batteries easily fit inside?
@jjohns71 "requires 40 AA batteries (not included)"
I do love pockets. But meh, i'll stick with the backpack slung over my shoulder with the one working strap.
I like a bag ^^.
Great deal! I wish I needed one. How 'bout some inexpensive gadgets? I miss that about Woot and now that I found out about Meh (yesterday) I will be a regular.
@erick welcome to consistent disappointment!
@JonT Uh... I believe I was promised consistent mediocrity?
Hope you are an apple fan that is completely unsatisfied with the stock audio...
I don't need this one. Already have a laptop backpack, which I bought from Meh back in July.
Can't... decide... if... meh... or... not.....
$39.99 at Overstock, btw: http://www.overstock.com/Luggage-Bags/SOLO-Vector-17.3-inch-Clam-shell-Laptop-Briefcase-with-Headphone-Port/6470082/product.html
and $54.99 from the manufacturer: http://solo.net/solo-checkfasttm-laptop-clamshell-1?color=Black/White
Bah! I bought it and I meh'd it.. problem solved!
I have a supposedly 'TSA approved' laptop backpack that unfolds to go through the scanner. Doesn't matter, they make everyone take their laptops out of whatever bag they're in and put them through separately.
@Cinoclav never had this problem actually. flew 10+ round trips with one and loved it.
shoes, belt, cell phone, wallet... all still suck to stow and retrieve but at least you feel the minor technical victory on the notebook.
@Cinoclav Agree. I had a clamshell bag and I think it worked once (maybe twice) ten years ago. I fly 6-8 times a year.
Here's the TSA guidelines including their need to inspect if clear X-ray doesn't occur http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/checkpoint-friendly-laptop-bags
@snapster Let's face it: Breakfast octopus status brings privileges.
Does it come w/ the official replica "Glen" puppet shown? Or is it Glen himself, er, itself that will be included ?
@ceagee is that Georgia Red Glen is wearing ?
@ceagee No.
I'll buy one if it comes with Glen.
marketable-fragile-coffee… "Peets? Pssh, I only drink coffee made from the finest beans shat by pygmy goats in the Himalayas and roasted to a fragrant ash."
It looks nice, and certainly more secure for a laptop than what I'm using now (a backpack), and I do travel more than I'd like… I just hope it's big enough to fit my large-ish Bluetooth headphones.
If you travel a lot with a laptop this does make it pretty easy to get through security quickly. Before I switched to a backpack I felt so awesome when I just picked up my clamshell laptop bag and left. Now I look like a total noob traveler fumbling to get my laptop back in my backpack at the airport... but in the end, a small price to pay for being able to use two shoulder straps instead of one.
@phatmass I have a backpack that has the compartment that opens so you don't need to take it out. Maybe that's what you need.
@phatmass @ceagee Not sure where you two are flying out of, but in Philly it doesn't matter what your laptop is in, they still make you take it out and put it in a separate bin to scan. Really annoying!
@Cinoclav glad to know the airport - I'd report them if I lived there.
@snapster It's one of those touchy issues as to whether the airport rules supersede TSA. PHL states that laptops have to be placed in a separate bin. http://www.phl.org/passengerinfo/SecurityInformation/Pages/screening.aspx
@Cinoclav PHL is one of the worst. Never enough parking in B or C, long security lines, constantly delayed departures, slow baggage handling (this is surprisingly getting better, though). The only thing it has going for it are the restaurants. Jet Rock and Chickies & Petes are the bomb.
@Cinoclav I flew out of 3 different airports. One took it out, the others did not. It zips open and lays flat on the conveyor. Link to bag: http://www.ebags.com/product/swissgear-travel-gear/scansmart-backpack/205059 Other family members who fly more often use same.
@Cinoclav I'm thinking perhaps Philly is the rare exception. Anecdotal but they appear to have a plethora of issues (as @jsh139 mentions) http://frankkoehl.com/2010/03/the-number-one-worst-airport-in-america/
@snapster I guess it is. Oddly enough, I generally have a good experience with PHL. It's not really a huge issue to remove my laptop (guess it bothers me more than it should) and overall I've had pretty good luck with my baggage. Only real complaint was a ski trip to Taos where my skis didn't make it on to my flight. They were put on the next flight which just so happened to have one of our group on it. She simply grabbed them for me. Personally, I despise all 3 NY area airports. JFK/La Guardia/Newark can bite me.
Whoah, the fancy silver stripe reminds me of a laptop bag i had in... 1998? Come to think of it my G3 powerbook would fit really nicely in this.
How is the laptop pocket size (16.25") larger than the listed body size (16.0")???
@DJP519 Because they screwed it up. At least, they did if Amazon is right. Since Amazon lists the dimensions as 5x16.5x12 inches, which actually makes sense. Heh.
Pass! Meh!
Will they put crap in it?......oh, sorry, wrong website.
I don't fly often enough to need something like this.
I would hate to abandon my Bag of Holding and my just recently purchased Backpack of Holding .. but if I switched to this bag for my electronics, my backpack of holding would be almost empty. I don't think it's worth $15 to not have to pop the laptop out of the bag at the airport.. but i'll have to think on this some. it might be.
well, i did decide to go ahead and grab a couple. realized the kids could use them if i can't.
I got on the TSA Pre-Check bandwagon a few months ago. It's the best. Going through security is a breeze now. You leave your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. Leave your laptop and liquids in your bag. So, basically, it's like going through security pre 9-11.
@jsh139 yep. anonymity lost but I think we're past stopping that momentum anyways. Privacy-minded baby boomers lost their majority.
@snapster I'm fine with the extra security. But, the problem is that the TSA, homeland security, or whatever need to be more proactive when it comes to safety. Instead of just being reactive. There will always be crazy people in the world. They key is to find and fix the vulnerabilities, not just cover them up after a tragedy occurs.
@snapster Soon we'll all be dead and you can stand on any lawn you want.
No Georgia Red. . for that alone, meh.
@jrwofuga I'll be sad the day we sell something in Georgia Red and I don't see this comment, but I'm excited to see what you say instead.
i won a woot bag-o-crap yesterday... cant wait to see what i get to donate. maybe i could donate this satchel-o-meh too.
Maybe my quickest meh button press thus far.
If it was a "Meh" laptop backpack, I would get one for sure.
I "meh"'d it, but only because I have a really nice bag I'm not yet ready to replace. Otherwise I would have bought it. Nice bag.
I have Asus gaming laptop which is 12.5" deep. It's a guess whether I would be able zip the laptop compartment. Surprisingly the compartment's width of 16.25 works for this beefy laptop.
Hey Dork Sysop: Get off your butt and measure this comp condom again. I need 12.5" from bottom of bag to middle of zipper.
I like the bag, I just have no need for it. Current laptop bag still performs it's job. So meh for now.
This has been my daily carry and I'm looking forward to trying this (although it's not so much a laptop bag) but today's deal was one of those times the VMP status clicked the button more than I did. Who wants to carry a laptop around in the same thing every day?
@editorkid MURSE: The fanny pack of a new generation. Double-meh.
@ruouttaurmind New generation? I'm already older than my father or either grandfather ever got, kid.
17인치 노트북 들어가요. 안들어가요. ?? 그것만 말해줘여. 제발
WHAT in the world is the iCtrl cable management system thing? There's a headphone pocket, and not much else that I can see. The literature makes it seem like there should be some hook-n-loop straps or something. There's some smooth surfaces that you can probably use duck tape on, but that's about it...
Note to Self: look at the dimensions before you buy, Self. And don't forget to convert the mehters to feet. (It's big)
Meh isn't requiring a signature on this, is it? My post office is refusing to deliver it, telling me I have to pick it up there and sign for it, and I have to take an afternoon off to do that.
Nemmine. I called the toll-free number and bitched and they'll try to pretend to deliver it again tomorrow. The worst part is that the tracking page actually does say "delivered."
@editorkid Mine got left outside my door, just like pretty much all my smartpost packages. No hassle.