Swiss Gear SA1923 Black TSA Friendly ScanSmart Laptop Backpack - Fits Most 15 Inch Laptops and Tablets

I bought this backpack in the hopes that it would be able to protect my macbook air and keep my college supplies (notebooks, pens/pencils, chargers, calculator....etc) and food containers safe. In terms of space, I would say that it is more than sufficient for that purpose. However, this is actually what I didnt like. I know that the backpack is meant for 15.6 and higher, but that really wasnt the biggest issue at hand. The main issue was that I noticed there wasnt enough padding for the laptop and the space was too big to properly house the computer. What I mean is that the laptop was noticeably shifting from left to right inside the backpack while I would walk because the Velcro strap was too wide to keep the laptop from shifting. Another thing I noticed is that the netting that allows for an easier scan in airport compromises the safety of the laptop if you were to put anything else beside it in the adjacent space. I also noticed that the zippers felt slightly flimsy for a SwissGear backpack. I also had a 32oz Thermos container on one side and on the other side I had a 25oz Camelbak Chute on the other so I could gauge the backpacks capacity. It was able to hold everything I threw at it, but it felt like I was running the risk of damaging my items in the long run. So, I opted to try out the SwissGear SHERPA Backpack. I was not dissatisfied in the least. The straps were more cushioned, the laptop padding was amazing, the space was for supplies was more than adequate, and the zippers even felt more durable than the scansmart. Overall, if you are a college student that needs something to hold two ~32oz containers, a laptop, kindle/tablet, supplies and some food. I would highly recommend getting the SwissGear The SHERPA Laptop Notebook Computer Backpack - Red/Black. You can get one from amazon, but if you want a better deal I would check Macmall because they are selling it for *25$ at the time of this review. * You must have 35$ worth of items to be eligible for free shipping.

Been very happy with this bag. its a good size for a laptop computer, and has a nice padded compartment against your back for carrying the computer. I find the side-opening zipper of the computer compartment convenient and easy for slipping my iBook in and out. There is enough space in the other compartments to store cord/charger, thumb drives, and assorted things like pens and notebook. I especially like the sturdy top handle for carrying the bag in hand, rather than on my back. The one complaint I have about carrying it this way, however, is the length of the straps. The adjustment straps for the shoulders are long enough that when I carry the bag using the handle, they drag on the ground. There is no place to secure them other than maybe knotting them around each other. But in that case, you cant really fling the bag over the shoulder. The bag is a little bit on the heavy side - but this is a byproduct of the sturdy build. The zippers have functioned well, and overall, the bag is comfortable on the back, or in hand. I feel that the computer is protected and secure. And it doesnt really look like anything other than a knapsack, so presumably, not a target for would-be thieves. Like the size. Big enough to carry the stuff I carry when carrying my laptop, and has enough space to bring along other necessities when traveling on a plane as a small carry-on. But not so big that it becomes cumbersome.

This is my second SwissGear laptop bag. The first was purchased locally and lasted about 4 years before the stitching on one of the straps started coming off. I was able to limp along with it that way for a while, but needed to get another before the strap let go. Am hoping that this one gives me some more time. So far Im liking the bag. Not quite as big as my old bag (they seem to be similar size on the outside, so I assume they are comparable models) but this seems to be more an issue of how the pocket zippers run and not an overall size difference. The large compartment zipper makes a narrower opening than Im used to so its difficult to get as much into the pocket due to the opening. Seems to be good quality and should last for a few years. This bag goes everywhere with me...to work every day and on every trip I take.

I bought this backpack for school. After an exhaustive search online, in local stores and across campus, I can definitively say that this is hands down the best laptop backpack you can buy! Pros: 1. Tons of space and usable compartments: - 1 padded laptop compartment - 1 thin compartment that can be used for papers and folders - 1 main compartment that contains vertical dividers to keep things organized, a smaller interior mesh pocket, and an ipod/cell phone pouch that leads to a slit in the top of the backpack for a headphone cord - 1 decent sized pocket on each side (I use 1 for my laptop charger and accessories) - 2 stretchy water bottle pockets big enough for the big 1 liter bottles (good for umbrella too) - 1 small pocket on the top front - 1 pocket on the bottom front that contains a bunch of small organizer pockets found in every backpack that nobody ever uses 2. Comfort: padded, shock absorbing arm pads, padded back, and a comfortable handle on top. 3. Appearance: In my opinion, this is one of the best looking backpacks out there, but I cant argue with taste so if you have one of those ugly backpacks, thats fine with me. 4. Price: Phenomenal deal! ($50 when I purchased it) Would have gladly spent more (dont tell amazon) Cons: (there really are none... Im nitpicking here) 1. The opening for the laptop is on the side (not the top) which makes it a little awkward to get in and out. Not a big deal though. 2. I would have liked a little more padding underneath the laptop. The amount of padding is pretty similar to most other laptop cases though. You just need to be careful about setting it down to hard. 3. The size was perfect for my 15.6 widescreen. I havent tried a 17, but Im guessing it would be too big (if you could get it to fit inside, it would be VERY tight)

This is my first experience of using a back pack so I carefully selected one for my needs. My job as a golf ranger requires me to carry a variety of necessary items for work and nourishment. This pack has lots of convenient pockets inside and out and is well suited for work and travel. The zippers are to my liking and I actually returned a more expensive pack because of the zipper action. I like smooth and substantial with generous pulls for ease of operation. I live in Arizona and black is not a good choice of color for being in the sun and I can see a slight fading starting but the sun is harsh and nothing can last in it for long unless it has thorns. This is a cool looking pack and I recommended it unless you dont like cool.

So I had a Jansport backpack and it was stolen and that left me in the weird position of having to buy another backpack. I figured this time Id opt for what was practical for me as opposed to what was in style at the time. I did some searching and discovered this bag and was intrigued when I saw it could serve all of my needs. First off, there are compartments galore. Three separate areas, one main compartment, one flat compartment designed for your laptop, and a rear compartment that can hold some extra stuff. All three compartments are very long, with the main compartment being the biggest. The padding on the backpack is unreal. It really feels like having a pillow on your back. The side mesh pockets are great for holding a bottle of water or coffee container, and the Swiss Gear logo really adds a bit of style to the whole thing. Overall, Im very pleased. Well worth the money.

Extremely well made backpack. This is my third one. The first one I bought about 5 years ago. I bought a second one about 3 years ago and gave the first one to my son which he is still using. Im still using the second one. The only reason I bought this one was it was such a good price (Amazon Deal of the Day) that I just wanted to have it in reserve in case the one Im using ever does tear up (which I doubt) or gets too ratty looking (could happen). I travel a good bit and the Scan Smart laptop section is great. I just leave the laptop in the backpack and it always goes right through the TSA scanner. In probably 200 airline trips, TSA has taken my laptop out of the bag only one time. I use this bag every day. It goes with me everywhere. Just to give you an idea, here are things I keep in the various pockets: Main/large pocket - file folders with work papers and personal papers, reading book, plenty of room left over to put food or other items in here to take to work. Zippered upper pocket inside Main pocket - Prescription drugs. Lower zippered pocket inside Main pocket: portable hard drive and other electronics if I am traveling. Pocket inside Main pocket designed for MP3 player - I keep my work security badge here, extremely handy and I always know where I put it. Front lower outer pocket - pens, pencils, personal grooming items (floss, comb, nail cutter), mini-maglight, eyeglass repair kit, business cards, etc. Front upper outer pocket - ear buds, usb cord, 110v to USB charger adapter, 12v to USB charger adapter. Side zippered pockets - eyeglass cases, laptop mouse. Side mesh pockets - laptop power cord when Im traveling I ride my bike to work alot. I unzip the Scan Smart zippers lay my neatly folded cloths in that section, rezip. and when I get to work my cloths are still nice neat and unwrinkled. As you can probably tell, I really like this bag and I highly recommend it.

I dont remember where (or when) I bought this, but the sister to this pack was with me for almost 10 years, maybe longer. I just know, it was always there. It has been my book bag, travel bag, overnight bag and general all-around companion. I carried it with me over the pond as my carry on more time than I can count. Its been to 12 countries and on more flights than most people. Ive tossed it, drug it through airports, taken it camping and generally abused it through countless excursions. And it always held up fantastically... until it didnt. When I realized the should strap was beginning to separate and fray I almost cried. When I found a growing hole in the bottom corner, I did cry. But... it was time to retire the old girl and I came on Amazon to find a replacement. I thought about other bags, but this one is just perfect for every occasion. The back pocket is the right size for my laptop, and the front compartment, my overnight clothes (a change and a bit extra). The front pocket is perfect for cosmetics and toiletries. The side pockets are excellent for a bottle of body wash and a brush. The other inner pocket will hold my sketch pad and pencils and the small front pocket my chargers and headphones. For classes, it fits books exactly as it should. For flights, its amazing and fits perfectly under the seat and is just the right size as a carry-on. You wont do better than this amazing bag. Nothing lasts forever, but as long as Swiss keeps selling this bag, Ill be there. See you in another 10 years!

Ive held off on writing a review for this for about five months now as I wanted to give this bag a chance to get some wear and tear. Now after two trips over seas, daily use, and a couple of rainstorms Ill finally toss this up. This bag has held up remarkably well for the abuse Ive put it through. I do some travel for work and I had to find a bag large enough for my ASUS laptop and this was one of the only ones I could find. I was a little hesitant to purchase the bag as it was pricey and some of the reviews were not that favorable of it. The biggest concern I had was the reported zipper issues, that almost kept me from getting the bag itself. Now after five months Im extremely pleased with this bag and its durability. Ive had zero issues with the zippers so far and its taken a beating in the London Tubes, the plane rides over the pond and back, and while wondering around London during my downtime. Ive been hit by a few random downpours and the bag has kept my belongings safe and dry inside. The abundance of pockets gives me room to store all my computer related peripherals so I dont have to worry about them loose inside the main pocket. The scansmart feature is wonderful for going through security at my local airport. Before it was incredibly nerve wracking time as you had to unload all your electronics from the bag and put them in separate bins. Now I can simply unzip the bag, lay it flat, and send it through. That being said, over seas you still have to pull your electronics out. This bag is only recognized by the TSA not world wide security. My first trip over I watched a couple with the smart scan bags arguing with British security about it, so keep that in mind when ordering this bag if you do. Ive enjoyed this bag so much I showed one of my coworkers who does a lot of traveling for the company as well and he ended up purchasing another SwissGear ScanSmart style bag.

I use 2-3 backpacks for work and out of the last few I purchased, this one is my favorite so far, The compartments are well placed and hold what I need. This is well made, the zippers have held up for 6months without issues so far and the bottom is not sowing too much wear from beaing dragged across concrete and gravel while working. The best thing is that I can carry 2 14 laptops in the back compartments easily and well protected. The shoulder straps are comfotable even with the weight of 2 computers, cords and misc crap in the other compartments. I also have a small camera case and some tool bage clipped to the various attachment points on the pack. There are 2 elastic net type side pouches that fit a bottle of water in each. Fully laden for work, I probably have about 4lbs of stuff in this and have no problem going up stairs, ladders etc. Really just cant say how much I enjoy using this & on occasion, I have emptied all my work stuff out and used it as a week-end bag too. I would definitely buy another one when it is time for a replacement, but I dont see that happening soon. Maybe Ill buy a spare, just in case they stop making this exact model of backpack....