Up until recently, I’ve been carrying around my stuff in a ratty old backpack that I’ve had since high school. I’m a pretty practical guy, so as far as hauling around my stuff goes, appearance isn’t that important. I didn’t mind it looking shabby, but after seven years of good times together, it became obvious that our relationship was drawing to a close. My trusty old backpack just didn’t have the structural integrity to safely transport my possessions anymore. I went looking for a replacement, something practical that could last me another seven years, and with the Targus Rolling Backpack, I think I’ve found it.
When I bought this backpack, the sheer strength and durability of it was obvious. This is a bag that can take some beating! Practicality and endurance were the main factors in my decision to buy this bag, and I have to say I’m not disappointed. I’ve had it for three months, used it every day, thrown it around and generally abused it. It’s showing no signs of wear at all. There’s not a scratch on it. Durable isn’t the word, more like invincible! I’m pretty impressed, and I could easily see it lasting just as long as my old backpack, if not longer.
Ok, so it’s not the prettiest bag in the world. It’s not going to win any awards on the catwalks at Milan, but that doesn’t matter. It’s still pretty stylish, and it won’t make you look like a tourist. Black goes with everything, or so my girlfriend tells me!
The amount of stuff you can fit in this thing is staggering. I travel a lot for business, so it’s important to keep all my things in one place, and I can fit everything I need in here. The main compartment is perfect for storing files, and easily has room for a big stack of documents without having to fold them. I keep a pretty thick lever arch file binder in here, as well as my daily newspaper, and there’s plenty of room to spare. For my job I usually need to carry around a lot of documentation, and this compartment adequately fits the bill.
The top front pocket is fantastic for my iPod because it has a super soft protective lining. I can even put my spare pair of glasses in there without worrying about the lenses getting scratched. They come out cleaner than when they went in! A few years ago I accidentally scratched the polarized coating off a pair of expensive Oakley sunglasses in a bag, so I’m very wary about how I store my glasses. As soon as I felt the inside of this pocket, I knew they’d be safe in there. It’s like soft silk!
There’s also a bottom front pocket, where I keep all my business essentials. It has a neat little holder for my business cards, and loops to safely store pens. There’s easily enough room for my trusty notepad, and there’s also a little pocket just the right size for the CD portfolios I carry around to give to clients.
On one side, there’s a great side pocket that’s big enough to carry any miscellaneous items I might pick up along the way, and on the other side there’s a mesh pocket to keep a water bottle in. I live in a pretty hot climate, so it’s really handy to have somewhere to put water where I won’t worry about it spilling all over my important documents.
The best thing about this bag though is the laptop section. It has a padded, removable slipcase to keep your laptop in safely. I never used to have a laptop, but it’s an absolutely essential item of equipment now, and it’s great to have a dedicated place to store it. I keep my Acer AspireOne netbook inside, but there’s plenty of room for a full sized laptop up to 15.4-inch screen size. The compartment is padded, tough and durable, so you can be sure your expensive computer equipment will be safe inside.
This bag is fantastic for carrying around a laptop. When you look at the design it’s clear that it was designed with laptop users in mind. The side pocket is the perfect size for a charger, and there’s even a small net pocket inside for a mouse or any other accessories you might need to carry. The durable exterior of the bag keeps your laptop safe, and the PVC lining keeps the interior dry even in the most harsh weather conditions. It’s absolutely perfect.
Of course, with all that storage and a laptop inside, when the bag is full it’ll get pretty heavy. That’s why it’s great that Targus built in a telescopic handle and neat in-line skate wheels on the bottom. That means instead of carrying your bag on your shoulders, you can wheel it behind you on the ground. Now, this feature isn’t perfect for bumpy roads. You might find the bag rocks back and forth, making it hard to drag behind you. On smooth airport floors, however, it glides effortlessly, making this bag ideal for travellers. When you’re rolling the bag behind you, the shoulder straps tuck away perfectly.
If you live in a bumpy area or you’re only going to be carrying the bag on your shoulders, you might find the telescopic carrying mechanism adds a bit of extra weight and space that isn’t strictly necessary, but the entire construction is made of lightweight metal which means you’ll hardly notice.
So, quick recap:
This bag is incredibly strong.
It’s stylish and practical.
It has a vast amount of different storage options for all kinds of items and devices.
It’s perfect for carrying a laptop.
It has a great rolling mechanism that makes it easy to transport even when fully loaded.
Overall, the Targus Rolling Backpack is a fantastic purchase. It’s exactly what I was looking for. Whether it’s rolling behind me or on my shoulders, it carries everything I need effortlessly. If you’re looking for a durable, practical bag to carry a laptop, then there’s no better bag. It’s a must buy!