Review: Brenthaven Pro15/17 backpack

I carry my 15-inch Apple PowerBook pretty much everywhere I go. Until recently I used a standard leather shoulder bag to lug my gear. But when the seams started to give way, the zipper broke, and my neck finally couldn’t take it anymore I decided to trade up to a Brenthaven Pro15/17 backpack.

I found out about Brenthaven bags because they make padded sleeves custom fitted for the Apple iBooks that we use in our 1-to-1 program. Those sleeves have performed flawlessly and Brenthaven’s customer support has been top-notch. So after taking a look at one of the backpacks up close and personal I placed my order.

The backpack is perfect for the way I work. I ride a motorcycle pretty regularly when the weather’s nice, so a backpack is ideal. With all of the pouches inside (and there’s even one made to fit your iPod perfectly) my cables, adaptors, and other portable electronics each have their own cozy compartment which has eliminated the tangled mess that used to inhabit my old shoulder bag. I also love the low-profile shape of the backpack. I don’t worry that I’m going to knock someone over if I turn around too quickly.

You’re not going to find a Brenthaven bag at your local Wal-Mart; at $179 it’s far from the cheapest bag around. But with a lifetime guarantee, enough padding to protect your laptop from all but the worst drops, and excellent design, I’d say it’s money well spent.