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

I bought this bag to replace a travel carry on I had. Funny how once I got to the airport that I noticed 50% of the travelers had Swiss Gear backpacks. Good sign. I bought this bag for my GF who is a Flight Attendant and she loved it. Anyway, it has pockets to keep all your stuff separate and organized. Everything is pretty easy to get into. The handle on top is great. On the left shoulder strap it has a band that you slide your sunglasses into to hold. That was the coolest. Why I didnt give 5 stars. It has a bit of weight to the bag even when empty. But, that is because it is a good quality bag. Just sayin. My only suggestion is to put your own tag or ribbon on it because everyone has one of these bags and they all look alike.

I just got the item a few days back - it seems to be exactly as per my expectations (and the description on the site). It is spacious, and well suited for my day-to-day needs. Ill need to use it for a couple more months to provide a more detailed feedback, but here are some initial observations: 1. The middle chain that opens the bag completely should be really helpful for airport security checks - hopefully Ill not have to remove my laptop and can just pass in the bag opened up. 2. The section in the front is spacious enough to hold a couple of books (books totaling 2 inches in thickness) and a tablet. 3. I can fit my 13 macbook pro comfortable in the laptop section at the back with a lot of room to spare. I think a 15 laptop would easily fit too. Not so sure about 17 4. Lots of small pockets / room for accessories - cables, connectors, pen-drives, travel adaptors, cameras (My GoPro has a nice fitting place inside) etc. 5. Very comfortable on shoulder. No negatives so far, except that I would like a red+black dual color version of the bag (Searched at many places, but this particular one comes only in all-black).

I dont normally write reviews but I read them often. I bought this based on the great reviews, the SwissGear name, and the nearly 50% discounted price at the time. One thing I did not see in the reviews but I think is very important to anyones satisfaction with a backpack is the ease of access, specifically how easily can the user open the various compartments to access their stuff. For the most part this pack does a great job of this with quality hardware and well designed placement of the compartments/pockets. However, there was one oversight in the design that draws my attention almost every time I open the pack. The main compartment has a dual zipper that has to pass the ends of another zipper of a smaller pocket on the front of the pack. The stiff ends of the smaller zipper are too close to the main compartment zipper and therefore impede the operation of the main compartment zipper without manually readjusting the zippers with 2 hands. A slightly wider gap at these 2 locations would have made the zippers function flawlessly without compromising the overall look of the pack. Modifying this myself to correct the problem would result in possible damage to the pack. As an engineer I have a hard time overlooking such a design oversight when the rest of the pack is of such high quality. Maybe my pack has a manufacturing defect causing this and that is why it did not come to my attention when browsing the other reviews. Its just something to be aware of. Hopefully SwissGear reads this review and can make sure the problem does not persist.

Im on my second of these backpacks, the first lasted 3 years before a zipper started to give out - see my only gripe below. The biggest attraction of these backpacks is the Scansmart feature. This allows you to leave your laptop in the dedicated compartment during TSA screening. The whole bag clam-shells open so that the laptop portion is by itself with the top portion being a see through mesh. There are plenty of compartments in this bag - plenty of room for just about anything you might need as carryon. I typically travel with a laptop and a netbook (the netbook has to come out, unfortunately), both power supplies (the laptop one is *huge*) a special control surface, cables, mice and all the typical kipple of a business traveler. It typically runs 30-35 pounds loaded, which is the main source of my single complaint. My laptop is 17.3 desktop replacement type and it barely fits. This ends up with a stress point on the zipper in the upper corner, which is only made worse by the excess weight. The zipper teeth finally developed a problem with letting loose in that area, so I replaced the bag. If you dont push the limits like this, this bag should last you indefinitely. Even if you do, its still a good choice - it took 3 solid years of abuse before it started to fail. I cant decide whether to order my next bag now and mothball it, or hope they come out with a slightly larger one in the next 3 years.

My husband loves this backpack!

I really like the backpack as a backpack/computer bag for work. Plenty of space in the main pocket for my lunch cooler and whatever else I want to pack. The unfoldable laptop compartment is helpful when travelling, however, there is no luggage strap. Its very annoying because most TSA Friendly Business backpacks have an integrated strap for attaching to a rolling suitcase. The bag would be PERFECT if it had a luggage strap. Edit: To provide a bit more information about the Swiss Gear SA1923 Black TSA Friendly Scan Smart Back Pack - I am still using this product on a daily basis to carry my work items (laptop, lunch, medications, etc). Even with the constant abuse, I have yet to notice any signs of premature wear and tear. The bag is just as solid as the day I bought it. I have received multiple compliments on it in the workplace asking where I bought it and how I like it. Would definitely recommend as a work bag.

I have been using this backpack for almost a year now and I am really happy with the purchase. Swiss Gear makes great backpacks and is well worth spending the extra money to have a durable backpack that will last you for a very long time. I can manage to fit a lot of things in it without any issue for school or when I am going out on a trip. There is a lot of space and can put an extra laptop or device in it. There are plenty of compartments to it.

I needed to replace my old laptop backpack and noticed many colleagues using the SwissGear line. The difficulty in ordering one of these on-line is that there are a number of variations and the differences are subtle. From everything I could learn an all websites, including Amazon, there were 2 models I was interested in. the SA1923 (this one) and the SA1900. The photos are misleading. They are not necessarily unique to those specific models. I had to order both packs and compare in-hand and send the one back that I didnt fit my needs. The only difference between these 2 models, besides the color, is this one has a full width pocket for a slim folder or notebook opposite the laptop compartment in the section that opens up to lie flat on the airports scanning conveyor. The SA1900 has a compartment for an iPad in that location. All other compartments and sections of the pack are identical. The pack is roomy and can old a lot. Probably more than I really want to carry. My only complaint is I wish it had just a couple of other small zippered sections inside for small miscellaneous items often needed on business trips (e.g. medications, snacks, sunglasses or reading glasses, etc.). Also, keep in mind access to the laptop compartment is one side only (right side while wearing the pack). The zipper goes from the top of the pack down the right side only. There are other models in this line that are smaller and more simple. If the features each offer is important, just dont rely on the pictures if they seem to be the same as other models.

This is my second backpack like this. The first was stolen out of our rental car. It has so many pockets and is great for travel. It fits under the seat in front of you in airplanes. I usually haul my camera, iPad, one or two lenses and many other necessities needed on a trip. Side pockets hold a water bottle Little pockets inside are good for headphones, medicine, change. Use front pocket for items needed immediately such as wallet and passport. There is a separate zippered area for your laptop and you can throw a lightweight jacket in there too. It has traveled to Australia, London and Paris and it looks brand new still. The biggest drawback about this backpack is the weight. I dont know how much it weighs, but its pretty heavy.

Ive had this backpack for 7+ years now. The best Ive ever had. No issues and everyone seems to want one, including my wife. I had a zipper issue that it went off the track, but easily fixed. I was so nervous Id not be able to fix it and checked out that they have a 3-5 year warranty, 10 if you buy right from their website (not amazon). If this was unrepairable, Id be getting another swissgear backpack - no doubt. Great product and lasted the test of time from travel, work, etc.