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

Wow, this backpack is the best! I had ordered 2 different packs from LL Bean to replace a 13-year old JanSport laptop backpack thats finally coming apart. Neither of the LL Bean ones were big enough for me, despite sounding as-big or bigger than this one. And this pack offers SO much more padding for my laptop. I LOVE the separate laptop compartment and the HUGE main compartment. In the LL Bean packs, the laptop sleeve was inside the main compartment, so it took up a lot of main compartment space. To compare them more specifically, this packs main compartment is the same depth as LL Beans largest capacity laptop backpacks entire depth. For example, the main compartment of the SA1923 holds my SLR camera case -- with my laptop in its separate compartment with room to spare. Not possible in the LL Bean models. To provide more of a description than what is above, this packs bottom front pocket has all the pen holders and other organizing pockets. The top front pocket is one large thin pocket. The two side pockets are deep and very cool. The water bottle holders are very well-made -- I think theyre double-lined or perhaps just use a really nice, thick mesh material. There is a small pocket hanging from the top back of the main compartment for your iPod/phone, etc. and a headphone cord hole just above that. On the outside, the hole comes out under and slightly behind the large, sturdy handle. The straps and back material are very nicely padded. And the pack is the perfect height for petite (51) me -- other packs hit the back of my neck when I looked up, but not this one. Finally, the quality of materials is REALLY nice all around. I cant tell you how excited I am to have finally found my new backpack after over a month of searching and trying out different models. Dont hesitate, this is a great find!

I have used many different types of laptop bags usually over the shoulder Tumi or Targus laptop bags throughout my career. I started to notice that my back was starting to hurt and the doctor said that it was probably from lugging my laptop around. He suggested that I try a backpack style bag. I tried several brands of backpack style laptop bags which truthfully mostly work the same in that it puts the weight on both shoulders. However, I liked how the pocket compartments were in this SwissGear. I also really like the ScanSmart system whereby I can just unzip the backpack and it folds flat to expose the laptop without having to take it out. There are 2 file compartments for putting file folders in. There are 2 pockets on each side which can be used for a water bottle or other miscellaneous items. The outer pocket has a fairly generous amount of space. The only thing I would have liked would have been another zippered compartment inside the outside pouch. But this is a minor technicality and I would highly recommend this backpack!

A very, very nice backpack. Sturdy, well made, and plenty of pockets to keep things organized. I particularly like the laptop pocket with the side zipper (makes it really easy to get in and out and the location of the zipper makes that compartment easy to find, two things I would have never thought to look for but really make a difference) and the way you can open the bag all the way up (without spilling your contents everywhere) to avoid taking the laptop when traveling is simply a great innovation. This really is a top notch backpack that has everything I need for work. when searching for things I dont like about it, I have to get really nit-picky. I would say the front compartment which would normally hold pens and business cards and such just seems off. The slots are an odd size and things dont fit great in it. However, there is a netted pocket inside the main compartment that is great for small things and thats where I keep my pens and other junk. Also, the side pockets are pretty small, so my mouse and charger are a tight fit, but in the end, they do fit. Obviously, these are very, very minor drawbacks to an otherwise stellar backpack and I would recommend this bag to anyone interested in a well made, professionally minded, nice looking backpack, especially considering the price. Ive had worse backpacks that cost twice as much (if not more!)

Had this for about 8 months and so far it has performed well.No problems to report. I use it for work and travel for work. It holds my laptop easily. Had a 15 laptop and it held it no problem. Now I have a smaller one and it swims in the pocket. Can easily fit a tablet or even 2 laptops. Havent tried the TSA friendly feature as I have pre check. There are enough pockets for for all of the stuff I carry. One thing I might change are the side mesh water bottle holders. When there is stuff in the zipper pockets next to the mesh pockets, it is hard to get a large water bottle in there or a thermos. Smaller water bottle fits ok. Im happy with it. Update: Been using this backpack now for 5 years. Traveled past 5 years for work with last 2 years solid travel and after several hundred flights and 3 continents, this backpack is still going strong. Showing very little wear. Zippers all in good condition, handles still secure and attached. Easily holds my laptop and an iPad. Still havent tried the TSA feature as Ive always had pre check. I honestly did not expect to still be using this after 5 years but I think I will get at least another 3 years out of it before I simply get tired of it and buy something new just to buy something new. Cant ask for too much more out of a backpack than I asked of this one. Update 2022: This backpack is still going strong. I added a new continent in 2022 with 2 trips to Australia, one to Korea and several trips to Europe. It is only showing the slightest bit of wear and only on the inside. It must be nearing a million miles of travel by now along with daily trips to the office when I’m not traveling. I don’t know if they still make this model but if they do, it’s a great durable everyday travel backpack

I cant tell you how excited I am this bag is in the Gold Box on Amazon! Totally getting a new one despite trepidation to retire the old one... I travel a lot and have had a bag nearly identical to this model 1923 for a while. Its been all over the USA and throughout the World with me. It is not only incredibly durable but has easy to reach pockets for everything. The ScanSmart is great for airports who allow it. The trim is reflective which am pretty sure saved my butt when I was walking through a back alley in France last month... blasted scooters. This bag has stories, many stories. Its the most interesting bag in the world and has been the best backpack Ive ever owned. After years of severe abuse; here are my notes on this bag: Note: I give this 5 stars on account of the fact that its outlasted any other bag Ive owned: Pros: Durability: Seriously, over 150k miles Ive traveled with this bag... Its still intact. And I didnt buy it, I found it on the side of a rubbish bin full of junk from China. So yeah, dont judge me for dumpster diving when I saw something I knew would be awesome, despite its likely use in an Asian drug deal or hostage exchange! It gained a new life as my travel companion. The Small top/outer pocket: This little bugger will hold 82 Euro in change with room for train tickets and is still so easy to get to you can grab a Euro on the fly without removing the pack and the zipper prevents loss of contents. (Actual reach ability will vary on your flexibility and length of arms) Airflow: It didnt make my back all sweaty carrying it all day on a hot late spring afternoon wandering the streets in Amsterdam. Its also very comfortable to wear and didnt give me trouble despite many long walks and hikes including a 35 km jaunt around Paris holding 2 days worth of clothes, trinkets, laptop and a large camera. Pockets galore: The little pocket inside, labeled as an MP3 pocket is a flap pocket that very nicely holds anything you want to get at easily... such as headphones like I use it for. Especially useful when in tight spaces like a tiny plane seat where disturbing the large smelly man asleep next to you on an Inter-European commuter flight could result in disastrous consequences. Yet another time this bag likely saved my life. Rugged handle: The Handle at the top is not only useful for lifting the bag and easily retrieving it from overhead bins, It will save your life by providing something for someone to grab onto when you slip on a gangplank exiting a channel ferry in Belgium and prevent you from entering cold icy waters of the Rhine in mid winter. Cons: Zippers: While the actual pulls are metal and will last a million years the tracks are plastic, very durable but after an encounter with a rogue hatch on a train in Germany, the zipper on one of the pockets would stick on the track. This was abuse, not manufacturing defect. Any other bag would have be unusable at that point, I just stopped opening the pocket all the way until it finally came undone in LA leaving only one of the two pulls on the track. (Looking forward to the new one to use that pocket again!) Inside Liner: After its encounter with a garbage bin which brought this pack to me, I had to wash it. The inside lining of the bag came apart. Maybe a toss through the industrial dryer on high wasnt a good idea despite the germ/smell killing benefits. If you get dumpster residue on yours; it will take a wash, just hang it up to dry as I did on subsequent washes. (Its endured at least 3 washing machine visits since Ive had it) Bottle Pockets: The mesh pockets on the side are great but the elastic will fail eventually and cause you to lose your water bottle somewhere in Paris and leave you parched after that amazing ham and cheese street-crepe, curse you worn out elastic. The above mentioned dryer encounter likely didnt help the elasticity. Summary: Buy this bag! It will save your life several times and endure some of the most harsh beatings you could ever imagine while containing all of your vital travel items and mementos on the way and at the same time protecting your laptop. I hope the new one will accumulate as many stories and adventures as the old one has.

Want to make a fashion statement? Looking for something to coordinate with this years in color? Going to fish for compliments while you strut down the sidewalk? This is not your backpack. I have had this thing since 2010 and its been stowed in the car, in numerous overhead bins, under the seat, in the closet. All the while it has protected my laptop and the rest of the contents well. I have zero complaints about this backpack and I would absolutely buy it again. The separate pocket for a laptop has been a great feature during airport security screens. Also the size and shape of the numerous pockets has been a big help. Ive even found use for the carabiner. The handle on top is great, too. I never fumble for it and the grip is extremely secure. For me its just the right size to pull out from under the seat in front on a plane, tuck it behind my knees, and stretch out a little after takeoff. After 6 plane trips, a bunch of car rides, and just general tossing around it shows zero wear. Buy it.

I havent bought a new backpack since middle school. Im in my sixth year of college and still using the same backpacks. Although Ive tried to be frugal, I wanted to look for something that was comfortable for my back and shoulders for long school days and that didnt have holes in it. =] This is the first backpack Ive ever bought over $20, but I think it is really worth it. This semester has been made very easy and comfortable with this bp. I love the handle, at first I wondered if it would look goofy ^-^, but its great for picking up easily, or hanging onto a bathroom stall hook, or on any hooks really. (Your friends will probably yank on it though while its on you...) The straps are very cushioned on my shoulders and I have much less back/shoulder strain. The few times Ive carried my laptop in this backpack, I wondered if I remembered to put it in, because my backpack felt too light. Bottom line, sorry this is so long, and I do not regret buying this. Its helped me become more organized and I know exactly where every item is, so I dont feel as flaky or like a spaz. On an insignificant side note, I also feel a little more professional at school, which is new for me, I usually have holes in my backpacks, socks, and shoes :D

I received this bag as a gift to replace my old backpack. I went to look it up a little and I was at first kind of confused about the solidity of the materials. Even though SwissGear is a well-known brand, I wasnt sure about its ability to make bags. But it has been 6 months now, and even though I always pack my bag at its limits, it is still in a really good condition, so I was gladly surprised and figured that I would come here and rate it to share my comments about it. First of all, the main pocket is quite wide and will take all your books without any problems whatsoever. The front bottom pocket is really useful to put all your small items, I personally use it for my chargers. The back pockets are perfect for a laptop and/or a tablet. I used the side pockets to put some small bottles. The side pockets with zipper wont serve a lot if you put bottles though, but its not that big of an issue since its up to you to choose what you want those pockets to be used for. I would then gladly recommend this item and if its still going in that direction, I may certainly use the same as its future replacement.

The backpack is nice and seems very well made, but the focus is clearly on the laptop compartment. The compartment for books and other gear seems more like an afterthought. Padding is nice, and there are two drink holders on the sides, but I find that the drinks often pop out of the holders if you throw you backpack onto the passenger seat of your car. The main compartment looks small, but so far Ive been able to fit a decent amount of gear in there, in addition to the laptop. I havent tried the smart scan feature yet, but Ill report back when I do. I only wish there were more small pockets for putting things like your headphones, micro USB charge cable, mini display port adapters and other wires to keep them separate. Not to mention holders for pens and pencils. As is, I tend to put them all in one compartment and when I go to take them out, the wires are all tangled. One thing I have liked so far is that it includes sleeves in the main compartment for keeping individual books, folders, envelopes, and papers separated. That way, you can remove and reinsert individual items without the risk of accidentally crushing a report that was already in your bag when you go to stuff something new in there. Also, the side pocket makes it easy to insert and remove your laptop without disturbing the other contents. Overall, it has a few weaknesses, but its suited my purposes well, which is primarily toting my laptop back and forth to work, and in the future taking it on travel.

So as the title says, I would like to specifically address the topic of the size of this backpack. Ive read MULTIPLE reviews that say it will fit a Dell XPS 17 (which is about 17.4). Within 10 mins after I post this review, I should have two pictures up for you, showing you the fit of the XPS 17 and another of the tag that says Fits up to a 15 laptop. So, if you are willing to struggle a bit, it actually will fit the Dell XPS 17 laptop, but this is EXTREMELY tight. Its just trying to squeeze that one last corner. If you have a laptop that is just 1/2 an inch or more smaller, I feel positive it would fit. Sadly, without a struggle and the risk of breaking the zipper or scratching the laptop corner, I just cant safely say youd want this backpack for a 17 laptop. Now to confirm the other reviews, it is a great backpack. It feels sturdy, strong, and has plenty of space. It fits my large 32 oz waterbottle in either side as well. Two small pockets on the front, one with place for ipod and the other with spaces for pens/pencils. Two pockets on either side, underneath the waterbottle holders. These pockets are about 3/4 the height of the whole backpack, so nice to fit many things. Then three main pockets, one for the laptop, one thin one, probably only paper/folders would fit here. And then the last one is fairly big, enough so to hold a large textbook, binders, etc. So a great backpack for anyone with a laptop under 17.