So I bought a new Dell laptop recently—must blog while traveling—and now am searching for a suitable laptop bag. Imagine my happy surprise in finding that laptop bag manufacturers have picked up on the fact that women might like to carry something more attractive than the usual black vinyl velcro monsters. Side note: I don’t see why women are the only ones who might appreciate an attractive laptop bag. Surely there are men who’d like something besides black?
At any rate, there are now bags in all kinds of colors and shapes, some unbearably feminine and some unbearably expensive. My favorite is Mobile Edge’s Chocolate Suede Tote, pricy at $169, but oh so luscious.
Here are a few ladies’ bag manufacturers to check out:
My big complaint, however, is that apparently we women are supposed to carry the itty-bitty laptops. Almost none of the bags I found will actually fit a 17” laptop. My feminist side wants to jump to the conclusion that the laptop bag manufacturers don’t think ladies do serious computing, but to be fair I suppose there are a fair number of standard laptop bags that also don’t fit 17” laptops. The search continues.
UPDATE: I found the Mobile Edge Chocolate Suede Tote at the Fry’s Electronics store in Burbank, and brought my laptop into the store to try it. They have several sizes, but the largest will actually hold my 17”, as long as I don’t try to put it into the pouch they put into the bag for holding laptops. The bag is quite padded, however, so I’ve been able to use it with no problem, and have actually removed the padded pouch completely. The bag looks terrific and gets lots of compliments, and best of all—looks nothing like a laptop bag. One warning: fully loaded, it’s darn heavy!
There are only a handful of 17” sized laptop bags anyways. So don’t feel bad.
I’ve got a 17” Mobile Edge that I love (it’s incredibly well desinged and versatile).
They do have some ladies products, though they don’t say size: http://www.mobileedge.com/products.asp?cid=6&scid=6.
Oooh that’s the Dell I covet! Sorry, though I don’t have any advice...those look at Levenger.com...they’re always a good place to look.
I too just bought a Dell blogging machine.
I’ll be shopping for the bag next-- very timely post.
Did you check these out?
robert, i have checked out lalalaptop, but they are way out of my price-range! it’s nice to see they’re an option, though.
Hey - check out Kolobags (http://www.kolobags.com/index.php) and Acme Made (http://www.acmemade.com/)
Susannah, I’ve been really happy with this Swiss Army case… my 17” gateway fits it perfectly.
It’s cheap, too.. $40.
True, it’s mostly black, but the color gives it a little flair.
Griff
Note from Susannah: I edited this comment to change the URL to a shorter one.
Check out Pinder: http://www.pinderbags.com
They have lots of colors and carry a sleek simple design.
I LOVE PINDER
Oh, I forgot to mention that Pinder has colorful laptop cases for 17” laptops:
Check out http://www.she-tech.com/. They design laptop cases for women. I got a beautiful, stylish case from them last year.
I shopped around a lot but found that Kolobags has the most choices. I bought my Adrienne Vittadini there… and I adore it!!! http://kolobags.com/product.php?productid=104&cat=0&page=1
So, I too like the bag you selected. And I recently purchased a new 17” laptop myself (http://tinyurl.com/68mvj). My question is, does the Adrienne Vittadini hold your laptop well? The description of the bag states that it fits most 15” laptops.
How comfortable are the straps? I carry my laptop with me everywhere I go.
Note from Susannah: I edited this comment to change the URL to a shorter one.
I am going nuts surfing the net for a feminine, but professional laptop bag for 17”...need help
Susana Borrero,
I also puchased the adrienne vittadini monte carlo travel tote referenced in comment 11. And I love it. It’s stylish, sturdy, and roomy. Check it out.
I designed a website for http://ginabinternational.com.
Gina designs beautiful laptop handbags. You can contact her through the site for more info on how to purchase these delicious bags!
I’ve found the best source. Unfortunatly for me i just bought a whopper widescreen format lap top and they don’t make the bags big enough. Check out http://www.acmemade.com They also have great I-pod covers as well.
Hi- I have a 17” laptop that I keep in it’s padded sleeve, but I put it in a great tote I found online: http://www.nealdecker.com lots of great fabrics and colrs, etc.
I found this site that has colorful sleeves. They’re only for the laptop, no room for accessories, but I got a cool lime green colored sleeve from them. http://www.rainebrooke.com
I just bought a great laptop bag that has a removable laptop case (two in one). The bag is by Alex Grant Bags and I got the Skye in gunmetal metallic leather. Handbag styling and great for traveling. http://www.agbstore.com
Shameless plug: you can find several bags for 17” laptops at http://www.viragobags.com - try the indestructable Z-Attache or KaraB messenger.
I recently bought a really great bag from Frances & Grace laptop bags. It’s the Ives Bag in Moss. It’s conservative enough for me but still has a splash of color. I can fit everything in there and don’t have to carry another bag now when I travel.
I like these:
Urbanebags.com carries fashionable laptop bags for women from several well known designers. Most bags are in stock and can ship within 24 hours.
Brands carried:
Gina B
Talene Reilly
Frances & Grace
Liz Soto
Mixx, Inc.
Abbi New York
Andalossi
Ju-Ju-Be (Fashionable Diaper Bags)
Another shameless plug—I offer custom, padded laptop bags in cotton fabrics.
http://www.etsy.com/view_item.php?listing_id=456968
Rushfaster in Australia has a great Laptop Bag Search which actually lets you search for laptop bags that fit your laptop model. All you have to do is choose you laptop model from the drop down and then select women’s laptop bags and it will find all the girly laptop bags that are guaranteed to fit your laptop. They also ship internationally. P.S. they have THE BEST pics on the net.
I also like Kolobags for their personal attention. They have a really wide selection of brands, styles of laptop cases (laptop briefcases, laptop laptop backpacks, laptop laptop totes, laptop sleeves, etc) as well as designer ipod cases, camera cases and other accessories.
Their selection of 17” cases can be found at:
http://www.kolobags.com/home.php?cat=14
A shameless plug but hopefully it’s helpful to you. Mobile Edge offers free padded inserts for 17” notebooks for customers who’ve bought our Ultra Totes (like Susannah’s Chocolate Suede Tote).
lewis, that’s great! thanks for letting us all know.
susannah.
You should definitely check out http://www.markaonline.com. They just came out
with several new styles for 17” computers. The company has been around for
3 years and I own several of their bags. They’re expensive, but the quality
is better than Coach and worth every penny, i.e. will last forever. They
also aren’t just laptop bags- I use mine for traveling or as an everyday
tote when I’m not carrying my powerbook.
Check out http://www.itopad.com they have laptop pads that can fit into any laptop bag. I bring mine along wherever I go. It is efficient and very ight in weight. I didn’t know what I was mising all along until I got the itopad.Check it out.
p
I bought a couple of bags at Beachtown Bags that fit my 17” computer. I save the pricier Frances & Grace one for business meetings and when I want to be noticed. The cheaper one for everyday at the office. Check out http://www.beachtownbags.com
K
Thanks so much for the information! I will be getting my Inspiron 1720 soon, and I desperately need something more feminine to hold it!
Hi,
I wanted to introduce our brand NIKKI CHU. We are an independent brand from Los Angeles.
Just a bit about the line:
The Nikki Chu brand is a line of luxury business accessories for women, that fashionably blend design
with function. We design and manufactures laptop bags, handbags, and accessories for the growing
women’s luxury market. The line of bags and totes are exactly what women have been asking for:
design, function, and affordability.
The self-empowered fashionable business woman demands quality and a product that will fill the
void of a world full of “black nylon” business bags. With technology taking the lead, Nikki Chu intends
to follow. As we work our way into a wireless world, more women will be toting their laptops alongside
their baby carriages.
Your blog is a handbag lovers bible! And I forward it to all my friends who love handbags as much as I do.
Feel free to check out the website (http://www.nikkichubags.com) and see all the products that we produce.
If you are compelled to write about my business or my bags. I will provide you with whatever items you need to
facilitate that. I am also interested in possibly providing a bag or some accessories to your readers as a contest
or give-away, let me know if that is of any interest to you.
Keep up the fabulous BLOGGING, I hope to make a connection with you.
Sincerely,
Nikki Chu
http://www.nikkichubags.com • http://www.nikkichu.com
____________________________
D E S I G N C O R P O R A T I O N
5850 WEST 3RD. STREET #144
LOS ANGELES, CA 90036
213.804.6736
Good bag!! I also found at CouponAlbum site many big size of handbags at discounted price…
Another attempt to shamelessly self promote, Tucker & Bloom bags are the culmination of 25 years of bag design in the handbag and luggage industry for many of the top tier brands. Our mission is to provide organization with style, for people who need their tech products but want to make a different impression with their
bags. Give us a look at http://www.tucker-bloom.com: features / function and made in America.
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