BrenthavenÕs popular Switch MB's are now available for iPad and NetBooks. Features a dedicated iPad/notebook compartment custom fit for iPad ad 7"-10" computers. Reversible and interchangeable flap makes this unique satchel a sure winner for iPad and netbook users. Sleek, Stylish, Protective and plenty of storage for iPad and netbook accessories.
Good for iPad alsoJune 26, 2010 Gary White(Minneapolis, MN USA) Just perfect for my iPad. I checked several other cases designed specifically for the iPad and they were all too frail (no real protection). Padding on both sides gives good shock protection. I can also stow my iPod and other accessories conveniently.
One of the better Netbook/Kindle DX bagsDecember 30, 2009 A. Dent(Minas Anor, GD) I will rate this little messenger bag as a top choice product for anyone with a netbook (or a Kindle DX) that needs to travel. In addition to providing protection to the netbook itself, it comes with additional pockets, an adjustable shoulder strap and a 2-styles reversible flap. Of course, not everything is perfect. While the extra pockets do allow for bringing along the extra wires, thumb drives and so on, the Brenthaven has no provisions for carrying the netbook's DC adapter or 8.5"x11" papers unless folded. In addition, and this may not mean much to anyone else, I was a little unimpressed by some of Brenthaven's more strident 'zero impact' claims.
DESIGN AND QUALITY
Near 100% of this bag is high-quality, high resistance synthetic materials. So far, I was unable to identify any potential weak spots, prone to breaking or tearing. It can probably easily accommodate a multiple of the maximum weight anyone is ever likely to carry.
I liked the easily-adjustable but non-removable shoulder strap - it's really the only way you can carry your load. I was also a little surprised to see ONE handle on the back of the bag because I can't think of any situation where I would use it.
The bag looks quite stylish in a unisex way and the 2-style flap allows some flexibility in looks. Additional flaps are available at the Web side, if you are willing to pay almost as much for the 'extra' as you did for the whole bag. Most extra flaps are just different color and texture combinations but I did notice the G.I.Joe option that comes with a few extra pockets on the flap.
FUNCTIONALITY AND ERGONOMICS
The bag is 10.5" wide, 12.5" tall and about 2" thick. The above dimensions make it a perfect fit for most netbooks. The computer compartment comes with some VERY effective padding that should offer pretty good protection. The bottom pads are especially thick but the walls and corners come with some serious reinforcements too. These combined with the tight fit should make the Brenthaven product one of the better if not the best netbook case when it comes to protecting it from falls or other shocks.
The bag comes with a number of additional pocket. On the side covered by the flap, there is a zippered pocket that goes 2/3 the height of the body and an 'open' pocket with holders for 2 pens and what could be credit cards. On the opposite side, there is a Velcroed pocket that is not so easily accessible. Between these 3, one can carry along little wires, thumb drives, some papers but there is no room for a DC adapter or anything that's fragile other than the netbook itself. 8.5"x11"
papers must be 'squeezed' to fit in the open pocket but they won't fit in easily - European design?.
The bag is light enough to be a comfortable or tolerable load on the shoulder, even when loaded. However, the shoulder strap is NOT padded.
MARKETING CLAIMS
A card that comes with the bag claims that the bag has 'zero impact on the environment'. This is quite surprising for a bag that's nearly-100%, probably highly resistant to natural degradation plastic - and we all know where plastic comes from. It turns out that, if you register your purchase at their Web site and you provide some personal information, Brenthaven may buy some 'carbon credits'. Not clear why they won't buy them regardless and not clear how those credits would clean the air. Perhaps not having the bag 'Made in China' would have protected the environment better than buying some electronic credits and kept some of our fellow shoppers employed - surely, at this price, the bag could have been handmade in the US at a union shop and still be sold at a nice profit.
Another claim made is that there bag will have 'zero impact on your health' because the shoulder strap is padded - it is NOT - and because the handles distribute the weight across the entire hand - there are no handles, there's only one and it can't be used for anything practical.
Finally, there's a claim of 'zero impact' on the computer. As I stated already, this bag is VERY protective but I'm not sure what 'zero impact' means within this context. I surely hope that it won't harm my little netbook.
MY RATING
There are lots of things I like about this bag. It's very protective of my netbook, has a reasonable amount of extra pockets, it's light and it's made of high quality, strong materials. Not to mention the flippable flap.
On the 'not so cool' side, I would count the lack of storage for the AC adapter and the inability to accommodate 8.5"x11" paper. Had the bag been 1/4" wider this would not have been an issue.
In the end, I do like this bag because it delivers well on its main purpose - protect the netbook while being carried - and does it in style. I do not 'love' it because of the few shortcomings I noted and because I was a little surprised by the exaggerated marketing claims. The fair score for 'I like it' is 4 stars. My advice to Brenhaven: make it a little wider for the US version, fix the marketing, make it in the USA.
Cost Effective Insurance Against Dropping Your Netbook!December 2, 2009 Stephen R. Finney(Enid, OK USA) I have had my Brenthaven Switch Satchel for about a month now, and I love everything about it but it's esthetics. I didn't want it for it's looks, but wouldn't have minded it being all black or even a dark blue. The one thing outside of esthetic considerations that I would change is to either put in more powerful magnets on the flaps, or change to velcro fastners. The magnets aren't powerful enough to hold the flap in a significant windstorm. All that aside, this is a great way to transport and protect my netbook at the same time. I wouldn't sweat dropping my netbook from 3 feet (which is probably a greater fall than it would experience when it is slung over my shoulder) to the ground. As other reviews point out, this bag has plenty of stowage for cables and other things nice to carry around with a netbook. I keep a Western Digital Passport external hard drive, and a USB cable for my cell phone as well a miscellaneous things I might need at work, and all with leftover space. I thought well enough of this satchel to recommend it to the father of a co-worker who is receiving a Netbook for Christmas this year. He was concerned about her having something in which to carry her Netbook. I told him that while this isn't the cheapest possibility, it is the one I would recommend for it's ability to transport and protect the Netbook against an accidental collision with the ground. I highly recommend this satchel to anyone in need of a safe means of transporting their Netbook.
Love my netbag with small exceptionNovember 16, 2009 Carol(Chatsworth, CA United States) This really is a pretty bag and just the right size for my ASUS 10". The bag is well made and nicely padded. I feel it protects my netbook as well as larger bags with the convenience of the small size. There are several pockets inside for extras, like cables, cards and even a flat mini media player, though it is snug. I don't carry my power adapter because it's just too bulky and I'm afraid it puts too much pressure on the netbook, but it will fit.
Where the removable flap is nice; I use it for a lap pad when I have the netbook on my lap, and really rugged, padded and pretty. I find it a little difficult getting it on and off, but not so that I hesitate to take it off. My only complaint is that: if I choose to leave the flap off, to make the bag even smaller and lighter (since the flap has no pockets) I can't. The bag is unfinished under the flap. By that I mean, you can see only inside whitish lining and the inside pockets. It would have been nice if the exposed finishes were nice looking so that I could remove the flap and still have a nice looking bag.
All in all, it is way better than a foam, zipper pocket for the netbook and for the few extra dollars, offers a lot more options.
A sleek, cool case -- but a little too snug?November 5, 2009 Sean Hoade(Tuscaloosa, AL United States) This case looks fantastic and fits my 10.1" Samsung netbook PERFECTLY -- I have no worries that it's being jostled or could get damaged. It's really perfect for my (or your) netbook.
My only quibble is that I like to use a mouse with my netbook and there really isn't any room for it. There are very convenient compartments for cell ohones and iPods and the like, but a mouse makes the whole package seem unbalanced. I think maybe my solution would be to get one of those extra-tiny notebook mouses (mice?), so take the loss of one star with a grain of salt. This is a wonderful case -- reversible, rain-repellent, and one that gives great peace of mind if you worry about your precious netbook the way I do mine!
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