( 6 reviews )
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: May 7 2009
My requirements were simple: I wanted a bag that could 1. Convert between a backpack and shoulder strap 2. Look absolutely professional (e.g. not stick out while carrying with a suit) 3. Hold up to daily wear, rain, etc. No babysitting nice leather, etc. Reasons: Well, sometimes I carry a big musical instrument around the cities I live in, on public transportation. So I can't use a shoulder strap bag in this case, I have to use a backpack bag. But on the flip side, sometime I find myself in situations where a backpack just doesn't look very professional. (presenting in a board room, meeting high profile private donors, that cute girl who is looking for a sugar daddy business man but will fall for the musician once she meets him. anyway.) I needed a cross between a leather brief that would pass in the board room, and a bag that I could put on my back and forget about. The Targus Radius Convertible Messenger/Backpack TSB07701US is perfect. (check out the Sumdex Impulse for a smaller version) The metal zippers, fasteners, and rings all have a very classy finish and look to them. I could do w/o the olive-colored side trim (prefer all black), but the bag still looks great. I've carried it with a suit and it looks great. Back pack straps zip away seamlessly, are easy to get out, and are a lifesaver when carrying an old, heavy POS laptop! It has a side pocket with breathable mesh that is PERFECT for a small fold-up umbrella. You can stick your wet umbrella in there while riding the Metro, and the mesh will dry out during the day. This sounds like a small detail but it's REALLY nice to have a place to stick your wet umbrella when negotiating commuters, doors, your lunchbox, whatever. Somebody complained about the metal zippers clinking while walking. .... huh? Not a problem, here. Perhaps not a good bag for ninjas? Lots of sub-organizing pockets and mesh zipups on the outer compartment - it was the perfect air travel carry on, actually, to keep earplugs, airborne, travel itinerary, book, snacks, etc, all organized and within quick reach under the seat. It's designed for Apple crap: macbook, ipod, etc. It even has little cute pictures of your apple accessories on designated pockets. But it's not a walking apple advertisement, and it's great for all the non apple gear that I carry around. It's not the slightest annoyance, just funny to see the pictures ("Your ipod goes here. Your apple mouse goes here.") It's not ideal for holding larger, single items, most of the space is divided up to facillitate organization and to keep the shape of the bag. As far as looks, it will never pass for a black leather brief. I had to get used to the "vertical orientation" look. BUT, it looks just fine with a suit. So you can be functional, and a step ahead with the look. I feel kind of girly, paying so much attention to 'looks', but the fact is, you are judged on that stuff in the business world, even in a biz casual world, where messenger bags abound. Bravo to Targus for the attention and craftsmanship put into this bag. The amazon-ported retailer that I purchased from, Down Home Deals, gave me a complete run-around on the shipping. They had a crazy low price, but I paid for it in time and energy lost dealing with their shipping mistakes, and unapologetic, brusk communications. I gave a fair, non-inflamatory review (with low stars, of course) on Amazon, stating the simple facts, and then they came back to trash me in the response. I was surprised. Anyway. Moral of the story, I got a good product, but had to deal with a bad seller in the process, so buyer beware. I wouldn't take the chance if this item was a gift or needed in a hurry. (Btw, this bag is a great graduation gift, IMHO) For exhaustive researchers like myself, here are the options that I considerd. Prices will be out of date, surely: Sumdex Impulse Convertible Laptop Backpack Looks nice. Very sleek, business appropriate. zips closed at top Targus Radius Convertible Messenger/Backpack TSB07701US $90 Perfect, except doesn't look quite as good as the Sumdex impulse. But bigger. Alti-pac 35 deg (sumdex) $72 DOES NOT ZIP CLOSED AT TOP! Targus Element Convertible Notebook TBB001US $40 Grey, respectable. Top opening looks exposed to rain from sides?? Eagle Creek Convertabrief $125 msrp a little frumpy Day Timer Convertible Backpack $75 Tumi Convertible 15" Computer Messenger Backpack $225 Trager USA $110 Looks bulky (just like a backpack) Stm $60 too Thin looking Eddie Bauer?? Timberwood Convertible Bag - Palm Green b $40
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Posted: Oct 4 2008
It's practical and compact for a 15" laptop, but the zipper handlers hit each other creating a lot of noise when you walk around. Other brands offer plastic covers for them.
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Posted: Jul 4 2008
I received my Targus Radius Convertible a few days ago, and all I can say is "WOW"!!! I have owned a Targus brand bag in the past, and I must say I was never too terribly impressed with the quality. I purchased this bag based on other reviews I have read, and am glad I did. This bag certainly changed my view of Targus products. Not only is the bag made of really durable material, it looks even BETTER than any of the pictures I found on the internet!! Everything fits very nicely, and even with the bag "loaded", it does not appear bloated or lose its' shape. The material is rigid, yet expandable. I can't say enough good things about it! I own a MacBook Pro, and this is going to do just the trick for me! Great for the office, traveling, and even throwing on my back on occasion when I have a long walk in the airport and have bags hanging from my shoulders and need to throw the laptop on my back. Great move to "penetrate" the Apple market, Targus! People who purchase Apple products usually expect more, and you certainly delivered!!
