Customer Reviews

Brenthaven Crossover SC Laptop Bag for MacBook 13 and 15-Inch, Yellow (2080101)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I went from a BrentHaven backpack big enough for a 17" (Beast). It was nice, I used it for 5 years. But the last 4 years I have had a 13" in that bag. I was looking to downsize and this Brenthaven was a great price and it is a great bag. I still can get almost as many books and extra stuff into it as I did with the beast. Great price compared to my $185 price on the first bag! I am extremely picky with tech stuff and it has passed my inspection.

The Brenthaven Crossover is a nice well made and designed product.
It fits my travel needs well, tripling as a backpack, at saddle bag, briefcase.
The pockets are well thought out, zippers seem sturdily constructed. Handles are well placed and the briefcase handles can be hidden. Great price since model is discontinued... <$70
Bought it for my MacBook Pro 15.4". Not as snug as I would like I can include a laptop sleeve.
I figured this will better fit my future MacBook Pro 15 unibody, which is longer/wider.
Minuses for me: color- would want darker, business-like black. Tighter fitting laptop compartment or an adjustable velcro strap would more securely protect laptop. A better quality or better padded shoulder strap.
You may want to check it out in person, with your laptop, before buying.

I have found the Crossover bag nearly ideal for my purposes. For air travel I use it as a backpack. In addition, it can be slipped over the handle of a roller suitcase, it has an extremely convenient small opening for passport and tickets (and another one for loose change and keys), and its small size fits easily under the seat (even the aisle seat). For business meetings and other professional uses, I transform it into the more formal-looking, over-the-shoulder bag. In either case, my 15.2" laptop computer is very well protected and held firmly in place by an elastic strap - as far as I can tell it can't budge. For my mixed use, its the best computer case I've tried. It doesn't look bad either.

Not as much storage as my other Brenthaven nor is it as rigid, the less rigidity made it a 4 star for me. The option of shoulder, handle, or backpack carry is awesome though. Professional looking when I have a business meeting yet easier to carry as a backpack when things are less formal.

I purchased this bag because I saw it on display at my local Apple store, and liked its versatility, size and weight. I purchased it online for my 15.4 Macbook Pro unibody--thinking it would be a perfect fit. To my surprise, even though it's marketed as a 15.4 bag, it was not.

The problem lies with the interior compartment designed to house the laptop--it's far too big! It's probably two inches too wide for my computer, which allows the laptop to flap around without restraint. This problem could have been mitigated, to some extent, by allowing the securing strap to be adjusted, but it, unfortunately, can't be--it's merely a flexible strap with velcro on one end, intended to snug to the answering velcro piece on the outside of the compartment. Since the partner piece is a small square, located at the top, you can't simply pull the strap tighter by securing it lower on the flap. Very disappointing!

While I think this is a nice bag in theory, I can't recommend it for anyone with a macbook, or indeed any slimline laptop. It doesn't offer enough protection or security.