Customer Reviews

Case Logic XNTM-4 Messenger eSling (Black)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Caselogix XNTM-4 is a good choice for sub-notebooks or netbooks.
The maximum dimensions listed of 11.8" x 9.1" x 1.3" are a bit generous.
If you have a notebook pushing those dimensions consider a larger bag.

I use mine for a ASUS EeePC which is less than 9"x7" and there is more than enough room.

I would like to see the bag include a couple removable accessory bags to use for cables, power supplies, etc. you will need to provide your own or just let them lay loose.

The material is durable and should last a long time. However some of the stitching seems sparse and may wear over time. I would like to see tighter locked stitches so they would hold up even if damaged.

There are a few pockets suitable for cell phones, mp3 players, small gps, etc. but no "port" for passing through a headphone cable. I also don't find a great place to store things like sunglasses or keys as the description indicates.

There is an internal zippered pocket that would be ideal for storing manuals that are rarely used, but the pocket was only created about 1/2 of the sling deep and thus has a maximum storage of 5"x6", my Asus book is 8.25" x 5.5".

A couple external pockets are great for easy access items such as maps, tickets, travel itinerary, etc.

The shoulder strap is unfortunately permanently attached with no padding and if adjusted to carry as indicated in the photo puts the metal adjustment right on your shoulder and leaves 1/2 of the strap, about 18", with a loose double layer which gets flipped around and tangled.

Finally the closure flap...
It is a bit over sized and it can be difficult to find your mark for the 2 small magnetic clasps. And even if you do line them up perfectly, they don't really hold very well, especially if you stored anything in the flaps zippered compartment. This isn't really a problem as the size of the flap keeps it in position, but the addition of a more secure clasp to keep it closed when you are not actively using the bag would have been a good idea.

Still with all the flaws, it is a good looking and useful sling for carrying around a small laptop computer.

Since I just got a Eee PC and needed a simple safe way to tote it around, without having to lug a big extra bag (I'm always carrying my purse, my daughters juice cup, and usually at least one teddy bear) this seemed perfect... and it is! It's the perfect size for the netbook and my cellphone and even ipod touch can fit in with it. The bag is small yet sturdy and the strap is perfect to toss over my shoulder. I almost wish the flap wasn't there, it's big and makes it harder to get into the bag (which has a zipper top already) and if anything might make someone not bother zipping it closed leaving a netbook prone to falling out sine the flap just has a couple magnetic clips holding it down. All in all though I'm really happy with the bag, my husband has already tried to jam his 13" macbook into it (which while it did fit, it wouldn't zip) and has told me that if they come out with a model slightly bigger which could fit his mac he'd like me to buy him one.

The Caselogic XNTM-4 Messenger eSling is pitched as being good for "7-12" Ultraportable PCs" (this is on the tag that one would see if finding it in the store). The description on Amazon is more vague as to the type of equipment this bag would be used with, so an Amazon shopper will need to sift through reviews to see if this bag will fit their equipment.

The paradox between this item and the product it's designed to carry is that a netbook's primary benefit is its small size. However, if you carry it around in this messenger bag, it's no longer very small. The up side is that this case might replace the need to carry another bag or briefcase or purse at the same time, since it has plenty of storage for power cords, a mouse, papers, and personal items.

The storage pocket is large enough to carry an EeePC 900 with plenty of room to spare, so I think a 10" netbook would fit easily. I tried to fit an old 15" laptop (not widescreen) and it was too big for the case (not surprising).

The front flap is quite large, and given that the only reason for its size seems to be the zippered pocket, it's unnecessarily large. I'd gladly skip that zippered pocket for a front flap that wasn't the entire length of the case.

The padding seems sufficient to protect against damage from normal use and maybe the occasional fall off a table or getting squished in a crowded train.

The adjustable strap allows for a shoulder or cross-shoulder position, but at its shortest length, it's still too long to carry the bag more like a laptop case/briefcase. For some unexplainable reason, the strap is not removable, so you can't remove it or replace it with another strap that is padded or is a different length.

If you need one case to carry lots of stuff in addition to your netbook, and you can deal with the other aspects that you see in this and other reviews, this case may be right for you. If you're looking for something to keep the overall size of your netbook and accessories as small as possible, you'll need to look elsewhere.

I absolutely love this bag! It looks great, it holds my notebooks and a few thin text books along with the computer, cable, pens, my phone and wallet! The strap doesn't have added padding, but it is still pretty comfortable. This is a great bag for male or female. Go for it!

This held my Ipad, boze headphones,camera,cords,travel documents and miscellaneous items all organized and easily available. Great for travel. Good compact size.

This is a great case for day to day traveling with either a netbook, or iPad...or both. I am currently using it as my day to day travel bag for my iPad. Has plenty of room to allow me to carry the pad, an apple Bluetooth keyboard, notepad, pens, travel charger, and assorted papers. I still have room to carry for my 11.6" netbook. Material is of good quality and zippers are made well. Interior compartments are roomy. There are two, as well as additional outside/interior pockets for extra things. The only drawback I would say was the bag's shoulder strap. Although it is made of good material, there is no extra padded section. So if you have it on your shoulder for a while, it can start to cut in you. Would also have been nice if the case you have included duel strap handles on either end of the shoulder strap. This would allow for easy handling by the user no matter what shoulder they are carrying the case from. Overall this is a nice bag that will do the job for you.

Interior space ok. I find a flap design cumbersome when trying to remove the laptop. Also the strap attachment point is cheap: nylon strap folds easily and gets jammed up into the metal buckle so that it doesn't hang "straight"; an annoyance mostly.

I wanted to downsize from a backpack, but still wanted to keep things organized. The Case Logic XNTM-4 Messenger eSling does an excellent job in that department. Only wish it had room for a standard file folder.

I just received the Case Logic XNTM-4 and overall I found it suited my needs fairly well. However, I noted two areas which I felt needed improvement

First, the flap. I know its a messenger bag. But I quickly realized that the huge flap was basically useless since the magnets could not keep it closed properly. So... I carefully cut it out! Now I can quickly access the two main zippered pouches and the weight of the bag, already fairly light, was further reduced.

Next, I looked at that strap that so many people have complained about, and the lack of a real handle. So...off it went! Using clear 10 lb fishing line, I attached a padded strap to the bag. I also added a handle on top of the unit. The bag is now where it should have been to begin with!

By carefully cutting away the original flap and strap and using clear fishing line to secure the new parts you could not tell it had been altered!

I now have a perfect bag for my Acer Aspire One netbook and all it's accessories.

I purchased three different sizes of these eSling bags. The small XNTM-1, the medium XNTM-3, and the large XNTM-4. My goal was to find a vertical style briefcase replacement that could carry a netbook, my point-n-shoot digital camera, a small video camera and an audio recorder. I like the vertical format of these bags, they hang better from the shoulder than a wider messenger bag or briefcase.

This larger version 4 fits the bill perfectly. It easily holds my EEE PC netbook in the computer pocket. It could take a slightly larger unit maxing out at 8x11x1.2 . The pocket is padded, but I might carry my netbook in a protective sleeve for extra protection.

The front part of the bag has plenty of space for your various stuff. For comparison it is large enough to hold 8-9 copies of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. I also has plenty of pockets for loose items. I use the velcro front pouch to hold quick access items like notepad, pens and my cell phone. The front flap is held closed by magnets.

The adjustable strap is 1.5 inches wide and kind of thin. For me, when loaded, this bag carries best with the strap across my chest. One concern is that the strap could be easily cut by a thief. I might try and replace it with a PacSafe security strap but the current strap is sewn into the bag. NOTE: For best secruity I would suggest a PacSafe MetroSafe 200 or 300 they have more secure construction but no dedicated computer pocket.

For the price this is a pretty good bag. If your looking for a better constructed bag I would suggest the Tumi Alpha Travel Totes for between 150-200$. They don't have the dedicated computer pocket, but the construction is rock solid.

Improvements I would suggest would include better quailty zippers and if the back velcro pocket was replaced with a sleeve that would allow you to slip the bag over your luggage handle.