Customer Reviews

Samsonite L35 Notebook Case

5 star:		(126)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

When I was shopping for a notebook case that was not too bulky for everyday use. I only needed to bring my notebook and power cord, and an occasional file or two.

This Samsonite L35 laptop carrying case is exactly what I need for both everyday and travel use. I have it for each of my laptops. Not only does it carry all the necessary notebook requirements (power cable, ethernet cable, files, etc.), but everything else such as my wallet, phone, and sometimes a slim external hard drive.

The added padding protected my laptop from its demise after a few accidental mishaps. Thanks, Samsonite!!!

For my personal laptop, I have a Sony VAIO with a 13.3" screen, and it carries all of the necessities, which include a wireless optical mouse.

For my work laptop, I have an HP (Mobile Centrino) with a 15" screen, and it fits it perfectly! I carry more things, which include a wireless optic mouse, a wireless USB network adapter (to supplement/increase the gain of the internal wireless card on my notebook), and a CD wallet case. The other great thing about this case is the "flap" that can fit onto my carry-on luggage pull handle. If one didn't know what this was for, it can be easily mistaken for an external compartment with a "design flaw" of having the bottom of the pocket open. I am a professor at a medical university, and I travel at least once a month to give lectures in Universities and Scientific Conferences, so this is a definitely a big design advantage for travelers.

Conclusion: It is small enough to be conveniently used for everything I need it for, yet big enough to carry everything that I need.

Because the Samsonite L35 is doing its job as a notebook carrying case, I gave it 5 stars. I use the L35 when I just need to carry the notebook and the power cord. I also have the Samsonite XT530, which can hold more things, such as files and cables and peripherals portable drives. The XT530 is what I use when I need to bring more stuff.

When I first got this bag, it worked great. After about 3 months of regular use of bringing my laptop to school, I noticed the fake leather over the hinges for the shoulder strap started to tear, and eventually, they both broke off. I basically dropped my laptop the first time this happened and was not in a good mood. I hooked the straps on to the handle hinges which seemed to be a little sturdier, but they just tore off also. The construction of the hinges to the bag are not very good, as they rely upon the fake leather and a little (too small) of a a bolt that just goes into the bag (no washer on the inside to deter the bolt from pulling off the bag). The laptop I have is an older IBM T20 with an AC adapter and an extra battery. I'm guessing this is too heavy for the bag, even though the laptop is relatively light. I would never buy this model again.

I bought this case for my new Dell E1505 laptop. It would have been perfect if its an inch bigger. Its quite a struggle to keep the notebook into the case.

Update 7/2006: within a few months the handle rivet gave out. Given the low price I didn't even bother trying to get it repaired. This is a fatal flaw and if I could remove stars I would give it a zero.

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The case is well-built and seems rugged. It is all nylon, good-looking and devoid of any leather accents. The shoulder strap is padded and has webbing on one side for slip-resistance; the zippers and handle have a comfortable rubberized feel though I think the handle could be a little stiffer. All the metal parts have a nice satin finish.

My 15" screened HP ze4900 series laptop fits perfectly into the padded pocket in the main compartment. This pocket doesn't allow you to open the laptop while it is inside the case and can impede removal of the computer when the bag is partially unzipped (slightly inconvenient at an airport security station or while on a plane) but it does offer good protection. There is a velcro strap to secure the computer inside the pocket but it is too short to be useful and the case is snug enough that I don't use it at all.

There are two additional pockets in the main compartment for accessories and a larger pocket for files. Filling the accessory pockets with a mouse and charger does create some bulging but I feel this is acceptable when compared to the Kensington case which has a bigger footprint and was too big for this computer. The file pocket can only handle a half-inch worth of papers with the computer and accessories loaded.

The front pocket has space for a PDA or cell phone, pens and business cards, maybe a pair of sunglasses and travel documents.

With regard to the rear pocket, it is really not a pocket but a sleeve that allows the case to be slipped over a rolling suitcase handle. I didn't think much of it until I used it and now I think it is the best feature of this case -- wonderful for travel, looks slick, and is quite secure. And if you are using a black Samsonite suitcase so much the better for overall appearance. This sleeve also has a zippered compartment but I haven't used it because it is small and its contents are subject to bending if you are using the sleeve with a suitcase.

Overall a good case if you like compact size, simplicity, and style over tremendous capacity.

Purchased this bag for use with a Toshiba Satellite 15" screen laptop. The laptop barely fits into the bag, and it is obvious the bag was designed for use with no larger than a 14" screen laptop. The bag does however have a quality look and feel to it. I would recommend this bag for laptops with a screen smaller than 15".

Ok, I was stupid b/c I have a 15.4" widescreen laptop and I got this bag anyway. I guess I was stubborn. Well, it fits, but it's reallllllly tight. I would not recommend this bag for more than 15" screen laptops. haha. Besides my own error, the bag is very slimming and easy to handle. It looks very chic and I've been getting a lot of compliments from my friends. I actually don't use it that much so everything is still in excellent shape. I would highly recommend it for people thinking about buying a laptop bag that isn't too bulky. For some reason, it attracts dust... I think it's the polyester fabric.

I bought this for my 15in. Laptop. The laptop did fit in snugly, by with the power cord and USB optical mouse, it bulged in the frontan I had some difficulty closing the zipper. The quality of the material is excellent though. If you have laptop with 15in. or bigger screen, my suggestion is to look for a bigger one.

I agree with the other reviewer who has said that the side leather straps holding the hinges are not strong enough. The case itself looks very good and I bought it for its elegant, minimalist design. After buying it, I realized that the case magically loses its looks when you put stuff in the front pocket (even the laptop power cord makes the case look obese). I have been using the case for about 9 months now. The side leather straps have developed cracks. These days I am using the handle to carry the case around because I am afraid that the straps will break completely. The straps are held to the case by small rivets. I am pretty sure that they wont be able to take the weight. The case did come with a limited 3-year warranty. But the caveat is that I have to bear the shipping expenses to the repair shop. Moreover, they have not provided the address of the repair shop. I am planning to call the 1800 number that they have provided. Overall, I am not at all happy with my purchase. I think this case is overrated and overpriced. For some reason there is a lot of hype surrounding this case. Just don't buy it.

The product was of poor quality.just after one use the shoulder pad ripped off.I had expected better quality from samsonite.

i have a 15.1 in laptop from dell. this fits it perfectly and snugly around it. its also easy to pull out. the pockets fit my needs perfectly. nothing comes close as far as the price goes.