Customer Reviews

SwissGear Computer Backpack (Gray/Red)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This backpack is very well constructed with good stitching. The size is just right, roomy enough for a decent sized laptop but small enough to not become too bulky when full of stuff. It also stows nicely under a plane seat.

It has a padded sleeve in the back section to stash your laptop. It fitted my 15 inch screen Lenovo laptop easily and will probably accommodate up to 17 inch (diagonal screen size) laptop but it will be snug. You can also fit other books files in the rest of the area.

I like the square padded section on the back which is designed to keep your back cool in hot weather.

The straps are very comfortable and the backpack does not hurt my back even if I have it on for some hours. The cell phone pocket on one strap and the sunglass hook on the other is very convenient and came in handy on a vacation.

There is also a front section which has a circular pocket for media - I keep my Blackberry and Zune in it. There is another cell phone pocket on the inside as well as 2-3 other small zipper pockets for money, credit cards, id cards etc.

The semicircular zip right in the front is especially convenient as this is a smaller section for all the items to which you need quicker access so you won't have to dig deep through the 2 main sections. The side elastic net pockets are also very roomy and handy.

I like the smooth look and the rugged construction of this bag. The colors are nice and look nice whether you're using it for your office/school or on vacation.

I have just purchased this Swissgear SA9715 backpack (Black/gray and also available in several other color combinations, but with the same overall design at $34.95 shipped and now $69.95!) along with the SA9735 (Royal blue at $34.95 shipped and now $79.95!) and also the Swissgear Wenger Maxxum model (available in red, blue and gray {but not currently available} at $49.95 shipped and now $70.95 + ~$10 for shipping!). By far the Maxxum is the superior backpack of these three computer laptop/notebook bags for protection of your valuable laptop computer which is after all the primary purpose of these items, but each of the other two bags also have their advantages too.

SA9715 (fits MOST 15.4 inch laptops)- Good light and long bag (~3 lbs), with an ok carrying handle and with only limited storage in two large bins (one for the laptop with velcro seals which was not a lot of protection in my opinion- you would probably benefit from a neoprene computer sleeve for better overall protection). Carrying heavy loads was far better for me with this bag than with the SA9735 discussed below even without a chest or hip belt. It doesn't stand vertically very well for packing purposes however.

SA9735 (fits MOST 15.4 inch laptops)- A better bag (~4 lbs), with a good carrying handle and with only one additional large zippered storage area, but with a better plastic snap for improved securing of your laptop). Carrying a lot of weight was definitely an issue for me with this bag however even with its 22+ pockets, but no chest or hip belt- contrary to the picture for the Maxxum/Synergy/Pegasus style laptop put there incorrectly by a laptop purchaser on Amazon! It also has some difficulty standing vertically when packed.

Swissgear Wenger Maxxum (fits MOST 15.4 inch laptops)- The best of these three by far (4 lbs, 3 ounces), but heavier/heftier. but with a very strong reinforced carrying handle placed centrally at the top of the bag for balance (and a trolley handle too at the very back of the top of the bag to boot!) and a fine heavy plastic support for your laptop (and their Comp-U-Flex support system for keeping a laptop off the bottom of the bag when it is put down or even when carried) and better placement of the computer away from your back with better back support too for carrying very heavy loads. It is quite heavy to lift, but very light to carry in my opinion. It does come with a chest belt (but not with a hip belt however) that is not placed low enough on the carrying supports, but at least the tension imposed on your chest can be readily adjusted. It has a fine base stabilizing platform and easily stands to be packed too. It also has a very large central zipped pocket, an ipod/mp3/mp4/radio pouch (zippered) and an no-zipper Kangaroo pouch for rapid storage and removal of a camera, a jacket, etc. and almost anything else that you might want in a computer laptop backpack.

Someone however desperately needs to organize all of these Swissgear products by their SA number and not by their color because you simply can't rely on either the selling price or on the MSRP (price as suggested from the manufacturer) as an indicator for the best quality bags available and for what specific purpose they are needed (size of the laptop that will definitely fit in each bag, waterproof ability, durability, dimensions of the bag itself (L X W X H), belt supports, colors available, etc.). In addition, a number of customers have posted incorrect and multiple photos with these bags which makes it equally tough to make a good decision without reading a very large number of detailed reviews for the same bag, but available only in different colors and thus which are listed in multiple and quite separate reviews! Some of these listings do not always come up in Amazon's search engine each time either depending on their current availability (by color again!) from the manufacturer and their relative sales ranking which can change hourly!

For example by reading and comparing information on Amazon with the Wengerna website you will find that the only major difference of the Maxxum as compared to the Synergy backpack model is an extra volume of 18" by 1 " and of course slightly different pocket dimensions and overall shape designs. Someone (at Swissgear/Wenger?) definitely needs to rank all these Swissgear backpack models systematically with their properties and a correct photo so that the buying public can make more informed choices without having to buy 3 bags to find one that will do the job that you want done!

I was doubting about getting this backpack for my 16" HP HDX laptop since all the reviews about this backpack don't tell much about its capacity and size. Finally I decided to bought it and luckily my 16" laptop fits perfect on it.
I won't recommend getting this backpack for a 17 inch laptop. No way it will fit. 16 inches is the maximum you can fit on its laptop department.
Of course it fits without leaving 1 cm free.. the zipper touches a bit the corners of the laptop but there is not damage at all. I am super happy with this bag since I really love its design, colors and shape.
There is plenty of room on the bag for cds, cables, books and other extras plus the laptop of course.
I will rate this product with all the stars. such a nice and good quality bag!!!!

I received it one week later after I purchased it. And it came with good condition. I am using it to carry my Macbook Pro 13 inch and it fit well. Before this bag I used another Swiss Gear backpack so I have known how good it should be. So far nothing wrong happens on that. Just a notice: I don't think 17 inch laptop fits, 15.4 inch is the max.

For only $35, this backpack is a STEAL! I love it for so many reasons.
1.) There are soooo many places to put things, almost too many (if that could be considered the one bad thing about this backpack). The front pocket is perfect for my 15 inch Dell Studio computer and provides sufficient padding so I don't have to worry about it rattling around in there. The second pocket is big enough for all my other stuff (and I often transport A LOT of stuff, ie: computer cords, mouse, ipod, hard drives, books, water bottle, snack food, etc.) without getting too bulky. I seriously do not know how I fit so much stuff in there. I like the compartments on the straps to put my phone or ipod in, and the sun glasses loop.
2.) The material is very sturdy. I have owned this backpack for about 10 months, using it almost everyday and nothing appears to be breaking/falling apart. The zippers/straps/stitching are very sturdy and there is virtually no wear-and-tear on my backpack (and I am not one to treat my backpack delicately.) Also, I have been outside waiting for the bus when it is pouring and no water has ever gotten in. It gets damp, but nothing has ever gotten through.
3.) On the actual part of the backpack where your back touches the actual backpack, there is a soft cushion that allows for airflow so your back doesn't get all sweaty, b/c no one likes a sweaty back.
4.) Compactness. While the backpack can fit EVERYTHING, there are straps that allow you to tighten it up very compactly, which is always a plus, being able to have a huge roomy backpack, or a small compact backpack.
5.) Price. I would have spent wayyyy more than $35 to buy this backpack if I knew how awesome it was.

Overall. A solid backpack. I have the silver one, which I like, since it doesn't blend in with everyone else's. My boyfriend has the black one, and he loves it too! I definitely recommend this backpack and you will not regret owning it!

I bought this backpack a little over a month ago because it was stylish, had MANY pockets including a laptop section. Two weeks ago, I put my lenovo t60 laptop and couple of books in the bag and one of the handles came off that day! I hope Amazon sends me another one :(

OO I love this bag.... very spacious , very comfortable, so many pockets.. the best part is,, it has separate part for Laptop... i have 15.6 inch laptop and it fit perfectly.. also space for your ipod's mp3... i like all tht..
build quality is really good.. i have my laptop and 4,5 books... it get pretty heavy.. and nothing happen to it .. the best part after all that weight its very comfortable to wear.... i am using this for last 4 ,5 months... i am really pleased with this purchase...

be it looks or be it comfort.. a very good product from swissgear.. i have got two similar bags and am liking so much..

The backpack is so cool. I used to feel how heavy my Laptop used to be when i had a old backpack. Now i feel its so comfortable and dont feel heavy at all.

Plenty of space for my Macbook and textbooks. Cell phone pocket on one strap is very handy, as are the side mesh pockets.