Customer Reviews

Targus TSM08001US Velos Messenger Bag (Charcoal)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This bag provides the ultimate in lightweight and compactness while providing good protection for my 15.4-in notebook computer.

It has two large pockets and three small ones. It cannot hold a lot of other things, but it will easily swallow my computer's AC adapter and cord, mouse, and mouse pad.

The top handle was designed to be unobstrusive, so it will retract flush along the case when not in use. It is not intended to be the primary way to carry the bag, the comfortable shoulder strap is. Two straps are provided: bright green and black. The case comes with the green one attached, but if you don't like that color, changing to the other one is a snap.

I like Velcro fasteners because they are very secure. They will make some noise when being opened. This attribute is a plus in crowded and noisy places because unauthorized tempering will be noticed. On the other hand, when you try to open the case in a library, the noises could make you feel being in the center of unwanted attention.

The Targus Velos Messenger Bag is light and very well-made.

I've been carrying around the same laptop bag for so long that I really wasn't aware of how far they've come in terms of features, security and, most of all, comfort, until I was introduced to the Targus Velos Messenger Laptop case.

It's a terrifically-designed, lightweight carrying case (3.17 lbs.) with a retractable handle and an adjustable, padded wide strap that goes easy on the shoulder.

Also impressive is the internal neoprene sling cushioning system that cradles laptops with screens up to 15.4" against unplanned bumps along the way. The heavy-duty Velcro keeps the various compartments securely fastened, and there's easy access to storage pockets.

Another thoughtful touch are the top side rain flaps which add extra protection against water leakage.

On a more cosmetic note, the Velos comes with a second, interchangeable black strap in case you get tired of the lime color, but after going so long with the my old black-on-black case, the bright green-charcoal grey combination still makes for a welcome fresh change.

Recently I had to upgrade a number of older cases for my notebook and laptop computers. Targus has been a respected name in cases for about as long as portable and laptop computer first came on the scene, and they've earned their reputation as a manufacturer of sturdy and stylish cases.

This new Targus Velos Messenger bag, designed for notebook computers with screens up to 15.4", is an extension to that tradition of style combined with quality. Within its interesting charcoal-colored polyester twill exterior is an interior that's well designed to protect a notebook computer against all of the bumps one might encounter in urban commuting.

This computer case has a single large flap on the front, along with interior rain flaps, to protect the computer and papers when in inclement weather. The interior has a separate, dual cushioned section with a neoprene sling which is well designed to protect the computer. It's roomy inside, and I had no problem sliding my 15.4" notebook PC in or removing it. It's the perfect size to fit under an airline seat. The case has a lightly cushioned carrying handle that retracts and lies flat when you're not using it.

But what makes this messenger-style bag bag so unique is that it comes with two different and interchangeable shoulder straps, one in black and the other in lime green. You can easily change these straps in moments by unlocking the large closures on each side of the bag, swap the straps, then lock the two closures again. This allow you to go from businesslike to sporty within a couple of minutes or less, once you've gotten the hang of it. It's a very clever design, and the straps are easy to adjust as well.


Pros:

* Attractive design, very well made, Targus quality
* Charcoal exterior color makes this case stand out
* Excellent padding, dual cushioned protection
* Clever interchangeable shoulder straps
* Sized for business travel, weather resistant
* Big enough for 15.4" screen notebooks

Cons:

* Not enough interior accessory storage pockets!
* No pen holders, surprising in a contemporary case
* Shoulder pad could have been better
* Web strap material is a bit thin


With any product, it's the individual tastes we each have that determine whether or not we like the product. The oldest case that I have is a Targus CLN5 15.4 Traditional Leather Notebook Case, one that has lasted well for over a decade now, and it's made of black leather and has nickel fittings that have survived the test of time and a number of computer changes. It has a three-section accordion-style interior compartment for papers and folders. It has a few of those smaller compartments that many of us expect for storing the small items we carry, but is lacking by the standards of today in that we might look for in a contemporary notebook case.

And it's the lack of those small accessory compartments that I find lacking in the Velos Messenger case. In fact, it has less of those convenient organizational amenities than my old Targus CLN5 Notebook Case that I wished to replace with the new messenger case. Surprisingly there aren't any pen holders, which are a necessity for many of us. I also found the shoulder pad to be inadequate for the amount of weight this case can carry, and while the interchangeable straps in colors are very clever, the material seems a bit thin.

As noted at the beginning of this review, I've been upgrading and replacing my cases, and have also purchased additional cases better suited to my individual needs. These are the Lowepro Messenger Factor M Computer Bag and the Lowepro Tropolis 1100, and I've posted in-depth reviews on these. They feature ample interior accessory pockets, along with properly padded shoulder straps that seems to fit the shoulder better than most.

In conclusion, the Targus Velos Messenger is a very attractive computer case, and its clever straps do make it stand out from the ordinary. It is one that I'll keep for occasional use, and may use it for storing a Kindle Wireless Reading Device along with papers and accessories at some time in the future. The Targus quality is evident, but this case may be better suited for users who don't travel very much.

I ordered this new Targus laptop bag primarily for everyday purpose to carry my laptop and other papers/files etc. to work. After first two days of use, here is it's review along with pictures in customer images section:

Pros:
- Very stylish & attractive in looks. Makes it stand out from other traditional boxy looking office laptop bags.
- Easily interchangeable straps, one lime green and one black, for two different looks. Targus made it to look equally good for men and women.
- Solid thick padding to ensure laptop safety from shocks.
- Comfortable in carrying with a padded shoulder strap.
- Two flaps, overlapping each other to make it weatherproof.
- Two small side-flaps (see my pictures in customer images) for complete weather proofing. Specially useful in protection from rain, snow etc.
- One outside pocket, with a velcro in center, for easy access to stuff inside. For example, while traveling, you can keep e-receipts, print-outs, magazine etc. there and can take it out without opening the main pocket. Make is pretty handy to use.
- One zipped accessory pocket and three small front pockets for pen, cellphone etc, inside the flap.

Cons:
- Carrying handle on top has to be literally pulled out from the top flap. A bit difficult task while wearing thick gloves on a winter morning. This might be an issue with people with large fingers.
- The velcros inside the flaps are a bit too strong and need some effort to pull open the flaps.
- Space is limited only for a laptop (upto 15" wide) and a few other stuff. Not of much use, if you carry a book/files/notepad etc along with your laptop.

Overall, I think it stands between the boxy looking laptop bags and those cool Gap/AE style cloth bags. It is stylish and appropriate for work.

However, price is a bit on the higher side.

When I first received this item, I thought that I'd have to return it immediately. Out of the box it was configured with bright-green colored shoulder strap. The product image clearly shows this as having a black strap and frankly, the florescent green strap won't work in most professional environments. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the case included two straps; both green and black. There was a step-by-step guide to swapping the straps on the packaging. I purchased this case for my Dell XPSTM M1530 laptop. The M1530 is a fairly large laptop and was purchased with an even larger bag. When I travel for business, I prefer a smaller laptop bag that easily fits under the seat next to my feet. Larger bags just aren't suitable for business travelers. This case is the perfect size; just big enough for a 15.4" screen but small enough to fit under an airline seat. For some people however, this case may provide too little space for power cords, accessories, paperwork, etc. For me, this is the right size.
Below are the pros and cons of that I found:

Pros:
- Small size for business travel, but big enough for a large 15.4" screen.
- Good use of lightweight materials.
- Strap has generous length and is easy to adjust.
- There's a neoprene sling that cradles your laptop.
- Targus name and quality

Cons:
- The "retractable" handle is made of an elastic material, so you need to grab it and pull it out before putting your hand/fingers underneath. This is tedious and designed for style, more than function.
- The Velcro attachments for the flaps are very difficult to detach. In a cramped airline seat, you have to struggle to open the secondary flap without hitting the passenger next to you. There is no reason to have 1.5" x 10" of solid Velcro.
- While I personally consider this an advantage, the case is small and has very limited accessory storage pockets.
- Another personal preference of mine is zipper access from the top. This allows airline passengers to easily slip a laptop (or book) in and out of the case while it stays on the floor. Messenger bags inherently have this weakness where you need to pick up the bag, open a large exterior flap, and then a secondary flap for the laptop.
- No pen holders - this is usually a "must have" for most users.


Would I purchase this laptop again? Probably not. I love the price, quality, and look. But it's just too difficult to get my laptop in and out of. Between the difficult "retractable" handle and 15 square inches of Velcro on the secondary flap, I'm not satisfied with the case. This case may be better suited for students or business users that don't travel.

You can't always get an accurate impression of something just by its picture and so it was with this case. In the Amazon photo, the "clips" that you see at the top of the case look odd, as if a seatbelt buckle were somehow attached to the case. Also the Amazon photo does not accurately reflect the color of the clips. The clips on my case were black in color. I was really hesitant to order the case based on what I was seeing. But I took the chance and ordered it anyway.

Upon receiving the case I must say my impression changed completely. I ended up really liking the appearance of the clips and it is now a non-issue for me. It is these clips that release the shoulder strap so that you can swap out one strap for another.

The case I ordered is charcoal in color. Included are two interchangeable shoulder straps; one bright lime green, the other is described as charcoal but to my eyes it is darker than the case and I would call it black.

An important first consideration before choosing this case is this... do you really want a "Messenger" case? It's an important question because a messenger case inherently has a main flap that wraps up and over the top of the case and secures on the bottom of the other side. The implication of this "feature" is that if you like to quickly slide your laptop in and out of your case, the messenger bag style impedes this. Since you have to literally flip the primary flap open before you can access anything inside, it's not going to make you very happy if you like to just unzip and slide your computer out. Won't happen with this case.

Unlike lots of other "soft" shelled cases, this actually has some structure to it. It doesn't just collapse into a pile of fabric when it is empty. On the back side is a full width and height "slip pocket" which secures with a small velcro pad. There is an understated, embroidered "Targus" logo at the top of this pocket.

The large primary flap has a cutout for a retractable handle on the top. It's not exactly the most comfortable handle and I would rarely use it in favor of the shoulder strap. I do like that it retracts however, as it keeps it out of the way and keeps the case looking svelte.

The large flap opens after you've pried it away from the two big patches of velcro. Once it's opened you see three small smallish, open at the top, compartment pockets... suitable for a cellphone, mp3 player or other small items. Above those compartments is a single, full width, 3/4 hieight, zippered compartment for cords or other odds and ends. A minor but quite nice feature of this compartment is that inside there is a clear siliconized pocket to house an Identification or Business Card. It's neat because it "grabs" the card so it won't slide out by accident. And there is an additional space behind this for additional business cards.

A secondary flap inside the case, which is secured by a nearly 9inch long swath of velcro, reveals the opulent padded interior space that swaddles your laptop in a cushiony heaven of padding. The padding is really outstanding.

There are two little flaps of material at the top left and right sides of the interior case. These are supposed to be "rain flaps" but that sort of makes me laugh. They will -not- prevent rain from seeping in the case if you happen to be in a downpour... on the other hand, they may help prevent small objects from slipping out of the case as you are sliding it out from under an airplane seat or overhead bin.

I think this is a really nice case. The protection it offers your laptop is outstanding and there are a variety of compartments to hold stuff; magazines, reports, cell phones, accessories, etc. I use it equally often with both my 13" MacBook and a 15" iBook. The iBook slides in easily whereas the MacBook, which has a Macally BookShell Macally Protection Shell for Macbook (BookShellB) "grabs" a little bit as you slide it in the case because of the leather. It's not a big deal but just wanted to mention it in case you have a similar leather cover on your laptop.

It seems to be very well-made and the only reason I rate it 4 starts instead of 5 is because I hate velcro. It's noisy... it's not easy to release... it's always getting lint, fuzz and stuff stuck to it... but I don't really have a better solution. It's used everywhere these days. If you don't mind velcro, then consider my 4 a 5.

Pros:
-Stylish
-Extreme padding for your laptop
-Well made
-Adequate pockets (it's not a suitcase afterall)

Cons:
-Velcro... lots of velcro

This laptop did a great job for me, housing both my 15.4 inch laptop and my school-books for nursing school. The bag has plenty of pockets and compartments for your different baggage, and does a great job of staying shut to protect your laptop, because the velcro is super-sticky. I would recommend this to a friend.

Got this bag to carry things to work as opposed to a purse I park and then take a shuttle to work. On rainy days this bag is perfect. I love the color and the velcro really does grips tight. Another plus arrived sooner than expected. I was a bit disappointed though that the shipping was not free considering the bag arrived in an amazon.com box.

No zipper. The sticky pads makes noise while opening the bag. The space inside is not as big as you imagine from the size of the bag

I got the bag in time. Overall it looks good. But it is a little bit larger than I thought. Nevertheless, I think the price is very good. And it seems to be very secure for my laptop.