Customer Reviews

Targus Zip-Thru Traditional Case for 16 Inch Laptops TBC023US (Black)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My primary concern when buying a laptop bag or case is that it protect the laptop. Second, that it doesn't look like 'thief bate.' This Targus bag meets both of those criteria. It's a nice subdued looking bag, modern enough with clean lines, but not glamorous in a way that will attract attention. It's a professional bag, with adequate storage options for your peripherals (mouse, charger, pens, paper, etc). The quality of the build is better than average if not perfect. I would have liked a heavier gauge zipper, since those always seem to be the first thing to go on the bags I've owned in the past. I also would have liked a thicker, longer shoulder pad. The attached pad is barely adequate for a large man.

The storage compartments are laid out logically and the bag clam-shells to allow easy security check pass through at the airport.

Overall I'm quite pleased with the bag, especially since it matches the color of my new Dell Studio 15 notebook.

For the price, this is a great option.

*****UPDATE 02/26/2010*****

The foam padded shoulder strap of the bag failed a few weeks ago. The stitching along one seam came out and with it the interior foam. I contacted Targus through their web-page to see about getting a replacement. They contacted me back within hours, and sent me a shipping notice for the replacement strap the next day. The new strap arrived and is actually better than the original (leather pad vs. vinyl). I am extremely impressed with both the promptness of Targus' communication and with the ease of requesting support through their webpage. I was expecting a headache to get a new shoulder strap and instead it was remarkably easy. I'll be giving them more business in the future knowing that: A. they stand behind their products, and B. they are very quick in assisting the customer. Well done Targus!

This laptop case was purchased for my son-in-law as a Christmas gift. He has a very casual case and needed one that looked more professional to bring to meetings, etc.
He was very please with it. I thought it looked as though I had paid a lot more for it than I did, so I was pleased also. One more thing -- the case is advertised for a 15.4" laptop, but it will actually fit up to a 16" laptop according to the packaging information. So if you have a little bigger laptop, but not a 17", it will fit perfectly. Hope this helps.

Got this case for Hubby's new laptop. Has all the extras, skillfully arranged,
for much less than higher priced cases. Suitcase handle AND shoulder strap.
HEAVY DUTY fabric. Will handle the rigors of travel and fit under airline seat.
Lots of pockets within pockets. Plenty of room to store all accessories,
each in it's own compartment. Zippered rectangluar pocket on outside bottom
has 3 pockets inside. Above it under the velcroed over-flap are 2 side by side
zippered pockets big enough for user manuals or John Ringo hardbacks. Inside
the main body of the case which has the velcro over-flap, but doesn't zip shut, is a
stiffened farric divider to make two compartments. They are separate, so loose
items won't scurry from one to the other across the bottom of the case. Nice padding.
Room for a laptop on each side. Excellent merchandise!

I've only had one chance to use this bag since purchasing, yet I like it enough to give it a good rating. I especially like the Zip-Thru feature because the bag opens flat thus putting in and taking out the computer is easy. My Dell Studio 1558 fits perfectly, but any bigger computer would not. The one side of the bag the computer tucks into a thick but not too-heavy padding, a padded top folds over it and a Velcro strap holds the top shut and the computer securely in place. In an airport situation it would be very easy to open the case for viewing without ever having to take the computer out. On the other side of the bag there is ample room for the computer cords and accessories, documents, papers, books, gadgets; however I'm a person that tends to travel lightly. All the pockets have closure: zippers, snaps or Velcro. It's easy to cart around with handle or adjustable strap and made of a durable fabric-like material that looks like it is waterproof (haven't tested that though). Considering the features and the reasonable cost, I believe this is a good buy.

If you have a Toshiba Laptop with a 16inch screen, this case is for you. Fits perfectly, even with the extended battery. Plain look, which is good; don't need to bring attention to yourself. Did I mention it is airport friendly? You dont have to take your laptop out of the bag going through security. If you travel a lot this is a must. Once again, great job Targus!!!

Background: this product was purchased for the express purpose of achieving one mission: to get through Airport Security as quickly as possible. Consequently, this review will be written from that perspective. If penetrating Airport Security with speed and ease is not a priority for you, skip this product and choose one of the umpteen-million computer bags that don't feature the "airport checkpoint-friendly" feature.

Still here? Good. Here we go:

This is the only checkpoint-friendly bag that has a single handle on the top. Why is that important? Because bags with 2 handles are inferior. You will inevitably wind up grabbing only one from time to time, and that will cause the following to happen:
1) the bag will flop open, dropping its contents on the floor
2) the handle will begin tearing out of the fabric, shortening life.

Single handle is the way to go, which makes this bag the only game in town.

Pros:
Computer pocket is a decent size, with an acceptable level of padding.
Bag seems well-made and is tasteful.
The bag does make it through TSA screening with a computer in it, as advertised.
Strap for sliding over the handle of rollaboard bag works well.
Single handle, as explained above.

Cons (explanations follow):
Slow unzip to open & close for screening
Too much use of velcro
Flimsy velcro flap holds laptop in computer compartment
Additional storage space is small, unexpandable, and inadequate
Lacks compartment for computer charger

Explanations:

Slow unzip to open & close for screening

The crucial purpose of a bag such as this is to facilitate QUICKLY prepping for the airport xray belt, and then quickly get going again. Ideally, this would be done with a quick-release clip that was augmented by zippers. This bag, however, requires unzipping the whole thing to flop it open for the xray, and then re-zipping it closed afterward. Slow and weak, like the airport neophytes you bought this bag to blow past at the security checkpoint. No other bag seems to have it right either, however, so until someone builds one that does, we'll have to make do. Perhaps we can modify this bag with such a clip...

Too much use of velcro

Velcro is a mediocre fastener at best. It is ok for certain applications; this is not one of them. One of its limitations: over time, the soft side (the "loop" fabric, in the industry parlance, "velcro" is technically a brand name) will get worn by the "hook" side, and turn into a bushy mass with no grip. Considering this bag should last for years, the velcro on the computer pouch basically designed-in failure.
Add to that the annoying noise of velcro (have fun getting your computer out quetly during a meeting) and the fact that it basically belongs on children's shoes, and you have a losing proposition.

Flimsy velcro flap holds laptop in computer compartment

So, as you read above, I don't care for velcro. What compounds the issue in this bag is that a padded flap held shut by a 5-inch strip of velcro is all that holds your computer in place. If it is a particularly thin model, under the wrong circumstances it might slide out the side and onto the hard floor of the airport checkpoint. It should be zippered in a secure compartment.
There IS a nylon strap inside the computer compartment that can be used to further secure the computer (again, held shut by my beloved velcro), but these straps are a pain and consequently are almost never used.

Additional storage space is small, unexpandable, and inadequate
Lacks compartment for computer charger

I am combining these two, because they are variations on the same theme. Space for other items is essential. You are limited both by TSA rules and practicality on the bags you bring on a plane; this one will count as "purse, briefcase, or personal item," therefore you better make it count. It should have room for papers, pens, 1 or more books, and, of course, since laptops do not live by battery power alone, a designated compartment for your computer's CHARGER.
This bag fails. The interior pocket that's large enough for papers has no sealing mechanism when the bag is open for xray, so they can flop out. The exterior pocket has not particularly useful and exceedingly tiny compartments, so most things in there turn into a jumbled mess. There ARE clear plastic slots for business cards on BOTH, so if you can't remember who you are, you can quickly check either one to find out. Also, the front pocket seals with our old friend velcro, so it's nice & noisy to open, will fail prematurely, and lets items potentially fall out the ends of the flaps when the bag is on end or inverted (as all bags over the course of road-warrior battle-hardening will be, sooner or later).

In spite of all my harsh criticism, I give this bag 3 stars because every other bag out there is even worse. If you want to incorporate my design improvements in a future bag, I will be happy to give it a glowing review.

Good luck, and see you at the airport.

Pros:
1. Easy: The Targus Zip-Thru Case, as advertised, is great for passing through US Airports.
2. Look and feel: Conservative and professional look and feel. The bag is professional enough to carry into meetings with clients and has a very classy look that is not too gimmicky or flashy.

Con;
1. Build Quality: Construction of the shoulder cushion needs improvement. The padding began to show on first use with loaded 15.1inch laptop and completley ripped apart after several use. The bag itself is made up of very durable material.
2. Space: With 15.1inch laptop, there was not much room for anything else. I had a hard time finding space for the laptop power supply. With one 200 page book and power supply and laptop, it was hard to fit anything else besides pens.

If your travels are light with need to carry just your laptop, I highly recommend this bag.

This bag has sleek sexy look to it but yet is also durable, spacious, and made to fit quite a few accessories. I was skeptical about buying a laptop case online being that i wasn't able to scrutinize it completely and verify it passes all of my expectations. I'm pleasantly surprised, however, it has more than surpassed them, and is worth getting even if you already have a case but are searching for a better one. 5/5 stars for sure thanks targus/amazon I'll recommend this to everyone.

I love this laptop case. I had bought the same one at Best Buy for $20.00 more than it cost on Amazon (which I promptly took back and then purchased online). It's sturdy and has room for everything I need. I had a more expensive, stylish women's case that didn't hold up. This bag is very functional and reliable.

I purchased this case 5 months. It's great for passing through airport security, but on a recent trip I noticed the internal flap that Velcros to the partition covering the computer has ripped at the seam. This is a weak spot that the manufacturer could of used thicker fabric.