Targus TXL617 17 XL Notebook Backpack

Comment: As one other reviewer mentioned, most (if not all) the reviews on here are for a completely different item, a giant backpack that has little in common with the Targus TXL417 17 XL Notebook Case other than a similar looking model number. Not sure why this happened, as it is very misleading.

Anyway, on to the review.

I had received a Samsonite leather case as a gift a few years ago, however, the piece that connects the shoulder strap to the bag had almost completely worn away. So, I wanted a new bag that could hold either my 15" dell laptop for work or my 17" hp personal laptop, along with accessories, books, etc, and I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars.

This case has a lot of space for your laptop. It's nice and padded, and actually has so much room I could probably fit both my laptops in there at the same time. Technically that's not something you want to try, but that's how much space there is in there. I can easily fit my laptop, power supply, wireless mouse, ipod, headphones and a host of other accessories. I spend a lot of time at work and have a mini-pharmacy in my bag, plus lots of papers and whatever book I'm currently reading. This guy carries it all, and the best part is it's really light- when I had that much stuff in my Samsonite leather case, it felt like I was carrying a small child on my shoulder. Not anymore.

This case is made of nylon, and to be quite honest, it isn't the nicest looking thing in the world, I mean compared with other people at my office who have great looking leather bags that probably cost $200+. But that is the least important thing to me, because again my old leather case was nice, but it was heavy, and fell apart after minimal use. This case seems sturdy, and again is quite comfortable. One thing to keep in mind is, while this is roomy for being just a notebook case, it is not a suitcase; i.e. don't expect to fit all of the above I mentioned, PLUS like a change of clothes. Technically you might be able to fit a few pieces of clothing in there, but that's clearly not what it was made for.

Bottom line, if you're looking for an inexpensive, quality, roomy and comfortable case that can fit pretty much any size laptop plus any accessories without feeling too bulky, this is a great choice. And if you have to replace it again in a few years, you only paid $50 for it. Not bad considering other bags out there cost double, triple, even 4-5x this one, but will deteriorate at the same rate (ex. my old ~$100 Samsonite case, which I treated fairly well and did not abuse in any way). Good stuff.

One other note- I used the amazon super saver shipping for free shipping. I placed the order on Friday morning, it was delivered to my door Tuesday afternoon. Why ever pay for shipping?

Comment:
My son loves this bag. He trravels with it, stuffing it with computer gear and cloths. It holds up well. I am thinking of buying another for my next college bound kid.

Comment: Targus makes a rolling case and a backpack with similar model numbers. They are quite different products, but for some reason they are comingled here. Beware.

Comment: I am pleased with the quality and design. Targus is a great product since it was a gift however I will have to wait on feedback of use of the product but I have brought this product before and have no complaints

Comment: I was a traveling teacher a few years ago and used this to carry my laptop, gradebook, planbook and files, among other things in that one bookbag. This bookbag was very bulky and held quite a lot, especially in all of the compartments, but did not last long. After several months the inside fell apart. At the end of the school year I called Targus and sent it back and they exchanged it for an ergonomic messenger bag that held up for the following school year.