How to Find the Perfect Briefcase
Business travel makes me feel like I’m in a modern day version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Only the three bears symbolize the three briefcases I own. Unlike our fairytale privacy invader, none are just right for me. I am on a mission to find the perfect briefcase.
Rolling Swiss Army Briefcase
Approximate Cost: (it was a gift)
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Benefits
- They see me rollin’. This makes airport travel easier. Life before rolling travel gear must have been terribly un-ergonomical.
- Pockets Galore. This bag has many compartments so it can fit everything in it’s own area.
Drawbacks
- While this bag is great for organization, it’s too big to fit under some airport seats. It becomes inconvenient in small planes.
- While most of the bag is extremely sturdy, the handle’s retractable construction is not on par with the rest of the bag’s craftsmanship.
What other people think about it:
This is a really popular bag. I was in an airport restroom this week and three out of four women had one. I began to question them about how they liked it. They found it more sturdy than most bags. One woman said that her bag has lasted over six months, which surprised her, because she replaces her rolling briefcases about two to three times per year. She also agreed that the handle seemed less rugged but it was still quite functional.
Standard Issue Dell Laptop Bag
Approximate Cost: Free
Overall Rating: 2 out of 5
Not Comfortable, Not Stylish - The standard issue Dell laptop bag is not stylish and it’s definitely not comfortable. I want to lug this bag around an airport like I want to carry a team of non-value added coworkers on my back.
Benefits
- It’s Free! Upon receipt of a company laptop, this bag comes with it.
- Less is More. This bag will help avoid over packing.
Drawbacks
- You’re so Vain. It’s ugly. Enough Said.
- Caution: Improper use may cause scarring. Actually with this laptop bag, even using it correctly can cause scarring. See one woman’s battle scars, below:
Generic Girly Laptop Bag
Cost: $30
Overall Rating 3 out of 5
For a cheap bag that I bought at K-Mart, this black nylon bag was one of my best buys for style and functionality. This bag looks professional from the outside but on the inside, it’s bright pink. There’s nothing like a little color to brighten your day when you have all day meetings, one after the other. It is not too heavy to haul around. It’s perfect for every day meetings but not perfect for overnight business trips.
Benefits
- Compactness. It’s partition separates a laptop from a notepad. There are slots for identification and pens.
- Rugged, yet girly on the inside
Drawbacks
- While perfect for a day trip, this bag is not quite big enough for airport travel. You would have to carry both your purse and your laptop bag together which is okay, until you try to grab a skinny mocha from Starbucks while trying to keep your plane ticket in your hand, and dodging a family with three kids trying to get to Disney World.
Summary
From my most recent business trip, I think I have realized there may not be *one* perfect bag. Different situations may call for different bags. I would love for you to PROVE ME WRONG!
What I want in the perfect bag:
- Slim
- Rugged
- Multi-compartments
- Wheels are a bonus!
Readers- Have you found a laptop case or briefcase that meets all of your needs? I would love to know the brand, the price, and why you love it.
Vendors- I am willing to test your products and provide feedback on this site as to the functionality and usability. Coming soon, I will officially review travel items from Land’s End.
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Tags: business travel, Style, Travel, Women
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January 27th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I just gave up and now carry a Victorinox (Swiss Army) black media backpack. Not exactly professional, but it carries my laptop and all the accompanying crap, including a purse.
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January 27th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I see more and more people using backpacks to hold their laptops. At a training I received, they just gave us a company monogrammed backpack that will hold a laptop. Perhaps it doesn’t seem professional because the concept of carrying work items on your back is newer, but if my company gave it to me, I have to think it can be accepted as professional (and hopefully yours does too!)
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January 28th, 2008 at 11:29 am
The company I work for has been giving out company backpacks for awhile now and I see a lot of people with the Swiss Army backpacks as well. I’m going to be purchasing a laptop messenger bag from saddleback leather, they are expensive but they have been recommended by quite a few people and they look great, and only get better with age. Then again I am a minimilist so I might not be the best guage.
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January 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
timbuk2 bags are pretty hip and functional.
Just my 2 cents.
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January 28th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I wish I could carry a messenger bag. But I’m a journalist, so I need to be able to carry not only the laptop and accompanying cords, but I also need to carry my digital recorder, headphones and camera, plus my pens and notebooks. And because I travel, I have to stick with that 1 1 bag rule. Sigh…
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January 31st, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Marka sells awesome business bags for women
http://www.markaonline.com/occasions.asp
I have the Tommy Carryall as my overnight trip bag.
The bags are incredibly well made and a worthwhile expense.
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March 17th, 2008 at 3:48 am
I like the careerbags.com and kolobags.com designer briefcases, they have awesome designs…