Mac Monday Review: Speck CorePack Messenger Bag

Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Tons of pockets, including a innovative MP3 player pocket and a laptop pocket.
Cons: The fabric outer shell collects dust and lint easily and doesn’t seem super durable.
Overall: This is a really nice bag that Speck has put out. It has all the pockets you’ll need for holding your school work or office files. Even though the fabric doesn’t seem like it would hold up to a lot of abuse, I think the average consumer wouldn’t have any issues or need to worry about it.

This product can be purchsed from Speck for $89.95.

Review: Shinnorie 3 Way Messenger Bag: Metropolis

Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: Tons of pockets, super durable, weather proof and you can wear it 3 different ways.
Cons: High price tag.
Overall: This is an excellent bag that Shinnorie has come out with and I think that it’s well worth the expensive price tag. I have no doubt that this bag would last a long a time and would give you years of use. I love having the ability to switch up the way you want to carry it around, but depending on what you store inside, things may fly around and not settle very well being sideways if you’re using it like a backpack.

This product can be purchsed from Shinnorie for $159.

Video Review: Shinnorie Nylon laptop Bag: Cargo

Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: Weather proof, comes with laptop sleeve, very durable, and comes in a variety of colors.
Cons: Not too many storage pockets, $100 price tag.
Overall: Even though this bag is on the expensive side, I still think you will get years of use out of it. It’s stylish, durable, and should be able to hold most of the things you need.

This product can be purchased directly from Shinnorie for $99.99.

Mac Monday: Spire Endo Messenger Bag

Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Comes with additional waist strap, lightweight, durable, tons of pockets,  fits a 15″ laptop.
Cons: It feels a bit flimsy and thin.
Overall: Although it does feel really lightweight and thin, I think that this bag would last you a long time and that you would be able to fit anything and everything that you would need for school or work.

You can purchase this product directly from Spire for $89.

Mac Monday: Rickshaw Bagworks

Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Pros: Innovative design elements that are also functional, fantastic protective laptop compartment, soft yet very different inside padding, a plethora of pockets, eco-friendly (portions are made out of recycled water bottles).
Cons: The only thing that I can come up with is I would like to see a few more color selections.
Verdict: Let’s start here: I have used this bag for 2 solid weeks virtually everyday and while writing this review I actually had to think for about 15 minutes on what I would put down as a negative. This is a quality bag with a thought out design and is stylish as well as ultra functional. Designed and  made in San Francisco, Rickshaw Bagworks goes far beyond a simple bag company, they are also giving back to the community with involvement in many different non-profit causes.  There is much, much more I can say about this company but go to their website and read WAY more about them than I can cover here.  With their dedication to quality workmanship and accomplishing a near perfect bag I am awarding the “Small Bottles to Bags Commuter Messenger” the Editor’s Choice Award.

You can purchase the Small Bottles to Bags Commuter Messenger from their website for $160 or visit them at their store in San Francisco at 904 22nd Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, I’m sure they will be happy to greet you, tell them Tom from BuyMeAniPhone.com sent you.

Mac Monday Review: Soma Bag by Chrome

Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: High quality durable fabric, weather proof, really cool retro seat belt buckle.
Cons: It might be a little high priced for the average person looking for a laptop bag.
Verdict: If you are on a bike for the large portion of your day, this is a must have bag for you. It’s really comfortable, durable and it looks nice. Even if you don’t know how to ride a bike, I think you’ll still appreciate this bag. It is on the more expensive side, but I think that it will last you a long time.

This product can be purchased directly from Chrome Bags for $140

Mac Monday Review: Timbuk2 Messenger Bag

Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: Quality construction and workmanship, deep cavity that will hold all your stuff, a true messenger bag, great customer service, a plethora of design and styles to choose from.
Cons: This particular model did not come with a laptop compartment but others from Timbuk2 do. Not a ton of pockets.
Verdict: A quality messenger bag that will last a long time.  The interior lining will provide some weather proofing for your gear.  Timbuk2 makes true messenger bags that will suit the hard core bike messenger as well as the person who simply wants a stylish bag to transport their gear.

You can check out all the offerings from Timbuk2 by clicking here.

“Mac Monday”: Tom Bihn

Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: High quality construction, custom sized laptop pouch (Brain cell) that act as 2 bags in one. This bag is weighted perfectly when you are carrying it around town, enough space to carry all your essentials but not so big you feel like you are carrying a suitcase.
Cons: After putting all the add-ons you would want: Brain Cell ($60), Light ($20), Upgraded Shoulder Strap ($15-$20), and Organizer pouches ($5-$12), the price jumps to roughly $250.  Keep in mind though you get what you pay for.
Verdict: Some of you may have never heard of Tom Bihn but I want to make sure you know about them now. They’re a company located in the seemingly far reaches of the Great Upper Northwest that makes a quality bag that should last a lifetime.  With a plethora of styles and designs to choose from, the toughest decision you will have is what style you want.  The ID bag from Tom Bihn does not disappoint; a highly protective and stylish bag with ample room that will surely meet your needs when it come to lugging your gear around.

The ID bag from Tom Bihn can be purchase from their website for $140.  Be sure to check out all their other offerings online or if your ever in Seattle be sure to visit their factory showroom:  Tom Bihn Factory Showroom, 2203 1st Ave. S Suite #200, Seattle, WA 98134.  They’ll be happy to see you.

“Mac Monday”: Speck PortPack

Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Unique vertical design, innovative hidden handle, very soft laptop pocket, cool mp3 player pocket with headphone pass through. Nice touch with a water bottle pocket that can be hidden with a simple zip.
Cons: Not a ton of capacity, would have liked to see another color or two.
Verdict: Speck has put out another quality product for it’s fans.  The PortPack is a different approach to the typical laptop bag.  The vertical style lends itself to being a bit more feminine but not overly so that a male feels funny using it.  This is a truly unisex bag.  The handles that hides in the back pocket is my favorite unique innovation on this bag.  As a test I had both myself and my wife use this bag for a few days and we both agree it’s a winner.

The PortPack can be purchased from Speck for $79.99 and comes in either “Coffeehouse Brown Plaid” or “Speakeasy Black Pinstripe”

Mac Monday Review: HigherGround Laptrap bag

Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: This bag doubles as a desk on your lap
Cons: Not a whole lot of storage space
Verdict: This bag seems like it’s geared more towards the student rather than the mobile office worker. It has some nice features and is made of really durable material, so it should last you a very long time.

This product can be purchased directly from HigherGround for $60