I'm in the same boat as you my friend. I ordered an Inspiron 8500 and decided a backpack would complement it nicely. The only people that I know that made notebook cases and such are Targus. They had a really nice backpack called the 'Slam Backpack' but the Dell would not fit into it. The only things that they have that will fit it are the normal cases. I don't know of any other companies that make notebook backpacks so hopefully some other forum members can help us out.
It fits my I8500 just fine, along with my charger, CD's Trackman mouse, media bay Xtra Battery, external wireless card and a few other things. If you need to lug several books around for school, then it may not work for you, as it is not a LARGE bag, but if you carry about what I do it's great because it carries a good amount of stuff without being a huge bulky bag. It is also much less expensive than most of the othere bags out there... $39 is good on the wallet. Mine is blue & black and look alot nicer than in that link.
So if you are looking that will fit tat I8500 O-so-nice and will hold a perty good amount of stuff with out being HUGE or expensive... this is it.
Yeah more than two large text books and a binder won't work. If you don't cary as much stuff as I do, for no real reason, you might be able to get away with it depending on how many books you actually have to carry. The othere larger bag should work, but would also be expensive. I just can't bring my self to believe $80 for a backpack is reasonable!
I had my eye on the BooqPac3 but couldn't justify the price. I found this one in a circuit city store and my 8500 fits in it perfectly in the laptop sleeve. I give it 2 thumbs up, no complaints. It has plenty of room for the computer, charger, big headphones, books, whatever you want. It has 3 smaller outer zippered compartments that have a solid shell to protect the contents from shock - 1 sized nicely for a cd player, the other two on the sides about the size to fit an average cell phone.
I hope this helps. Only $60 bucks, too. Which is cheap when seen next to the BP3
Another thing: The side of the bag that rest against one's back, as well as the straps, has a gell-like feel. Comfortable for trucking around an airport or exotic destination. A must for all the computer nerd/handsome playboy/world traveler/mystery men <===Description of all 8500 owners, right?
Message Edited by bendaniels2112 on 08-16-2003 07:39 PM
I also have an 8500 and got a backpack to carry it around in at school this fall. I got a jansport gizmo backpack from ebags. It fits the 8500 and works great.
When I ordered my 8500 I got the backpack that Dell offered. I THINK it's Kennsington. My son is using it at college and loves it. He's toting my old 8100 around in it, but the 8500 fits fine.
O my yes, you can probably get a book in the same pocket as the laptop and then there is another large pocket(actually larger than the one with the laptop slot) for books and all sorts of things, there is also a spot above that perfect for the a/c adaptor.
So I've been searching through the forums, and tirelessly searching retail websites for backpacks. However, it seems almost impossible to tell whether or not a backpack will fit the I8500. My best luck has been with ebags though not all of their bag listings specify the maximum dimensions of the laptops they hold. I have two questions. Has anybody had experience with the Ogio Metro backpack? It seems to be the best backpack that I can find. Now the laptop max. dimensions are listed as 15.5" x 11" x 1.5". That is certainly cutting it close as Dell lists the I8500 dimensions as 14.22" x 10.87" x 1.52". The last number is the one that concerns me. The other question is in general does anybody know of backpacks that will fit the I8500 for sure? With all the I8500 users someone must have found a backpack that will fit, though I admit it is absurd how small of a selection there is.
Thanks a lot guys, I'd appreciate any input on the matter.
Josh S.
I have a Targus backpack for my Toshiba 5200, which is a bit thicker (in the back) than the 8500 and the 8500 is a bit wider. My 5200 just fits the compartment lengthways (meaning thickness). The 8500 should have no problem. I really like this notebook backpack. It's well made, with plenty of compartments and very comfortable shoulder straps.
It fits my I8500 just fine, along with my charger, CD's Trackman mouse, media bay Xtra Battery, external wireless card and a few other things. If you need to lug several books around for school, then it may not work for you, as it is not a LARGE bag, but if you carry about what I do it's great because it carries a good amount of stuff without being a huge bulky bag. It is also much less expensive than most of the othere bags out there... $39 is good on the wallet. Mine is blue & black and look alot nicer than in that link.
So if you are looking that will fit tat I8500 O-so-nice and will hold a perty good amount of stuff with out being HUGE or expensive... this is it.
I have a Targus and I love it! It can hold a couple of text books along with the notebook, some peripherals and even a water bottle! The contoured stratps are so comfortable, I hardly know I'm wearing it.
I'm also looking for a backpack for my soon to be arriving i8500.
Do yall think it is necessary to have a seperate laptop sleeve up against your back? The backpack I'm wanting doesnt have one, but I was worried that the laptop may not be protected enough if its not in a sleeve. I assume a sleeve is pretty much required but was hoping someone with experience with it could make a suggestion. Thanks
Meelapo
11 Posts
0
August 16th, 2003 05:00
I'm in the same boat as you my friend. I ordered an Inspiron 8500 and decided a backpack would complement it nicely. The only people that I know that made notebook cases and such are Targus. They had a really nice backpack called the 'Slam Backpack' but the Dell would not fit into it. The only things that they have that will fit it are the normal cases. I don't know of any other companies that make notebook backpacks so hopefully some other forum members can help us out.
Regards,
MeelaPo
Papa Smurf
37 Posts
0
August 16th, 2003 06:00
i heard some good comments about "bp3" backpacks from http://www.booqbags.com - i looks nice but it's gonna cost you quite a lot.
i can't say anything much about it, because i never tried this bag. but it does look very tempting. also i8500 should fit alright...
maybe if you buy one, you can post on what it's like...
-papa smurf-
Meelapo
11 Posts
0
August 16th, 2003 06:00
I did a little searching on ebags.com and it looks like this JanSport bag will fit the Inspiron. Here's the link: http://www.ebags.com/JanSport/PC_Port/product_detail/index.cfm?ModelID=15694&bb_id=&Suggestions_20_Link=15694
The only thing about these backpacks is that they seem to go for around $99 so it would be quite expensive after converting it to Canadian dollars.
Meelapo
11 Posts
0
August 16th, 2003 08:00
RojasTKD
105 Posts
0
August 16th, 2003 08:00
This is what I use:
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=TBS600
It fits my I8500 just fine, along with my charger, CD's Trackman mouse, media bay Xtra Battery, external wireless card and a few other things. If you need to lug several books around for school, then it may not work for you, as it is not a LARGE bag, but if you carry about what I do it's great because it carries a good amount of stuff without being a huge bulky bag. It is also much less expensive than most of the othere bags out there... $39 is good on the wallet. Mine is blue & black and look alot nicer than in that link.
So if you are looking that will fit tat I8500 O-so-nice and will hold a perty good amount of stuff with out being HUGE or expensive... this is it.
RojasTKD
105 Posts
0
August 16th, 2003 08:00
bendaniels2112
18 Posts
0
August 16th, 2003 23:00
I picked up this bag http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-10123&qp=0&bookmark=bookmark_17&oid=71822
Motions Systems 50DGT-BLK in black.
I had my eye on the BooqPac3 but couldn't justify the price. I found this one in a circuit city store and my 8500 fits in it perfectly in the laptop sleeve. I give it 2 thumbs up, no complaints. It has plenty of room for the computer, charger, big headphones, books, whatever you want. It has 3 smaller outer zippered compartments that have a solid shell to protect the contents from shock - 1 sized nicely for a cd player, the other two on the sides about the size to fit an average cell phone.
I hope this helps. Only $60 bucks, too. Which is cheap when seen next to the BP3
Another thing: The side of the bag that rest against one's back, as well as the straps, has a gell-like feel. Comfortable for trucking around an airport or exotic destination. A must for all the computer nerd/handsome playboy/world traveler/mystery men <===Description of all 8500 owners, right?
Message Edited by bendaniels2112 on 08-16-2003 07:39 PM
ilkevinli
32 Posts
0
August 17th, 2003 00:00
Sting7k
62 Posts
0
August 17th, 2003 05:00
Mainer14
1 Message
0
August 17th, 2003 09:00
Meelapo
11 Posts
0
August 17th, 2003 18:00
Sting7k
62 Posts
0
August 17th, 2003 23:00
RandyB
518 Posts
0
August 18th, 2003 00:00
I have a Targus backpack for my Toshiba 5200, which is a bit thicker (in the back) than the 8500 and the 8500 is a bit wider. My 5200 just fits the compartment lengthways (meaning thickness). The 8500 should have no problem. I really like this notebook backpack. It's well made, with plenty of compartments and very comfortable shoulder straps.
RandyB
518 Posts
0
August 27th, 2003 16:00
I have a Targus and I love it! It can hold a couple of text books along with the notebook, some peripherals and even a water bottle! The contoured stratps are so comfortable, I hardly know I'm wearing it.
kwest2
123 Posts
0
August 27th, 2003 18:00
I'm also looking for a backpack for my soon to be arriving i8500.
Do yall think it is necessary to have a seperate laptop sleeve up against your back? The backpack I'm wanting doesnt have one, but I was worried that the laptop may not be protected enough if its not in a sleeve. I assume a sleeve is pretty much required but was hoping someone with experience with it could make a suggestion. Thanks