Dell 15" Laptop Deals
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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating -
Average user rating:
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Product summary
The good: Convertible backpack/vertical messenger design; roomy main pocket; thickly padded strap.
The bad: Space cut up into too many pockets. MacBook tie-in is a bit gimmicky.
The bottom line: Even though Targus emphasizes the backpack part of the sleek Radius Convertible Backpack, we like it a lot better as a vertical messenger bag.
Specifications: Weight: 3.5 lbs See full specs
Price range: $74.99 - $95.95
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 11/29/2007
- Released on: 10/01/2007
While a 15-inch MacBook laptop from Apple is really about the same size and weight as a 15-inch laptop from any other PC maker, Targus strikes a clever marketing note by specifically advertising its Radius Convertible Backpack as designed for 13-inch and 15-inch MacBooks. The $99 case is, of course, suitable for any 15-inch or smaller laptop, and if you don't like the backpack look, the twin straps tuck away into a zippered pocket, and you can snap on a traditional shoulder strap to carry it as a vertical messenger.
The Radius Convertible Backpack is black with dark olive-colored accents, giving it a sophisticated urban look, without being too business-like. We much prefer it set up as a saddlebag-style vertical messenger bag than a backpack, because unless you're walking through a college campus, no one looks good lugging a backpack around.
Even though the case only measures 13.3 inches by 19 inches by 4.5 inches, there's a surprising amount of space inside, even if it's divided up into too many individual sections. The main compartment has a padded slot for your laptop--15-inch models are a tight fit and smaller laptops will swim around a bit. The front half of the main compartment accordions out a bit, giving you welcome flexibility for carrying larger accessories.
A second zippered compartment is narrower and seems perfect for papers and magazines, but we'd almost prefer to see it combined with the main area for a larger storage space. Under the flap, a smaller zippered section has labeled pockets for your Apple accessories--an iPod, Apple mouse, and MacBook power supply--but anything roughly the same size and shape will fit in there. That compartment even has its own zippered mesh pocket on its face, while the front flap also has a small zippered pocket built into its outer face, making it the only pocket (except for a water bottle holder and a Velcro accessory pocket on either side of the case) accessible while the flap is closed.
We appreciate the flexibility of the convertible design, but see this as a much better vertical messenger bag than a backpack. The messenger bag shoulder strap has a thick comfortable pad, although it's missing the built-in cord winder (basically a little plastic hook to wind your excess headphone cable around) found on one of the backpack straps.
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Where to buy
Targus Radius Convertible Messenger/Backpack - notebook accessories bundle:
$74.99 - $95.95
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$91.99 |
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$74.99 | Yes |
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Costcentral.com
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$83.41 | Yes |
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$90.94 | Yes |
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Amazon.com
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$95.95 | Yes |
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