I carried the same leather computer bag on my travels for decades. It is beat up now, but was perfectly serviceable until the day the shoulder strap hardware failed (no doubt due to my propensity for carrying multiple electronic devices and a couple pounds of power conversion hardware just in case my aircraft is forced to land in an unexpected and not completely civilized part of the world). The loss of that $5 part was the first of a series of small challenges that sent me looking at computer bags.
And there is a lot to look at. Hundreds of choices, each at its own price and quality level and all of them outside my area of expertise. I was overwhelmed for an hour or two.
What simplified my search was the decision that I wanted a very good looking bag with padding and just enough room for a laptop and an ebook reader. No more hauling power converters on board - they go in a suitcase now - or stuffing the compartments with books. 
Simplification made looking around a lot easier. I quickly came to like the Mulholland Brothers deerskin laptop bag from my friends at San Francisco's On the Fly. It is padded, comfortable to carry, and too small to let me throw in twenty pounds of non-essentials as I am rushing out the door.
Of course, I liked the Mulholland luggage already. Their deerskin is great looking even if it does not yet have the patina it will acquire over time. It doesn't hurt that they had a family ranch not far from my house in Sonoma County. And, last but by no means least, On the Fly made the shopping experience easy for me.
One beat up Hartmann belting leather bag without shoulder strap is now looking for a worthy home.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A Minimalist Laptop Bag
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8 comments:
I never use a shoulder strap... :)
will,
what ebook reader are you using...?
can you read it at night with lights off without disturbing your bed partner?
thanks
Amazon's Kindle is not backlit. They call it a feature but you need a small light.
Just like reading with a book light.
Mulholland leather is great stuff. I have some fly reel cases from the 1980s made by them, and a couple of rod cases. These are so well mad that I expect my grandchildren will be using them fifty years from now.
That is beautiful, Will.
The old Mulholland stuff was great the new Chinese made stuff is not as good. You are actually living close to one of the best custom leather shops in SF and for close to retail on that bag you should check out Glaser Designs. Much better looking and he customizes the bag to your needs
Glaser makes excellent things but I prefer the look of Mulholland's designs.
I carry their canvas and leather Safari bag and an overnighter and have been very pleased. Good looking and a good company.
Nice to know they have a laptop bag with handles.
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