Targus XL Backpack Designed for 17 Inch Notebooks TXL617 (Black with Blue Accents)
by Targus
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List Price: Our Price: $48.18 You Save: $31.81 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Targus XL Backpack Designed for 17 Inch Notebooks TXL617 (Black with Blue Accents)
Customer Review: HUGE but GOOD
Summary: 5 Stars
It appears that there isn't much choice in super-huge laptop bags at a decent price. The TXL617 was the best deal that I found which matched my needs.
For me, a laptop backpack needs both shoulder straps and a waist strap. The utility of the waist strap adds a lot to the package, useful for strapping it onto the back of my motorcycle, or securing the backpack while climbing a ladder in an industrial setting.
The other thing that I need it storage. Being a uber-gEEk, I carry all kinds of cables, adapters, connectors, tools, etc. Plus I need to have a compartment for documentation. This backpack has it all. Is it light and dainty to carry? Hardly, but when I bought a super-huge laptop (HP G71-340US) I knew what I was getting into. :)
Anyways, this thing is well constructed, has plenty of storage, was a decent value and was exactly what I was looking for. My previous targus bag for a smaller laptop had a nice rainfly that stuffed in a hidden zippered pouch underneath, but I'd trade that for the extra internal compartment that this backpack has.
My one complaint is that the picture shows the standard targus detachable phone holder (like my other laptop had) but one was not included. Hey Targus, where's my detachable phone holder? (I liked to use my other one for my bluetooth headset.)
Customer Review: Big Bag
Summary: 5 Stars
I am planning to go to Iraq for a year. I've been told to load up on the electronics, but beware the sand which is as fine as baby powder. I also have concerns about impact protection. The product descriptions supplied by previous customers were accurate. This is a big bag with plenty of room for my 15.4" Lenovo wrapped in a sleeve, my 500 GB hard drive, webcam, ipod, camcorder, paperwork, wires and some toiletries and some clothes if I push it. It is true that the older version has an elastic draw string in addition to the clips to keep the front flap snug to the bag and this one does not, a minor nuisance/inconvenience (The front flap contains smaller zipped compartments). My roomate has the older version in the smaller size, and the bag is better with the drawstring, but there are other minor changes that are improvements.
December 1, 2010
This bag can take a licking and keep on ticking in addition to protecting it's contents. Did 5 months out of state travel and then 1 year in Iraq and the bag and it's contents were undamaged. I've had my laptop, inside an additional neoprene sleeve, inside the bag during movement and mobilization with no problems. The bag was even tossed off a few Black Hawk helicopters with no problems. Great product, still using it. Will take it back to Iraq or Afghanistan soon.
Customer Review: Too big for MacBook Pro 17
Summary: 4 Stars
I ordered this bag for my MacBook Pro 17, but the laptop compartment is much too large for my MacBook. I was able to fit my MacBook Pro and my wife's MacBook Pro into the laptop compartment, and there was room for a third! I ended up returning it and buying a SwissGear Carbon II (Swissgear Carbon Backpack Fits Macbook Pro 15IN &17IN Ipod Pocket), which is made for the MacBook Pro 15 and 17 (the Carbon II is a great laptop backpack for the MacBook Pro). The Targus TXL617 is well made and has lots of compartments. I have used a Targus RG0322 Matrix Notebook Backpack for a year or so for my old laptop and liked it a lot. However, the TXL617 is simply too large for the MacBook Pro 17. One other disappointment I would mention is that the TXL617 compartments are not very well designed--there are few compartments higher up in the bag, so everything accumulates in the bottom. As a consequence, the bag is very bulky toward the bottom and empty at the top, and I would think it would be difficult to fit under an airline seat. In contrast, the SwissGear Carbon II bag has compartments distributed so that it has a fairly constant thickness from the bottom of the bag up to the top.Customer Review: A decent laptop pack, but not perfect
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this just this week, and while it holds my HP Pavilion DV9830US 17" Laptop sufficiently, it's not what I hoped for. First off, the padding around the laptop compartment is barely sufficient. I've seen laptop backpacks that provide much more padding. Also, who makes a laptop backpack without CD sleeves?! There is also a front flap that's not sealed, so if you're caught in the rain that compartment will get water in it.
Overall, I wasn't clear on who they designed this for. It was a water bottle holder and some sections that make it seem more like a sport backpack than a student / business travel oriented item, and yet no one is going to go hiking with a 17" laptop... are they? Maybe I'm wrong.
The straps seem solid, though around the shoulders they can dig in a bit. I'm overweight, so perhaps someone who had thinner shoulders would not have this problem. The overall construction seems fine. Zippers are mostly double which is good, although the exception is the phone/music player slot on the side, which unzips in such a way that you have to hold your device in place while you re-zip, or it will simply fall out.
Customer Review: For the hardcore student!
Summary: 4 Stars
As another review mentioned, this thing is gigantic. It has roughly 10 small pockets and 3 huge compartments for your books. The internal laptop sling (which is why I brought it) is secure and weight-bearing and has a handy velcro strap. This thing even has a detachable front-mounted cell-phone pocket!
I've been putting this baby through hell. Between the books and the laptop and other crap, I usually pack 60+ pounds around. Not only does the Targus handle it, it's actually comfortable. It stands up well to inclement weather and seems to laugh at rain. It's a tough backpack and can stand up to abuse.
If you need a small backpack, get something else. If you need something you could tote a library in, this is it.
Now for the bad stuff. First, the hanging rear pocket complex can be annoying and can slap against the rest of it when you walk. Second, fully loaded this thing makes you look and feel like a turtle. Turn the wrong way in a room and you're sure to knock things over. Yes, again, it IS that big. One last thing - it comes with a waist strap, but the strap is very short. Unless you're Twiggy, don't bother with it.
Hardily recommended. Better than a trendy Jansport bag any day.