ID Size vs. Zephyr Size?

[MagicTiki]

Folks,

I have found these forums to be amazingly helpful... I too seek the one bag that will solve all my needs (work, school, casual travel). I tend to switch needs often, so flexibility is key for me.

I love the design and features of the ID, but you cannot buy more size. I saw a great thread on the Empire Builder vs. Zephyr... can anyone comment on the size/capacity comparision between the ID and Zephyr?

Also, does anyone have any experience in carrying a 17" computer in either the Zephyr or ID bag sans brain bag? Will it fit?

Thanks for your advice!

--The Magic Tiki

[lpotr4]

ID will fit, but...

From my own experience, the ID can accommodate a 17" MacBook Pro/PowerBook G4 sans Brain Cell. I used it with a Tucan sleeve (similar in dimensions to InCase's sleeve) and it fit snuggly, using Tom Bihn's better padded Soft Cells also fit, although a bit more tighter, especially at the top corners when you zip/unzip the main compartment holding the laptop -- you may have to squiggle it a bit to get the zippers over the sleeve edges (if the ID were just an inch or even half an inch taller, it would have been an exact fit!). I would also recommend removing the annex clips inside the ID to avoid scratching your laptop (regardless of it being inside a sleeve or not).

[MagicTiki]

Thank you!

Thanks for the guidance!

I hope to not have to lug around a 17" laptop, but I was curious about how it would handle in emergencies.

Given the feature set I was looking for, I ended up ordering the ID. I am very excited to post a review once I get it, and a bunch of pictures to help others with their selection process!

--Bob

[Darcy]

We recommend against putting anything inside of a bag that will put pressure on the zipper -- this could cause the zipper to prematurely wear out. It'll run you about $30-$40 to have the main compartment zipper of the ID replaced because of that.

[lpotr4]

I agree with Darcy, it was a bit of a struggle to put the MBP 17" inside the ID especially when using a thicker sleeve like the Soft Cell which is why I eventually got an Empire Builder instead for my laptop carrying needs. But using a Tucan sleeve did not put any strain at all on the zippers since it wasn't adding any bulk to the the size of the MBP 17 (which by itself slides in effortlessly), nevertheless, the ID is now relegated to non-laptop duties.

[MagicTiki]

In the true spirit of buying your computer to match your Tom Bihn bag, I think this is the perfect excuse to buy a Macbook Air... to make sure I have room for, um, textbooks and other important stuff.

At least that's the pitch I'll throw by my wife!

[Darcy]

In the true spirit of buying your computer to match your Tom Bihn bag, I think this is the perfect excuse to buy a Macbook Air... to make sure I have room for, um, textbooks and other important stuff.

At least that's the pitch I'll throw by my wife!

There you go. That's something we can support.

[moriond]

Hi Luis,

I agree with Darcy, it was a bit of a struggle to put the MBP 17" inside the ID especially when using a thicker sleeve like the Soft Cell which is why I eventually got an Empire Builder instead for my laptop carrying needs. But using a Tucan sleeve did not put any strain at all on the zippers since it wasn't adding any bulk to the the size of the MBP 17 (which by itself slides in effortlessly), nevertheless, the ID is now relegated to non-laptop duties.

You've mentioned a Tucan sleeve a few times in your posts -- are you talking about the Tucano Second Skin? I use a sleeve with my 12" PowerBook in the original-sized Buzz; in the ID I carry my laptops in a Brain Cell, as described in this post from a thread discussing when people use the Soft Cell. There's also a link in that post to some other pictures of the Tucano Second Skin, so you can see how tight the Tucano skin's fit is (if that's what Luis was using with his ID bag).

[lpotr4]

You've mentioned a Tucan sleeve a few times in your posts -- are you talking about the Tucano Second Skin? I use a sleeve with my 12" PowerBook in the original-sized Buzz; in the ID I carry my laptops in a Brain Cell, as described in this post from a thread discussing when people use the Soft Cell. There's also a link in that post to some other pictures of the Tucano Second Skin, so you can see how tight the Tucano skin's fit is (if that's what Luis was using with his ID bag).

Yes, Tucano is the correct name brand, although the neoprane padded sleeve I use is an earlier model made for PowerBooks which seems thinner than the current line made for MacBooks. They look like this: