Bag for two small laptops

[beancurd]

I already have a Ristretto for my Macbook Air and I love it. Now I have to carry a Panasonic Toughbook CF-W5 as well. Amazingly, it'll squeeze into the bag as well (bet it wasn't designed for that!). But I think a better solution is in order.

I'm basically looking for the smallest form factor solution I can. I don't really carry anything other than the two laptops, power supplies, and a folded shirt. I don't carry around accessories or any other cables or gumf. I'm a very light traveller, I don't carry papers or books or food or anything much else. I need to protect the macbook air (I have a 3rd party sleeve but could grab a TB one), but don't necessarily need to protect the toughbook much. The two laptops only weigh 2lb each.

The Brain Bag, which is designed for two laptops, just looks enormous for my needs, and not great for 'professional needs', ie while wearing a suit. The Empire Builder appears that way too. The ID also looks large. I'm drawn toward the Zephyr but wonder if it's big enough, or too big? I don't mind if it is a briefcase, backpack, or messenger bag, but I need it to look professional. Since I'm enjoying the Ristretto something in that ilk might be suitable. I've trawled the site quite a bit but thought I'd look for suggestions here.

Any suggestions?

ps- I'd tag on a single-bag flyer to the order max out the shipping premium that exists for us overseas people.

[flitcraft]

I suspect that the Zephyr would do the trick. I carry a small Fujitsu computer in a neoprene sleeve in mine, and it fits vertically with lots of room to spare. I think two computers would fit horizontally in the main pocket, especially if one were as thin as the Macbook Air.

The Zephyr is professional looking enough for me for business purposes. (Sadly, that means for me taking the basic black model...) If everyone else is going to be toting expensive Italian leather briefcases, you might think twice, but if you aren't having to impress high end clients, the Zephyr looks fine.

[pretzelb]

I have the Brain Bag and I agree it's not a professional look but I'm not sure what to say since in your opinion a backpack or messenger bag can look professional. In my mind, if someone says professional the only thing that can work is a briefcase style bag. It's all a matter of opinion but when I think suit the only acceptable luggage that goes with it is briefcase.

What about the Western Flyer? I'm not sure it would fit all you want but my guess is that it would be plenty big. It looks to me like a nice travel bag for a professional who has a decent amount to carry.

[thax]

Beancurd,
From a space standpoint if both of your laptops wedge into a Ristretto then pretty much any other TB bag minus the cafe style ones will fit both.

The Ristretto dimensions are:
WxHxD: 10.5 12.5 3 Vol(L): 3 Vol(cu/in): 525 Weight (gm): 400

The Zephyr is bigger:
WxHxD: 16.7 12.4 6.3 Vol(L): 18.5 Vol(cu/in): 1125 Weight (gm): 1500

As you see most of that extra volume is in the depth and width, so if the Ristretto footprint is good and you need more volume it might work for you.
The ID is very similar in size to the Zephyr but is more of a messenger bag and lacks the features that you get in an Empire Builder/Zephyr. Thusly the ID bag weighs less and has more usable volume.

I keep a spreadsheet of most of the TB bags out on google docs for reference when I am lusting after a new bag =)

I am horrible about embedding links but here goes (http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...Y903RXbQ&hl=en)

thax

[Darcy]

I think the suggestion of the Western Flyer is also a good one - it has two separate main compartments of equal size (you can put a Brain Cell or Soft Cell in either compartment - one laptop can go in the back compartment and one can go in the front), it's professional looking and can be carried as a briefcase/shoulder bag but also converts to a backpack. And it's great for travel.

[beancurd]

I think the suggestion of the Western Flyer is also a good one - it has two separate main compartments of equal size (you can put a Brain Cell or Soft Cell in either compartment - one laptop can go in the back compartment and one can go in the front), it's professional looking and can be carried as a briefcase/shoulder bag but also converts to a backpack. And it's great for travel.

Great info from all, thanks. I'm ruminating on whether to get a Zephyr by day and a Aeronaut for travel, or just a Western Flyer for both.

Is there a soft cell or similar for the Macbook Air? The 'fit guide' is returning bad links for the Air right now. Your September post on the forum indicates it could be available by now (November) or soon. I figure my current neoprene sleeve would work just fine though. Would a size 6X brain cell be appropriate instead?

[backpack]

I think nothing can beat the Western Flyer for a dual personality as a stylish briefcase and an handy travel bag which convert to a backpack.

[beancurd]

I placed an order for the Western Flyer. Crossed fingers it'll all be OK.

Thanks!

[beancurd]

For what it's worth, the Western Flyer is here and it's pretty much just what I wanted. For double-laptop travel, a smaller form with the same structure would have been more suitable. But since I'm looking to use it for travel as well, I'm most happy and glad I made this choice. Also happy it is now a backpack not a Sling. The only fault? Lack of a few more D-rings.