The new Ristretto

[gonty]

Thanks Jerelyn, just what I needed to know.

[jerelyn]

Can someone give me an idea of how big the main compartment is? I mean the full depth compartment right next to the notebook sleeve.

Is it deep enough to fit a hardback book, say 1.5 inches thick?

Yep. It'll bulge forward, but it will fit. I just tried it with my HP 2730p plus a 2.25" thick hardcover book, and it was fine. Though not so sleek. But good enough that a lover of thick library books like myself can manage OK.

Now an thick text book...that I couldn't say. In order to handle the depth I did lose a little width, so a wide book might have problems.

The one downside I've noticed so far is that the front pocket has a lot of space down at the bottom...but getting *to* that space is a little tight. So it makes it good for laptop accessories, but not so good a place to put my cell phone wallet. Can't just toss it in and grab it out fast.

I really do like this bag even for when I don't ahve a laptop with me...the laptop compartment is great for keeping paperwork from being bent or smished, even without adding a file folder. I don't imagine a normal cafe bag could do that for you.

[Darcy]

The narrow strap just makes the bag look too much like a purse, whereas a wider strap would give it a more masculine, classically messenger baggish look. Here is an example of a similarly-sized bag (though hopelessly overpriced and ruined by the inclusion of velcro) with a wider strap. Gives it a much different look overall.

That's an interesting point - something I haven't thought of before.

[mplsnst]

The Small and Medium Cafe bags definitely won't have d-ring attachment points - most feel that the Absolute, Standard Strap, etc. are too big/bulky for bags so small. We are coming up with a great shoulder pad wrap for the Small and Medium Cafe bags, though!

A Kindle/Netbook Ristretto is in the works.

While I agree the Absolute would be a bit much for the Medium Cafe, I'd still like one with d-rings so I could replace the 1.5" strap with a 2" or 2.5" one. This is partly because wider straps distribute heavier loads better (I sometimes carry a 12" laptop to work in my MCB, and the current strap is less than optimal on those days), but also partly because hey, I'm male. The narrow strap just makes the bag look too much like a purse, whereas a wider strap would give it a more masculine, classically messenger baggish look. Here is an example of a similarly-sized bag (though hopelessly overpriced and ruined by the inclusion of velcro) with a wider strap. Gives it a much different look overall.

That said, thumbs up on the shoulder pad idea, and as for the Kindle Ristretto, the Medium Cafe is pretty much already the perfect Kindle DX bag, isn't it?

[gonty]

How big?

I'm trying to get a better idea of what will fit in a Ristretto before handing over my hard-earned to have one shipped to Australia.

Can someone give me an idea of how big the main compartment is? I mean the full depth compartment right next to the notebook sleeve.

Is it deep enough to fit a hardback book, say 1.5 inches thick?

Thanks

[cancoi]

We are coming up with a great shoulder pad wrap for the Small and Medium Cafe bags, though!

A Kindle/Netbook Ristretto is in the works.

Put me first on the list for the wrap! Love my MCB but the plastic pad is not kind to my shoulder with summer clothing.

[jerelyn]

My new plum ristretto arrived last week, and I wanted to let you know that you can add the HP 2730p to the list of laptops it will accommodate beautifully.

One pleasant surprise was the way that the laptop compartment didn't extend all the way to the bottom of the bag. That extra space down there made it so that my power cables, or anything else appropriately sized, barely take any space from where I'd put my notebook.

Looking forward to the reveal of the smaller ristretto (<3 my sony reader).

[Darcy]

Yes!
Now I have to ask - the K2 or the DX?

Both! It will be a better fit for the DX.

[Foggy Morn]

...

A Kindle/Netbook Ristretto is in the works.

Yes!

Now I have to ask - the K2 or the DX?

(I'm hoping the latter, but my K1 (yes, I kept it when I bought the DX) would probably fit in a pouch made for the K2 as long as it wasn't too snug.)

[Darcy]

The new Ristretto looks very nice. Although Darcy has already nixed the idea, I think that the layout could be the new standard for the Cafe bags by simply eliminating the padded laptop compartment. Or better yet, offer the laptop compartment as an option for all sizes of the "new" Cafe bag and the small Cafe can satisfy those clamoring for a "netbook" or Kindle-sized Ristretto.

The Small and Medium Cafe bags definitely won't have d-ring attachment points - most feel that the Absolute, Standard Strap, etc. are too big/bulky for bags so small. We are coming up with a great shoulder pad wrap for the Small and Medium Cafe bags, though!

A Kindle/Netbook Ristretto is in the works.

[jlee97]

The new Ristretto looks very nice. Although Darcy has already nixed the idea, I think that the layout could be the new standard for the Cafe bags by simply eliminating the padded laptop compartment. Or better yet, offer the laptop compartment as an option for all sizes of the "new" Cafe bag and the small Cafe can satisfy those clamoring for a "netbook" or Kindle-sized Ristretto.

[lauragayle]

waaaah! I love this new Ristretto (and my existing one is a few weeks old!)!! I waaaant!

[Foggy Morn]

Like rabergnc, I love this redesign. It sounds as if TB addressed all the issues I'd had with my original Ristretto. Sounds like it's a great bag.

Unfortunately, I'm also like rabergnc in that I have too many bags already and really need to cull a few before adding more.

That said, I am wondering how well the old Ristretto could cradle my Kindle Dx. Hmm... off to test. If it works, what a grand excuse for another bag.

(Notice how quick that turnaround was? LOL)

[rabergnc]

As an owner of one of the original Ristrettos (even pre-ordered it!), I like the idea of the changes in the new one, especially moving the pockets from the main compartment to the front compartment. It will likely make access easier. As much as I'd like to get the new one, I already have too many bags and probably need to sell some of the old ones before I bring new ones in.

[cancoi]

Very nice!

Quite nice!