Buzz or Incase Sling Pack?

[Guest]

I'm deciding between the Buzz and the Incase Sling Pack.

http://www.goincase.com/2004/prod_laptop/prod_lt_slingpk.php

One thing I've noticed from the pictures: the Buzz is meant to be slung over the right shoulder, while the Incase Sling Pack is slung over the left shoulder.

I'm left handed. When I carry a messenger bag, I sling it over my left shoulder and across my body so that the bag sits on my right. When i use a backpack, I tend to let it hang on one strap over my right shoulder. I don't know if that's how other lefties carry their bags though.

Can anyone advise on which style of strap would be more suited for me?

Another question: can the Buzz fit A4 folders?

Thanks in advance!

[Darcy]

We do have a handful of "left-handed" Buzz bags, so you can choose between a lefty and a righty.

I am out of the office today, but will try putting some A4 folders in the Buzz tomorrow morning and let you know how they fit.

If you happen to get both bags, be sure to let us know what you think of them as you're comparing them.

[rochford]

Thanks, Darcy. Is the only difference between a right-handed and left-handed version the way I swing the bag to the front when I need to retrieve items? ie. to the right for right-handed, and to the left for left-handed?

I also have a suggestion for the next version of the Buzz: would it be possible to have a separately zipped rear laptop compartment, rather than a laptop compartment within the main zipped section? Something like this:

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/shootingstar/453379/666167/

The 2nd and 3rd pictures clockwise from left show the rear laptop compartment, which has a zipper running down the left half of the bag.

It would be great not to have to expose my laptop to dust, rain, prying eyes, etc. each time I retrieve an item from the bag, and is one of the features that's stopping me from grabbing both the Buzz and the Sling Pack.

[Darcy]

A4 papers/files should fit in the Buzz. I couldn't find any in the office to test it, but judging from the dimensions, it should work.

One of the great things about the laptop compartment in the Buzz is that your laptop isn't completely exposed when you open the main compartment. There's a corner flap that secures your laptop inside the laptop compartment and also protects it from being exposed when you open that main compartment.

The right hand version rides on your left shoulder, but the bag swings around from your left side. And the left hand version does the opposite.

[moriond]

Another question: can the Buzz fit A4 folders?
Thanks in advance!

Yup, I just tried inserting some. I also put in a couple of Chartwell 160-page bound A4 journals into the Buzz, along with my 12" PowerBook. The only issue that may come up for you is that the corners come up a little closer to the location of the zipper when the bag is really full than is the case for US letter sized folders. I don't think this is an issue, since when I use the Buzz I'm trying to carry fewer extraneous items.

Folder corners only become an issue when the bag is really full -- see my posting in another Buzz thread in the forums.

[rochford]

Thanks, Darcy and Moriond. I occasionally haved to lug around thick A4 ring binders for work, and it's good to know that they'll be able to fit.

I'm a little confused about the left and right-hand versions of the Buzz though. Do you mean that the model on your webpage is carrying the left-hand version (as the pack sits on his right shoulder)?

Would the price be the same for either?

[teresa]

Hi Rochford,

The model pictured is wearing the right handed version. The left handed version sits on the left shoulder with the bulk of the bag mostly on the right side of the carrier's back. Both the right and left handed versions are $105.

Hope this helps clarify things.

Thanks!

Your friendly Tom Bihn shipping manager,
Teresa

[rochford]

If I may just ask another question... Would the Buzz be able to hold a laptop, A4 file, jacket, and one or two books? Thanks.

[teresa]

The Buzz fits a laptop similar in size to the 12" Powerbook (I didn't see if you'd mentioned which laptop you had but you should consult our handy dandy fitlist to make sure it will fit in the Buzz.) Unless your A4 file was really fat, I would think the list of items you've mentioned would just about be maximum capacity for the Buzz. It would depend on the size and thickness of all the specific items. It does seem to be a similar load as what I routinely carry in my Buzz.

Again, I hope I've been of some assistance.

Thanks again!

Teresa

[moriond]

If I may just ask another question... Would the Buzz be able to hold a laptop, A4 file, jacket, and one or two books? Thanks.

I think, as Teresa says, this really depends on the thickness of your A4 files. If you're talking about file binders with dimensions like 279.4mmx314.3mmx60.3mm (this is roughly 11"x12.5"x2.5") in addition to your laptop (my 12" Powerbook is about 30mm thick), then you won't be able to fit the file binder into the Buzz. The reason is the tapered ergonomic design that makes the Buzz more comfortable to wear also makes it narrower at the top compared to the Incase sling pack (which is basically a rectangular block). Look at the 360 degree view of the Buzz from the side to see this. Besides my laptop, I can put in 3 A4 (297mmx219mm) bound notebooks (combined thickness around 39mm) and a 7"x10"x1" (178mmx254mmx25.4mm) book into the main compartment, and a couple of paperbacks into the front pocket. With that load of books I probably couldn't add a jacket unless it were a light nylon shell.

I use my Buzz when I don't want to carry a lot around -- typically a large textbook, some folders of papers with assignments and handouts, and maybe another book, plus power adapter, pointer, mouse, and miscellaneous small items in the front pocket. You can carry thick binders if you're not also carrying a laptop. But if carrying thick A4 file binders in addition to your laptop is a requirement, you should look at another product.

I have to add that the Buzz is a lot more comfortable than the regular flat cases like the Incase design. I bought this from the site description without having previously purchased a Tom Bihn bag. I expected to like it, but I was surprised by how much I liked it when it arrived. Now, having purchased other Tom Bihn bags, I still consider this my favorite, and I would still say that of all of these, this has delivered the most above expectations from reading the product description. (The new LUX bag is a close second)

[rochford]

Thanks for all the replies. Perhaps the Smart Alec might be a more flexible choice for days when I may have a bit more to carry.

[moriond]

A couple of more comments on the Incase sling pack: this is designed to hold 12" to 17" laptops. I was curious after your posting, so I had a look at this, and a 12" laptop will sit in the pocket with about two fingers' width space all around (i.e. about an inch gap between each side of the laptop and the corresponding vertical side of the compartment, and nearly as much between the lid/bottom of your laptop and the flat back of the compartment).

So a small laptop rides loosely in the compartment without reinforcement. This also means that there's somewhat less room outside of the laptop "pouch" than you might think, because you'd have to crush the flat part of the laptop holder against the laptop to pack in thicker items. I think that pack would work better for a larger laptop (such as the 17" model, or at least the 15" laptop) that fits more closely in the laptop compartment.

[rochford]

Hi Moriond. Do you use a sleeve protector when inserting your laptop into the Buzz? I'm using an Eagle Creek laptop sleeve for my 12" ibook. It's quite thick and I doubt it will fit into the laptop compartment of the Buzz. Would the laptop fit if it's wrapped in a slightly thinner sleeve? I don't quite fancy the idea of letting my ibook sit naked inside, especially when I might also use that compartment to carry other things as well.

On another note, would the Buzz work well as a gym bag? Would I be able to stuff a towel and a pair of trackshoes into the main compartment (when I'm not carrying the laptop)?

[moriond]

Hi Moriond. Do you use a sleeve protector when inserting your laptop into the Buzz?
On another note, would the Buzz work well as a gym bag? Would I be able to stuff a towel and a pair of trackshoes into the main compartment (when I'm not carrying the laptop)?

I don't use a sleeve protector for my 12" PowerBook when I use the Buzz. I use a Size 5 Brain Cell when I carry this laptop in other bags (like the ID bag) or separately. The Buzz is specifically sized to 12" laptops, and the interior holds and protects the laptop inside its compartment. This is not the "industrial strengh" protection of the Brain Cell, but it's pretty good.

Yes, you could use the Buzz to stuff a towel and a pair of track shoes into the main compartment if you're not carrying a laptop. (Some of the Tom Bihn staff can probably advise you more on creative uses of the Buzz.) Hope this helps.

P.S. The laptop is separated from the rest of the main compartment by a divider, and is also supported so that it can't fall out if you open the main compartment. Read through some of the other threads about the Buzz in these forums and look at the product pictures on the web page for the Buzz. When you open the zipper, the laptop is still recessed in the case, and is sheltered by the overhang of outer portion of the bag above the zipper. What's difficult to describe about the Tom Bihn designs is how well all of this works together and how the weights, proportions, and access are all balanced for use. Also, the product designs change in response to customer feedback, so a lot of small details show up that you wouldn't think about just from reading the description.

[Wallflower]

Will the Incase fit my 15.5"x11"x1.5" laptop?

I'm wondering (for anyone that actually owns an Incase Sling Pack already) if the Sling Pack will accomodate a non-Mac 17" laptop. My Toshiba Satellite is 15.5"x11"x1.5" exactly.

I'm worried that the laptop pouch might be too narrow for the 1.5" depth of my Toshiba and that the 15.5" height of it will be too high for the Pack to be zipped up an closed comfortably (I wouldn't want the seams and zippers to be busting out you know?).

Can any current owner help me out?