Imago and a Cache

[teacherman]

Who uses their Imago as a laptop bag for their Macbook Pro 13" in a cache?
Just curious how it fits. Also, what is the cache like? I'm sure it's the usual TOM BIHN quality, but just wondering how it feels/protects a laptop.

Thanks for your help!

[wennefer]

I use the Imago as a laptop bag for my 13" MackBook Air. The MBP will be a little thicker but otherwise has similar dimensions. I use the cache, which is is nicely padded and uses a flap to close it, instead of zippers. I feel that it protects the Air well and the outer surface has enough texture to make one feel secure when holding the computer in the cache. it's easy to take the cache out of the Imago when going through airport security (and the computer can stay in the cache). The cache is a snug fit, but with practice it's easy to get the computer in and out. And the snug fit means that the computer is going to stay in the cache, no matter how it's held.

[bramhubbel]

I used my Imago with a MBP in a cache for about a year. The cache just fits into the Imago. I'm a teacher and I often wanted to bring home a folder with papers and a book with me, and I could just make it fit. Depending on one's perspective, this tight fit was a good thing or a bad thing. But, to answer your question, you can use an Imago with a MBP in a cache.

[DQBunny]

I was just coming on here to ask the same thing. I'd need a cache for an 11" MacBook Air though, which would net a bit more room.

[wennefer]

Here's what goes into my Imago, along with 13" MBA.

In the big compartment: MBA in cache, iPad in Apple case, large organizer pouch with papers, eyeglasses in hard case, pen/pencil clear organizer pouch.
In one inner pocket, the MBA's power adapter and Ethernet adapter. In the other inner pocket, an ultrasuede screen cloth and a small pouch with iPhone stuff (charge, cable, car adapter, external battery).
The front open pocket has a couple of pouches (one with ID, one for random small things). I usually carry the FJN in the back slit pocket.

[DQBunny]

Thanks, wennefer, that's really good to know. How heavy is the bag with all of that, or is it still light?

I'm trying to decide if I want to go for another Ristretto -- which also doubled as an awesome purse -- or if this combination will work. I tried lugging around the MBA in my current Ristretto, but I'm not sure how I care for the orientation with an actual laptop. I did love that everything was so compact though. I still have my ID, but I think it might be a little too large for what I want.

I see you have a Ristretto for iPad as well. How does it compare to the Imago/Cache combination?

[wennefer]

With both MBA and iPad, I wouldn't call the bag light (they weigh about 4.5 lbs). But I find it pretty comfortable, and I just have the standard strap on the Imago. And the 11" Air is about half a pound lighter.

Since I have a 13" MBA, that won't work in the Ristretto for iPad. I really like the Ristretto. I use it all the time when I'm carrying the iPad around and as you say, it works well as a purse (especially if I don't take the bluetooth keyboard with me).

I like both bags. They're both versatile and I like having both the vertical and horizontal orientations.

[teacherman]

Wennefer: This really helps. My wife and I are buying MBPs today. Super excited--new TB Bags and making the switch to Macs! The past month has been really good to us! Now we just need to buy some caches and organizer pouches.
It's good to know that so much can fit in the bag with the cache in there. I'm a teacher too and usually need to bring papers to grade, and the comp to post grades. Seems like it's going to work out.
Thanks for all your input!

[Katy]

Wennefer: This really helps. My wife and I are buying MBPs today. Super excited--new TB Bags and making the switch to Macs! The past month has been really good to us! Now we just need to buy some caches and organizer pouches.
It's good to know that so much can fit in the bag with the cache in there. I'm a teacher too and usually need to bring papers to grade, and the comp to post grades. Seems like it's going to work out.
Thanks for all your input!

Woooo! Congratulations on the switch!

[teacherman]

New MBPs and another Imago

So my wife and I bought our new MacBook Pros on Friday, a day after the new refresh came out. Oh man are they nice. It's our first time using Macs and we are sold on them forever.
In addition to that, last night we ordered caches (which, sadly are on back order), some organizer pouches, and my wife bought an Imago (olive, cork, steel) because she was jealous of mine! Super excited; can't wait for it to all come in!
Thanks for everyone's help and input.

[quacksalve]

I have the Imago in similar colors (steel, cork, wasabi) and a MacBook Pro and they are both fantastic. Good taste, teacherman!

[ScottE22]

teacherman - Congrats on making the switch to the Mac!

I'm about to buy an 11" Air and have been looking for "just the right bag." I have an ID that I absolutely love and wasn't sure about another messenger-style bag. I bought the ID because I have a 13" MBPro at work and a 15" MBPro (pre-unibody) at home and needed something that could carry them on the occasions when I need them.

Planning the move to an Air as my primary machine has been an interesting exercise in paring down the stuff I need on my computer. I'm hoping it'll be a computer that is easier to carry around on a regular basis...

I started out looking at the Ristretto for MacBook Air, but I'm 6'4" and wondering if the vertical orientation would appear a little too "purse-like." Yes, I am aware that this is entirely my problem.

Anyway, I'd completely overlooked the Imago until I saw mav's video and saw how perfectly it holds the 11" Air in a Cache. On the flip side, I'm not sure I need two messenger-style bags. The Imago has a different look than the ID, but still...

Sounds like folks here love their Airs and their Imagos so I may pull the trigger this week on both...