What bag?

[ceb]

No, that's not the name of a British luggage magazine, but a question.

With my Western Flyer I got a #5 Brain Cell (about 4 more brain cells than I have) but I'll probably need an extra computer bag.

What is the smallest bag that:

Doesn't have a flap that needs to be opened to get to the computer section
Fits the Brain Cell
Has a couple of pockets for phones and an easy to get to pocket for a paperback book.

Thanks

[jeffmac]

You may want to look at the Zephyr. It does have a flap but the brain cell goes in the main zippered section.

[ceb]

Yes, I was looking at that too, but was hoping for something smaller. A flap is fine as long as I don't have to undo it to get to the computer.

[ceb]

Screw smaller. How much bigger does the Empire Builder seem over the Zephyr seems? I'm looking for real life "the EB seems hue" or "the EB doesn't feel much larger." The more I read about those bags the better they sound.

[daisy]

The Beloved just got himself an EB. We don't have a Zephyr so can't compare sadly.

For our car trip this weekend (holiday weekend in Australia), it held a 17in mbp in braincell, various chargers and whatnots in pouches, plus a bunch of magazines in the back pocket. I carried it in when we returned and it weighed more (8.2kg) than I want to tote but the B says he loves it.

It did tend to fall on its face when set down (sign of a good weekend perhaps?) but that can most probably be fixed with better packing.

It is a very well built bag.

[ceb]

The Beloved just got himself an EB. We don't have a Zephyr so can't compare sadly.

For our car trip this weekend (holiday weekend in Australia), it held a 17in mbp in braincell, various chargers and whatnots in pouches, plus a bunch of magazines in the back pocket. I carried it in when we returned and it weighed more (8.2kg) than I want to tote but the B says he loves it.

It did tend to fall on its face when set down (sign of a good weekend perhaps?) but that can most probably be fixed with better packing.

It is a very well built bag.

Thanks Daisy. I trust you had a good weekend too, but didn't take a nosedive.

cheers

[Janine]

Screw smaller.

Hahahahaha!

[Katy]

I find these threads incredibly helpful for deciding between the Zephyr and Empire Builder:

http://forums.tombihn.com/bag-reviews/1027-empire-builder-zephyr-comparison-part-i.html

http://forums.tombihn.com/bag-reviews/1028-empire-builder-zephyr-comparison-part-ii.html

[ceb]

Katy;

You're just trying to get me to buy one of each...

From the reviews I'm actually leaning towards the Zephyr too. My Western Flyer should be arriving today with a passel of extra stuff so maybe that'll make my decision easier.

Cheers