Is Tri-Star too big for day to day, in town bag??

[rlandis]

Hi everyone. I'm brand new here. I carry a 15.4 MacBook Pro, iPad 2 w/keyboard cover, pwr supply and assorted cables, small lumix camera & charger, 8x5 Moleskin, typical everyday stuff-pens, checkbook, iphone, thumb drive, sunglasses, small cigar case (2 cigars) & lighter--

Can I get a suggestion for both a backpack, and computer bag, for these items? I like the look of the Tri-Star, but I get the feeling it's way big for this small compliment of items.

Sorry if this subject has been beaten to death...

Regards,
Richard

[dorayme]

Hello Richard, and welcome. The TS IMHO is WAY to large for EDC, it's luggage. TB has several messenger bags and backpacks that would accomodate your load more concisely. The Brain Bag and Smart Alec are the backpack options that wild allow you to have a Brain Cell protective laptop sleeve for your MacBook. The Messenger style bags IMHO depend on whether or not you like zip closure or flap and what internal organization you seek, though additional organization can be added with organizer pouches, the snake charmer, kit or packing cubes of varying sizes.

Will you commute via foot, bike, bus or car may also play into your best bag choice.

[rlandis]

Thanks for your response, Dorayme. I looked up the measurements, and I notice that the BrainBag is actually bigger than the TS, by 3 litres. The SA is 7 litres smaller.
As far as the messenger bags or briefcases, I hadn't thought about yes or no to a flap......there's a lot to know when you're picking these pieces. I'll do more reading, and looking.
BTW, if you weren't aware of it, Do Re Mi is called Solfeggio, which is the system of sight singing using those (and more) syllables for the respective notes. I know, because in school (I went to the High School of Music & Art in NYC) we had to convert written music to those syllables. It's come in very handy in my career.
Best,
Richard

[dorayme]

Ah Richard, I learn new things daily! I didn't realize the Brain Bag has larger capacity than the TS, though itdoesnt surprise me, my husband and son have Brain Bags for their luggage.

If you're looking for photos as well as written descriptions, don't forget the blog archives and Flickr pictures.

As for Solfeggio, I am aware of this! I'm a worship leader, an added benefit is that my married name is Doreen Ray. Off to google your company .

[lonestar6]

I love my TS and it is almost the same size as my computer bag. I guess it depends on how much stuff you will actually carry. You might consider the Western Flyer or the Empire Builder if you want a bag that looks like a briefcase.

[backpack]

The Empire Builder and Cadet Briefcases as well as the Western Flyer and Checkpoint Flyer luggage/briefcase are smaller and would fit your gear without a problem.

The Empire Biulder has a flap, the Cadet is a very stylish and streamlined briefcase.

The Western Flyer and Checkpoint Flyers are designed to combine a classy briefcase with the capacity of holding clothes for a trip.
They enable carry on only business and fun trips.

[rlandis]

Thank you all for you suggestions. I know you all went through this at one point...so many choices. I'll post as soon as I place my order.

[lonestar6]

Good luck. Truth is you really can't go wrong.

[cucciasv]

Hello! And Welcome!

I carry a 15.4 MacBook Pro, iPad 2 w/keyboard cover, pwr supply and assorted cables, small lumix camera & charger, 8x5 Moleskin, typical everyday stuff-pens, checkbook, iphone, thumb drive, sunglasses, small cigar case (2 cigars) & lighter--

Can I get a suggestion for both a backpack, and computer bag, for these items?

Hello, Richard and welcome to the TB Fora!

Your needs are very similar to mine. (Those cigars sound good right about now).

As an Apple consultant and instructor, the list below shows what I need to accommodate as my "Basic Kit":

• my 15" MBP in a sleeve
• my iPad3 in a case
• an iPhone (I use mine naked - er, I mean the iPhone is naked)
• chargers for all three
• video and sound cables and adapters
• sometimes a book or two and file folder
• various accouterments for iPhone photography (in a TB Padded Organizer Pouch, of course)
• two pairs of glasses in their respective cases
• headphones (in a TB Padded Organizer Pouch, of course)
• pens, highlighters, chopsticks, pencils, white-board markers, laser pointer (in a couple of color-coded TB Ballistic Nylon Pen/Pencil Organizer Pouch, of course)
• Pad-o-Sticky-Notes, business cards (in a TB Padded Organizer Pouch, of course)
• A photo of my other TB bag and box collection

Sometimes I need to go see clients for support work. The basic kit will be augmented to include a variety of other techie items needed for support and troubleshooting - disk drives, more cables, a stethoscope, CD/DVD case for software utilities, tool case. This becomes my "Consulting Kit."

For several years, I've been using my beloved Zephyr (Cardinal). And, while I love this indestructible laptop bag, it gets overstuffed carrying my basic kit. In this Summer of Bihn, I have purchased - among other things - a Brain Bag (Steel) backpack for travel and work and a Super Ego (Black/Forest/Cayenne) for work. And, almost forgot, a Co-Pilot (Iberian Dyneema/Steel) as a dedicated cable/tech bag.

It turns out that now, when not traveling, I use the Brain Bag to carry my basic kit. There is a black hole in the Brain Bag which even sucks in my fully-loaded Co-Pilot! (See my Brain Bag review here). The Super Ego is a very large messenger bag version of my Zephyr and so is a fantastic solution for my tech support kit.

I hope this helps give you some insight on your order.

I would be remiss if I didn't warn you about the Bihn Acquisition Syndrome (BAS) and the related TB Anticipation Syndrome. If you want to learn more about this wonderful malady, see the TB Anticipation Syndrome Forum.

Regards,
Sandro

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Someone please help me!
I have BAS (Bihn Acquisition Syndrome)!!

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