13" Ristretto vs. Imago

[teacherman]

Hey everyone,
My wife is currently using an Imago as her main teaching bag. She carries her Macbook Pro in it and brings it to school daily--she's big on technology integration in the classroom and her class PC doesn't cut it.
She's found that her Imago is simply stuffed and heavy. She usually carries her laptop, a planning book, another book, papers to grade/read, and her chargers, wallet, etc. Granted, it all fits in the Imago, but it's at the point where it's too much.
I was wondering who here has owned both an Imago and a Ristretto and their thoughts on each? Is the Ristretto bigger in size/organization?
I'd like to get her one in aubergine for an early Christmas present. Any thoughts/insights would be appreciated!

Thank you,
Teacherman

[bunchgrass]

I own and Imago, a large cafe bag and two Swifts. The Swift might be an option worth considering.

[ncb4]

What size MBP does she have? I'm assuming it's a 13-inch, if she's able to carry it in the Imago. Does she put the Pro in some kind of sleeve or case?

I once owned a Ristretto, but sold it on eBay; and now I carry an 11-inch Macbook Air around with me, so I'm not sure how much help I can be. However, I do have an Imago, a Swift, and a Large Cafe Bag, and I've carried a 13-inch Macbook in each of those. I really like the Swift. I can put my laptop in a case for some extra protection, and the Swift just swallows it up, along with everything else I want to stuff in there. The two clear zipper pockets at the top of the bag are wonderful for keeping things like toiletries or pens/pencils or sunglasses or whatever where you can see them and easily access them. It's a good place to keep a phone, too, so it won't get wet. (The Swift has an open top.) There are four o-rings inside the Swift that your wife could clip either Organizer Pouches, a 3D Clear Packing Cube, Key Straps, or even a Side Effect for additional organization and versatility.

But just to complicate your decision further , you may also want to look at the Large Cafe Bag and see if that might enable your wife to carry everything she wants without feeling that the bag is overstuffed.

Are the larger bags such as the ID, Zephyr, and Ego going to be either too big, too heavy, or too structured for her? And I'm assuming from what you wrote that she prefers shoulder bags to backpacks.

~Nancy

[Tlacltme]

I second bunchgrass's and ncb4's excellent advice. If your wife wants a slightly dressier look, the Swift- aubergine is an option here! I would throw out the Synapse as an option as well. It is available to preorder in plum/UV and it would handle your wife's load with ease and comfort. You can load the Synapse up or keep it only slightly full and it retains its shape well. In the end though, you can't go wrong with any TB item you choose

[teacherman]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful and insightful responses. I took them to heart and showed my wife the Swift. She owns an Imago, a MCB, and an Aeronaut--we're very much TB junkies and all our teacher friends are getting the bug too--and bags like the Zephyr and Ego are just not her style. TB bags are for the most part unisex, but she just about squealed like a teenage girl over the look and design of the Swift. It definitely caters to her likes of being more "girly" without being overly frilly. I plan on buying a dyneema Synapse because my Imago is also getting too heavy with my computer and papers--but I had my decision made up a while ago!
We'll be ordering soon. Hurry up, payday!

TM

[ncb4]

I echo your wife's "teenaged squeals" over the Swift; it's a great bag for so many reasons, and I love mine. I also love the smaller Little Swift design as a daily purse; just pre-ordered one in that delicious Aubergine color. Your wife is going to love the Swift; what color will she order? And I think you'll love our new Dyneema Synapse as well. Send us pictures when they arrive!

~Nancy

[bunchgrass]

The Swift is a good choice. I'm sure your wife is going to like hers. I know I like mine a lot. It holds a surprising amount of papers and books in addition to a computer. It also looks professional. I've had mine for three years and it's been used regularly and shows little wear.