Top 15: Best Backpacks for 17-Inch Laptops Finding a way to carry your 17-inch notebook isn't a decision to be taken lightly, pun intended. Spreading the weight across your shoulders rather than one arm, thanks to a high-quality backpack, is one of the most convenient ways to move a desktop replacement system. In this roundup, we'll show you 15 of our favorites, ranging in price from about $40 to $300. Photo 3 of 15 Targus 17-Inch Drifter Plus With TSA Backpack The $89.99 Targus 17-inch Drifter Plus is built to TSA specs so you can leave everything in your bag at airport security checkpoints. This backpack has plenty of storage thanks to four zippered compartments including a padded one for your laptop plus nooks for pens, pencils, and business cards. The exterior has a mesh water bottle pocket, soft-lined sunglasses holder, and padded shoulder straps with aeration. Backed by a lifetime limited warranty, the Drifter Plus weighs only 2.9 pounds. Eight Stylish Laptop Bags and Backpacks

The Best Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bags Guide: 15 Best Wheeled Laptop Bags Best Budget Thin-and-Light Laptop: Gateway ID49C07u How to Buy a Laptop: Ultraportable Laptops New (10) from $57.72 Fast, FREE Shipping with Amazon Prime SwissGear Backpack Laptop Travel Backpack ScanSmart (Black/Grey, Model SA1753)luffy backpackDetailsSwissGear Travel Gear ScanSmart Backpack 1900- eBags Exclusive75l backpack size SwissGear's 1753 Scansmart Laptop Backpack is a versatile laptop backpack made for convenience and functionality, and loaded with features. orvis backpack fly fishingStarting with ScanSmart technology, this travel backpack comes with an airport friendly laptop-only computer compartment, allowing you to fit all 15 inch laptops and fit most laptops up to 17 inches when passing through security. pottery barn backpack reviews

At the TSA checkpoint, simply unfold this travel backpack to a flat position and place the bag onto the X-ray belt. It’s as easy as that. The main pocket of this travel backpack provides protected packing for multiple binders and other accessories. This travel backpack is equipped with adjustable side compression straps, side water bottle pockets and zippered accessory pockets, a full featured organizer compartment, and a heavily padded back panel with airflow ventilation technology. nike sb backpack ebayThere is even an elastic tab on the shoulder strap that keeps sunglasses secure and conveniently accessible. backpack cisco liveProduct Features Padded, Airflow back panel with mesh fabric for superior back ventilation and support Organizer compartment with removable key fob and multiple divider pockets for pens, mobile phone, ID card and memory stick Adjustable compression straps to help secure bag contents Side water bottle pockets Side zippered accessory pockets Quick-access, front zippered pocket for frequently needed items Reflective accent material built into shoulder straps and front panel for added safety Padded media pocket with built-in headphone cord port Reinforced

, molded top handle Front carabineer Technical Specifications Model No: 1753 Color: Black/Grey Weight: 2.8 lbs Backpack Dimensions (Expanded): 18.5 x 13 x 7.5 in (47 x 33 x 19 cm)Shipping Dimensions: 20 x 14 x 2.8 in (51 x 35.5 x 7 cm)Material: Durable 900D Polyester Type: Travel Backpack / Laptop Backpack 7.5 x 18.5 x 12.5 inches ; Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,032 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors) in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry > Luggage & Travel Gear > Backpacks in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry > Men > Shops in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry > Women > Shops Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here 5 star70%4 star15%3 star5%2 star4%1 star6%See all verified purchase reviewsTop Customer ReviewsPOORLY MADE AND HORRID CUSTOMER SERVICE|| Great for about 7 months, then not so much| it makes the other pockets pretty snug.

You can squeeze in MAYBE one change ...||The actual backpack seems like it has more slots and areas for stuff in ...||Works w/ TSA and Very Durable||Fits 17 inch laptop just fine||Great for a 17 inch macbook|| See all customer images Most Recent Customer ReviewsSearch Customer Reviews See and discover other items: backpack laptop compartment, laptop under 200 dollars, personal item bag, designed backpacks, mens thumb ring, best travel backpacksSince 2008, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) started allowing certain laptop bags to go through X-ray screening, without having to remove them from the bag. The idea is to help speed up the screening process, since regulation requires all laptops to be removed from bags and placed into a bin – a process that not only confuses many passengers, but also leads to lost laptops. (This doesn’t apply to those in the TSA Precheck program, which doesn’t require them to remove their laptops.)To help combat these issues, the TSA for “checkpoint friendly” bags, which are designed to allow screeners to easily and clearly see the laptop and what’s inside it.

They can be in a butterfly style (a bag folds open into two parts) or trifold style (three parts), or a laptop sleeve; whatever the style, it must be able to lie completely flat.What resulted was a deluge of checkpoint-friendly bags. And like most computer bags, the problem is that most of them are more utilitarian than stylish. They tend to be black, boxy, boring, and in a sea of similar-looking bags, they won’t win you any points for style or personality. If you want a checkpoint-friendly bag that will help you quickly get through security, but that you won’t be embarrassed about carrying around, we’ve found nine products that are well made, smart, and trendy. And since they all look great, you can use them for anytime of the day, even when you aren’t flying.A caveat: Despite the TSA approving these bags, it doesn’t endorse any brand nor is it obligated to acknowledge them during security checks. To be frank, it’s really up to the TSA agents who are working on your day of travel.

From our experience, we’ve had agents tell us to keep our laptops in our sleeves, but on other occasions, the agents made everyone remove their laptops, regardless of the bag and the signs indicating the use of TSA-approved bags. Incase EO Travel Backpack ($120+) Incase’s EO Travel Backpack offers plenty of storage space within a compact, multi-purpose design. There’s enough room to fit a 17-inch laptop as well as an iPad, and the portion devoted to computer storage opens flat to help bypass airport security. As an added bonus, the main compartment expands 35 percent, making this backpack ideal for overnight business trips. This allows you to maximize extra space when needed, or maintain a slimmer bag when minimal storage space will do. Padded shoulder straps, breathable mesh paneling, and an adjustable sternum strap are all ergonomic bonuses. A side-mounted handle also allows the backpack to be carried as a briefcase. The only real complaint would be the aesthetic of the bag when used as a briefcase.

If the straps could be concealed, or easily removed, it would look more like a briefcase rather than a backpack with a side-mounted handle. Nonetheless, the overall product is still practical and the clean, with an angular design that will definitely stand out in the crowd. Buy one now from: Timbuk2 Uptown Laptop TSA-Friendly Backpack ($67+) The Uptown Laptop TSA-Friendly is — you guessed it — ideal for bypassing the TSA process. The overall design meets all TSA requirements for sending your backpack and laptop through without removing your device(s), and the main computer compartment can fit laptops up to 15 inches in size. There’s also a dedicated pocket for stowing your iPad or Android tablet, along with a series of tricot-lined pockets designed to protect delicate items such as sunglasses and smartphones. The elastic side pouch is perfect for storing an array of items, both large and small, and the body includes a vista loop for a bike light. A channeled, mesh panel on the back and an adjustable front strap also help ensure a comfortable fit.

Timbuk2 Commute laptop messenger bag ($50+) The trademark bike messenger bag – a favorite with both delivery guys and gals, as well as Web startup employees – gets an update for today’s frequent fliers. The Commute is made with the same materials Timbuk2 users are familiar with – soft lining to protect gadgets, while the environmentally friendly, waterproof flap keeps crap out. The laptop compartment opens all the way so that it lies flat, meeting TSA requirements. Available in various sizes and colors, the largest version has enough room for a quick trip. Tumi Alpha 2 T-Pass expandable laptop Brief ($300+) or Tumi Alpha 2 T-Pass laptop Brief Pack ($439) Understated elegance for the business traveler, the Tumi Alpha 2 opens and folds flat for passing through checkpoint scanners. A separate compartment has dividers to keep your files organized, with room for an iPad or other accessories. Inside, there’s a zip pocket with what Tumi calls Tumi ID Lock; it’s made with special material that blocks RFID signals, keeping things like credit cards and passports secure from wireless identity theft (although actual risk is debatable).

A pass-through on the back lets you slip the briefcase onto a rolling luggage’s handle bar. The Alpha 2 is made with Tumi’s FXT ballistic nylon that’s tough yet soft. A backpack version is also available. Tumi Alpha 2 T-Pass expandable laptop Brief Tumi Alpha 2 T-Pass laptop Brief Pack Manhattan Portage Harbor backpack ($224) With its big capacity, the Harbor Backpack from Manhattan Portage does double-duty as a carry-on for a weekend trip. Inside is a removable sleeve that accommodates a 15-inch laptop. Unlike the other bags listed, you will have to pull the sleeve out of the bag before sending it through a scanner; however, the large mouth opening makes it easy to quickly stash it back in. The entire bag is made with a plastic membrane that’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about your clothes or electronics getting wet. Also ideal for bicycle commuters (Manhattan Portage, like Timbuk2, has its roots in making bike messenger bags), the bag is part of the company’s high-style Black Label line.

Mobile Edge Alienware Vindicator Briefcase 18″ ($55) With the same design cues and iconic logo as the gaming laptops and desktops, this Alienware Vindicator can accommodate Alienware’s 18-inch laptop (thankfully, other sizes are also available). Made by Mobile Edge, the bag has a checkpoint-friendly compartment, while another has enough room for all your gaming accessories and other gear. Perfect for that traveler heading to E3, PAX, Comic-Con, or any gaming convention. Mobile Edge also makes a bunch of checkpoint-friendly bags (it calls them ScanFast) for different users, not just gamers. Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase ($80) and Cache protective sleeve ($30) To keep the Daylight Briefcase compact while checkpoint friendly, Tom Bihn created an attachment system that lets you easily pull out the laptop sleeve when needed (you can remove the sleeve completely for when you’re not flying). It not only meets TSA regulations, but it minimizes the risk of forgetting the laptop in a bin (trust us, we’ve been there).

The stylish urban bag is made in the United States, using lightweight but strong materials, and inside there are plenty of what Tom Bihn calls O-rings, which lets you clip on a variety of pouches, straps, etc. Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase Tom Bihn Cache protective sleeve Booq expandable Taipan superslim for MacBook Pro ($80) Since the TSA doesn’t require you to remove a laptop if it’s in a sleeve, you can use the Taipan Superslim 15, provided it’s just a laptop that’s inside. But the bag has a clever trick: For all other times, the bottom of the case can expand to accommodate additional items. We’re fans of Booq’s camera bags for their quality and design, and the Taipan Superslim 15 has a similar build, like water-resistant, lightweight 1680D triple-weaved polyester. Like Booq’s camera bags, the laptop case has the Terralinq ID, a unique serial number that could help you recover a bag. Eagle Creek Straight Up Business Brief RFID ($112) If you can’t decide between a messenger bag, backpack, or handheld briefcase, why not have all three?