Case Logic 16″ Full-Size Security Friendly Laptop Case CLCS-116
Company: Case Logic
Price: $99.00
http://www.caselogic.com/
Ever since I purchased my MacBook in January 2008, it has been my constant companion whenever and wherever I travel. I’ve never felt comfortable using some hotel’s lobby computer that’s available for every guest to use. The only thing that has caused me some grief at times is going through airport security because every now and then I have encountered differences amongst the security personnel in how they want things done. On one trip, I was told by one security person on the other side of the X-ray line to take my laptop out of the bag and place the bag in the plastic bin and then place the laptop on top of the bag. I did and you should have heard the guy watching the screen when my bin went through the machine; you would have thought I was trying to smuggle something through the checkpoint. Even when the other passengers on either side of me backed me up and told him that I was just following the directions given by one of his team, I could see that this trip was not off to a good start. Trust me, I never made that mistake again!
When the chance came to review a security-friendly laptop case by Case Logic, I jumped at the opportunity. For those of you who may not be familiar with the security-friendly/checkpoint friendly laptop process, in August 2008, the TSA changed the regulations and began to permit certain types of laptop bags to go through the X-ray machines without the owner having to remove the laptop from the bag. There are primarily three styles of bag that have been authorized: butterfly style, trifold style and sleeve style. The TSA further spells out the requirements for these bags-
• The laptop bag has a designated laptop-only section that can lay flat on the X-ray belt
• There are no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section
• There are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
• There is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop
• The bag is completely unfolded so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt
Even with all of this, you may still be asked to take the laptop out of the bag if the machine operator decides that he or she can’t clearly see the laptop alone in the bag.
Case Logic is one of several companies that have produced bags that are tagged as “security-friendly” and that are specifically designed to comply with the TSA regulations. Case Logic’s CLCS-116 laptop bag, made of nylon and leather, is designed to hold laptops up to 16 inches comfortably in a section of the bag that is specifically designed for just the laptop and nothing else. The other side of the case stores your files, folders, pens and laptop accessories quite neatly and securely. You can store files, paperwork. folders or magazines on the interior facing section of the non-laptop side and the remainder of your items can be stored on the exterior compartments of the section. The one major feature that I really enjoyed is the adjustable shoulder strap that when your laptop is through the X-ray machine, you just simply pick the case up by the strap and the two sections come together, permitting you to walk away from the line with the laptop secured in the case while you put your shoes and other items back where they belong on your person.
As you can see by the pictures below, the case is stylish, well-designed and protects your laptop quite well due to its padding and layout. On the laptop side of the bag, there are no zippers or other items that would lay against the laptop; the zippers are on the edge of the bag so that they won’t interfere with the assessment of what is in the compartment. The non-laptop section has three separate zippered compartments that you can place just about anything you need to carry with you in and feel secure that they are protected and yet still readily available. You’ll find storage for your mouse, power supply, AC power cord, a clip for keys, slots for pens, business cards, thumb drives, you name it and you can probably fit it in there. On the exterior of the laptop side of the case there is even a nylon handle in place so that the bag can be placed over the extendible handle of your suitcase so that you can wheel everything at once through the airport.
I had to make a quick out of town trip and I thankfully encountered no problems when I checked in. Placed the bag down, with the two sections lying flat, and then just picked the bag up by the shoulder strap and I was on my way. Now the only thing I might have considered adding to the bag, in terms of security, is that when I’m in a hotel and I’m running out to dinner or wherever, I like to be able to secure the contents of the laptop bag with a small travel lock. This would not stop someone from taking the entire bag, but it would stop anyone from rifling through the bag while I was out of the room. The bag does not have that capability. As I said, a small thing, but then it’s just my way of thinking.
I have used this bag going to and from work, traveling over to a friend’s house with my MacBook inside, and when I’m on the go out of the area. I’ve really enjoyed the functionality of the case, the process that went into designing the bag to meet security requirements and the ease of use.
Dimensions: 17″ x 13″ x 6″ Will fit laptops: 16″ x 11.75″ x 1.6″
Weight: 3 lbs, 4 oz
So to review:
Pro: Well-designed, durable and functional laptop case that offers protection and does so with security concerns in mind. Provides storage space for the necessary laptop accessories and much more. The case comes with a 25-year warranty!
Cons: Nothing major to prevent anyone from utilizing this case to its fullest.
Highly recommended!
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