Ogio Pagoda Laptop Bag (Medium)

We've been travelling with laptops for years?after all, they're meant to be portable. But a host of other devices have joined them: increasingly bigger smartphones, the so-called phablets, tablets, and ereaders. You can fit all that and more into the Pagoda laptop bag (medium) ($100, list) by Ogio.

The Pagoda is a messenger-style bag that comes in either a metallic-looking color the company calls "cereal," or black. Its nylon covering is smooth to the touch and feels durable. The front flap is bigger than the bag, so it arches in a way that lets you access the insides with a quick reach. A small top handle lets you carry the bag by hand if you prefer. Otherwise, the shoulder strap has reinforced connection points, and its strength is like that of a seatbelt. The bag's boxy design comes off as being "techy," which fits the purpose I suppose, although more fashion-oriented folks may dislike the look and limited color selection.

Measuring 12 by 20 by 6 inches (HWD), the medium-sized Pagoda can house up to a 15-inch laptop (a large and small version of this bag are also available). A zipper runs along the bottom to open a compartment for the laptop. It's designed to let you easily extract the computer (at airport security, for instance) but there isn't any extra padding along the bottom, making me worry about damaging a laptop while setting the bag down. Good thing there's a second slot for laptops, which is the one I opted to use. It's in the back and has more reassuring red padding, though it's just a little smaller. Other than those laptop sections, the front flap has a small-zippered pocket on the right, with a symbol resembling an iPod, suggesting the spot for a music player.

With the flap flipped back, the front features another zippered compartment that could comfortably fit a CD, and an organizer for small items like pens. There's also a secret wallet compartment that's hardly noticeable, though I trust my pockets more. Indeed, the Pagoda has specialized sections for just about anything you could think of, and the roomy main section will fit everything else.

This size can be a drawback, however. I prefer to carry my bag low at my side, which with the Pagoda meant it stuck out uncomfortably because it's so wide. The straps don't attach to the corners of the bag, but rather are a little closer to the center, making the Pagoda angle away from the body instead of clinging to it. ?I frequently bumped into people on a crowded subway train because of the awkward way that the bag hangs. Conversely, you could adjust the strap so the bag sits on your back, but I found it difficult to make it stay put. Any rigorous movement made it slide right back down. I couldn't figure out a way to make it stick, and neither could a few other people I asked. If it's possible, it's not at all intuitive.

Despite a few flaws, the Pagoda remains a perfectly viable messenger bag because of its comparatively low price, $100. It's not nearly as much as the fancy Vegetable from Within the Mountain laptop backpack by Crumpler ($145) and is a good alternative to the similarly priced Booq Mamba Daypack ($100) backpack-style bag. For someone who needs a number of devices neatly and safely organized, the Pagoda is a fine choice, particularly for technology enthusiasts.?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/6DDzmI_O68Q/0,2817,2420556,00.asp

marbury v. madison 2013 lincoln mkz burger king mary j blige google project glass google goggles one tree hill projectglass