School bag for BYOD

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xpd

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#243956 11-Jan-2019 09:40

Looking for a backpack for my daughter to use as a school bag - ideally want something that has a protective section for a tablet. Ive looked at the Everaki range at CDL, but they dont seem to allow for things such as lunchboxes, and aimed more at the office worker with a laptop, tablet and some folders.

Dont mind paying a few $$ over the usual for a decent school bag, long as its going to last a while and offer the protection.

Anyone got any suggestions ?

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sidefx

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#2157951 11-Jan-2019 09:52

I got a padded water resistant tablet sleeve to go inside the schoolbag for mine. Was quite a while ago so I forget where I got them - they're like a padded neoprene sleeve that seems somewhat water-resistant. Just a thought :)

TBH both times my kids managed to damage their tablets they were "in use" so I'm not sure I'd spend too much on a bag as they've not been damaged in their bags yet.

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jonathan18

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#2157968 11-Jan-2019 10:06

We bought my son a school bag from Kathmandu which has the compartment in the back, and it's excellent - a solidly-made bag that's still in excellent condition a couple of years later. Not all their bags are so well-made, though. He's 11, so it's not a huge pack.

If it's for an older kid (and it's recommended to ensure the backpack is suitable for the age/size), I'd certainly recommend the Macpac pack I use daily - it's canvas (as I think my son's is), so it's not as light (and isn't cheap) but is strong and will last. It's got the compartment in the back - I use it daily for my iPad, but on holiday it's large enough to take a large number of devices (had three iPads and a laptop in it). I'll take a look on their site and see if I can find the one I bought.

Edit: my son will also be having to take a Chromebook to school this year instead of an iPad; I've bought him a neoprene sleeve for the laptop, and expect him to use that even when in the backpack - at least it'll have some protection if it's being taken around independent of the school bag.

timmmay

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#2157969 11-Jan-2019 10:06

I looked at backpacks recently. I had a look at my notes.

Look at Timbuk2 Division, Parkside, Q. Parkside may only be on Amazon.com, can't remember. Everki Contempro. Matein on Amazon.com. STM Haven and LAPacker 15.6 business.

fizzychicken

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#2158028 11-Jan-2019 11:26

I have this

herschel pop quiz

it is fantastic and has an padded felt lined internal compartment for tablets/laptops

got it after watching this

though in there he says it has a compartment for a phone, its actually for glasses (thats what I use it for) but I could see how you could use it for a phone too.

https://keybase.io/fizzychicken

tehgerbil

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#2158144 11-Jan-2019 13:34

I would pop into an outdoor store like Bivouac NZ. Most of those are designed for travelling, lightweight and high quality components.

I picked up an Eagle Creek backpack 8 years ago, was expendy as heck but it's still going strong - hasn't missed a beat and has protected my laptop multiple times.

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#2158305 11-Jan-2019 14:41

Out kids have Jansport bags, they are a bit expensive but have a lifetime warranty, literally for any failure they will repair or replace. Newest one has a padded bit for byod Chromebook.

Handsomedan

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#2160907 14-Jan-2019 13:19

I use a fantastic Targus backpack and have actually just ordered two for my boys.

Normally over $100 each but at JB HiFi at the moment they're $49.50 a pop.

Lots of padding, separate laptop and tablet sleeves, loads of pockets and super comfortable for everyday use (I Use mine daily).

Best of all, they have a lifetime warranty.

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers-tablets/accessories/targus/targus-legend-iq-16-backpack/29699/

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mdf

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#2160929 14-Jan-2019 13:37

jonathan18:

We bought my son a school bag from Kathmandu which has the compartment in the back, and it's excellent - a solidly-made bag that's still in excellent condition a couple of years later. Not all their bags are so well-made, though. He's 11, so it's not a huge pack.

If it's for an older kid (and it's recommended to ensure the backpack is suitable for the age/size), I'd certainly recommend the Macpac pack I use daily - it's canvas (as I think my son's is), so it's not as light (and isn't cheap) but is strong and will last. It's got the compartment in the back - I use it daily for my iPad, but on holiday it's large enough to take a large number of devices (had three iPads and a laptop in it). I'll take a look on their site and see if I can find the one I bought.

Edit: my son will also be having to take a Chromebook to school this year instead of an iPad; I've bought him a neoprene sleeve for the laptop, and expect him to use that even when in the backpack - at least it'll have some protection if it's being taken around independent of the school bag.

We do this too. Kathmandu bag (which seems acceptable to the pre-teen arbiters of what is fashionable) plus a hard shell case for the Chromebook (try ebay for these). One still managed to drop and break hers last year though... We have ongoing discussions about treating electronics with more respect.

jonathan18

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#2160946 14-Jan-2019 13:59

mdf:

We do this too. Kathmandu bag (which seems acceptable to the pre-teen arbiters of what is fashionable) plus a hard shell case for the Chromebook (try ebay for these). One still managed to drop and break hers last year though... We have ongoing discussions about treating electronics with more respect.

Sorry if off-topic; @mdf: are these hard shell cases for specific models of Chromebooks, or are they generic ones for a typical x-sized laptop? I hadn't thought of a hard case, but would be interested in looking at the options; if they are generic, any chance of posting a link of the product? Thanks...

mdf

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#2160953 14-Jan-2019 14:11

jonathan18:
mdf:

We do this too. Kathmandu bag (which seems acceptable to the pre-teen arbiters of what is fashionable) plus a hard shell case for the Chromebook (try ebay for these). One still managed to drop and break hers last year though... We have ongoing discussions about treating electronics with more respect.

Sorry if off-topic; @mdf: are these hard shell cases for specific models of Chromebooks, or are they generic ones for a typical x-sized laptop? I hadn't thought of a hard case, but would be interested in looking at the options; if they are generic, any chance of posting a link of the product? Thanks...

Specific to the model with the necessary cut-outs. But there seem to be a lot to choose from. I used this seller:

https://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?isRefine=true&sid=mac-accessories-usa

gzt

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#2160955 14-Jan-2019 14:15

Xiomi mt wellington have one or two styles. Small tho.