Macbook Bag for Petite Person - STM Alley, Loft, or Other?

shellyfm

I just purchased a Macbook. I?m in desperate need for a case as the one I?m using now is old and falling apart. I like the small size of the Macbook. So, I don?t want a case that?s very big. However, it needs to hold my cables and such. I?ve been eyeing the STM Small Alley and STM Small Loft bags online. The Apple store near me doesn?t seem to carry these as I would ideally like to look at them before I decide. Since that doesn?t look like it?s going to happen, I figured I would turn to you all for advice.



The main issue other than needing a bag that not only provides protection for the Macbook as well as has some room for cords, etc is that I?m petite. I?m 5?1?, and often bags look very bulky on me.



For those that have either of these STM bags, in your opinion would either work for someone of my stature? In the past, messenger style bags have often looked bulky on me since they are long rather than wide, but I keep reading that these bags are small so I was thinking they may work.



What are the outside dimensions? I keep seeing the inside dimensions for the part the Macbook goes into but not the actual size of the bags overall.



For those of you that either are petite yourself or know someone who is, what bags for the Macbook have worked for you or them?



Other than appearance, what are the differences between the STM Alley and STM Loft bags? I e-mailed STM about this, but haven?t heard back yet.



Thanks in advance!



-Shelly

shellyfm

For those of you who may be interested, here is the reply from a rep at STM. I would still like feedback from you all concerning my other questions, though.



Thanks!



-Shelly



**************************************************



Hi Shelly,

Thanks for your reply.

I have attached 2 images showing the inside and outside of the loft and the alley side by side (please note that the alley in the picture is a larger alley as I had no small ones in stock to photograph.)

The outer dimensions in cm of the alley and the loft are listed below.

alley h 35 w 27 d 7.5

loft h 35 w 27 d 7.5



I hope that this information has been useful, please contact me again if you have any questions!



Thanks!

Mary





Sent: Thursday, 3 August 2006 9:56 AM

To: Mary Aberg

Subject: Re: STM bags



So they have the same pockets/compartments?



What are the outside dimensions of both?



Thanks!



-Shelly



On Aug 2, 2006, at 7:52 PM, Mary Aberg wrote:



Hi Shelly ,

Thank you for your enquiry!

The alley and the loft bags are actually identical the thing that differs is the materials used.

Please read on for a brief description of both bags.

Please contact me should you have any questions! Best of luck with your purchase!

Best regards,

Mary

small alley shoulder bag (13?)

You want a bag that protects your notebook, but doesn?t look like a laptop bag. You want something that has space for cables, documents, mobile etc, but doesn?t look bulky and cluttered. The answer to your problems? STM?s alley.

Alley is a multi- functional shoulder bag, sized to fit most laptops with 13? screens. It has a heavily padded laptop section, which can also be used for vinyl and game consoles (medium size). There is also a full sized file section for documents and books, and a pocket for cables and adaptors.

features

Fits most laptops with screens up to 13?

removable padded shoulder strap

contour rubber handle

made from 600D ripstop polyester

secure velcro closure system

pockets for mobile, documents and cables

dimensions (laptop space) 32.5 x 25 x 4cm / 12.8 x 9.8 x 1.6?

code dp-0515

colours -1 carbon

-2 olive

small loft shoulder bag (13?)

Picture it- the setting is 5pm, and you are a hip and funky graphic designer / doctor / lawyer/ student /? (circle applicable option), finishing up for the day. Some friends are meeting for drinks in a local bar, but you?ve got more work to get done and you?re taking the laptop home for the night.

This would normally pose a problem- you don?t really want to take your laptop to the bar because

a) that basic black briefcase looks terrible (and it certainly doesn?t go with your outfit!)

b) everyone knows you are carrying a laptop

Sleek, urban styling with ultimate laptop protection- that?s STM?s small loft. This is a shoulder bag that you can take to an office / bar / restaurant etc. without anyone knowing you are carrying a laptop and still maintain your sharp image. High density padding surrounds the laptop and there are plenty of pockets for everything else you need, all in a neat, stylish package.

Small loft fits most laptops with screens up to 13?. It has a vertical space for your laptop, a full sized pocket for folders and notes and a zippered pocket for cables and adaptors.

features

fits most laptops with screens up to 13?

full sized pocket for folders and notes

zippered back and front pockets for frequently needed items

removable padded shoulder strap

contour handle

made from 1200D textured polyester and PU

pockets for mobile, documents and cables

detachable phone pouch and key clip

dimensions (laptop space) 32.5 x 25 x 4cm / 12.8 x 9.8 x 1.6?

code dp-1379

colour -1 chocolate/orange





*Please note that all measurements given are accurate to the best of our ability, but we recommend trying your laptop inside the bag before purchasing.

All STM products are made from water resistant materials, but they are not water proof. Please exercise care when carrying your laptop in inclement weather.





Mary

STM Bags

p +61 2 8338 0222

f +61 2 8338 0911

w www.stmbags.com.au

e mary@stmbags.com.au



Copyright/ All text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, designs and concepts are the property of Standard Technical Merchandise Pty Ltd (STM).

All content is the exclusive property of STM and is protected by Australian and international copyright laws and is not to be used without written consent of STM.

k squared

I have a TimBuk2 Classic Messenger (small) paired with an Incase sleeve. The MB fits snugly with some extra room for a few slim notebooks. They can usually be found at biking stores or ERI.

shellyfm

Quote:

Originally Posted by k squared


I have a TimBuk2 Classic Messenger (small) paired with an Incase sleeve. The MB fits snugly with some extra room for a few slim notebooks. They can usually be found at biking stores or ERI.

I looked up this bag online. It looks nice. However, ideally I would like a solution that doesn't require both a bag and a sleeve.



Thanks.



-Shelly

acr4

I looked at a relatively large selection of bags and the ones I liked best for my 12" iBook were the ones sold at my local Apple Store. They are "InCase" branded. One style is simply a lined neoprene sleeve with a zipper that extends along one long end and far enough down each side to allow the computer to charge, which I find quite nice. They also carried a very compact bag of similar size with a few small internal sleeves for media and an iPod, as well as handles that collapsed into the bag, a removable shoulder strap, and external compartments large enough for the power supply and network/USB/Firewire cables. I actually really liked this case, but opted for the cheaper one because I always carry my computer in my backpack anyway.



Definitely check it out, at least as a starting point. Also don't forget to check sporting goods chains (especially REI). They now carry plenty of laptop-sleeve equiped backpacks, brief-bags, laptop bags, and other suitable bags, although they might not meet your fashion requirements. Again, it's a great place to see many different styles to find out what works best. Good luck.

voxapps

If price isn't a major concern, check out WaterField Designs. They have quite a variety of bags that you can customize extensively, and their customer testimonials are impressive. (I don't own one of their bags.)

shellyfm

Quote:

Originally Posted by acr4


I looked at a relatively large selection of bags and the ones I liked best for my 12" iBook were the ones sold at my local Apple Store. They are "InCase" branded. One style is simply a lined neoprene sleeve with a zipper that extends along one long end and far enough down each side to allow the computer to charge, which I find quite nice. They also carried a very compact bag of similar size with a few small internal sleeves for media and an iPod, as well as handles that collapsed into the bag, a removable shoulder strap, and external compartments large enough for the power supply and network/USB/Firewire cables. I actually really liked this case, but opted for the cheaper one because I always carry my computer in my backpack anyway.



Definitely check it out, at least as a starting point. Also don't forget to check sporting goods chains (especially REI). They now carry plenty of laptop-sleeve equiped backpacks, brief-bags, laptop bags, and other suitable bags, although they might not meet your fashion requirements. Again, it's a great place to see many different styles to find out what works best. Good luck.

I liked the one at the Apple store from Incase that had the pockets. However, I needed just a tad bit more room for a few extra cables to make it ideal for me. When I travel, I take with me the cables for the MacBook, iPod, and cell phone plus a few CDs and maybe a folder or notepad.



I've never heard of the sporting goods chain called "REI" as you mentioned. I'll try to look into it, though.



Thanks!



-Shelly

shellyfm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voxapps


If price isn't a major concern, check out WaterField Designs. They have quite a variety of bags that you can customize extensively, and their customer testimonials are impressive. (I don't own one of their bags.)

Those bags look really nice! They are quite expensive, though. It would make me really nervous spending that much money without being able to see the bag first to make sure it would work for me.