• Mac Stuff

Targus Charcoal Messenger

A laptop is designed to be portable, but you’d be a fool to carry round your expensive laptop naked, and its a pain to have to carry an extra bag for your laptop. That’s where laptop bags come in, they fit your laptop snuggly, but at the same time offer plenty of extra space for your other essentials. Once such bag is the Targus Charcoal Messenger. The design of the bag is fairly simple, but still stylish enough so you feel normal walking around with it. The bag itself offers some customisability through different coloured straps, which allows the more fashion adventurous to go with the lime green, and the more business minded to go with a subtle grey or black. The inside of the bag offers plenty of room, with the main pocket featuring a heavily padded laptop slot, with wetsuit like material securing your laptop. The case is exceptionally sturdy, which can be slightly annoying while walking, but it is a fair trade off for the protection it offers.

Design:
As I mentioned earlier, the actual design of the case remains both simple and classy. The added feature of customisable shoulder straps allow it for multiple uses, which is a nice touch for those who need it for both business and personal use. The case has a large front flap that is secured by velcro, and when that is opened, you are greeted by three small front pockets (big enough for wallets, passports and of course iPhones) as well as a full length zipped pocket. On the flap itself there is a full length zipped pocket as well. The main pocket is secured by a reinforced fabric velcro flap, when this is opened, the pocket is separated into the laptop area (thickly padded and secured by a wetsuit like material) and the main pocket. It is easily big enough to fit two laptops in (I had a 15″ and 13″ in there, but I’ve no doubt it would take two 15 inchers. Overall, top marks for design.

Storage:
As discussed in the design section, there is certainly no shortage of space in the bag, but when it does start to get full, the bag does look very bulgy and becomes nearly impossible to comfortably walk with.

Build Quality:
Overall, the build quality of the bag is nearly flawless, top notch stitching that is both exceptionally strong and not to conspicuous and good quality materials make it a great bag, but I couldn’t help but be disappointed by the two metal looking latches on the side, that are in fact plastic. Although they are just really there for style, they would look a lot nicer if they were metal, and the plastic they are made of feels cheap and looks tacky.

Final Thoughts:
Overall, a great bag that is perfect for those on the move. Works well as both a business and personal product. Offers great protection and security, but is let down slightly by plasticky features.

Price: $110au RRP

Compatibility: Most laptops up to 15 inches

Available From: Most major retailers

Gallery:

Final Score: 9/10 – A great laptop bag for a reasonable price