EXCLUSIVES

BackOffice
Words by David Dudek
January 2004

I'm writing this review while waiting to get on an airplane. I'm sitting near my gate trying to figure out exactly what I want to write about the BackOffice laptop bag from Shaun Jackson Design. I've been using the bag every day for about a month now, and have found its spacious pockets are perfectly sized for all my AC adapters, digital camera, palm pilot and CoolPad travel unit.

Having recently walked through airport security, easy access to the computer is very much on my mind. If you want to carry a laptop onto the plane, you must remove it from your bag prior to before getting to the security checkpoint. The BackOffice excels at this. I can get to the computer quickly and easily by unzipping one side of the main compartment rectangle and sliding it out of the bag's side.

This bag had the best design of any previous laptop bag I've used. The laptop resides in a main zippered compartment which is flanked by two smaller (yet spacious) rectangular compartments. These smaller compartments fold over the outside main compartment and are held closed with a sturdy plastic buckle. The compartment currently on my left is large enough to hold a Canon PowerShot S200, my Yo-Yo power adapter or a mini-DV camera, as shown in the photo, and some other accessories. On the right, there is a spot for the all-important business cards, three pens, a Palm Pilot and another zippered compartment which spans all of those items and can hold still more.

When the bag is opened and unfolded, the main compartment rests on your lap while the two smaller compartments hang next to your legs, which makes laptop use possible, while sitting in a seat, without removing it from the bag. The machine sits on two rubber "feet" which are attached to the bag via a Velcro strip. The computer also rests on a very light grip surface made out of rubber so the bottom of the computer will not be damaged. The rubber feet elevate the computer high enough to allow it to cool down and remain at a livable operating temperature. My PowerBook G4/500 tends to get pretty hot during use, and I've found this bag keeps it cool enough.

When opened, the top of the zippered laptop compartment is held behind the screen via two three-inch double-reinforced straps, placed on the left and right sides. They don't obstruct the power or accessory cords. On the inside of the top flap is space for 12 CDs/DVDs (without jewel cases) - a great space-saving idea from the folks at Shaun Jackson Design. The outside of the top flap boasts a thin zippered pocket where I choose to keep my travel CoolPad, but would also be perfect for a thin folder or a paperback.

When the laptop compartment is zippered closed, and the side compartments are buckled together, the versatility of the BackOffice is apparent. There is a handle at the top of the bag as it is held lengthwise. The back of the bag is also made of the same rubber gripping surface as that the computer rests on, so it doesn't slip off of your lap while you're using it as a mini-desk and doesn't move or slide when worn on your back. There is a reason why it is called the BackOffice after all! The rear compartment behind the laptop has an additional pocket which unzips to uncover the very sturdy shoulder straps which clip onto the bottom of the bag. Those straps can also be conveniently hidden in their own pocket, so that the BackOffice still passes as an acceptable (and chic) business bag. The last pocket (and the one with the most room) is behind the laptop and is fully accessible when the laptop portion of the bag is closed and buckled. It is large enough to hold three good-sized magazines, or, in my case, a whole bunch of paper and folders.

This bag currently supports the 12- and 15-inch PowerBooks and iBooks but, as I write, SJ Design is in production of a larger version to hold the new 17-inch PowerBook.

Here's a list of its special features from SJ Design's website: It converts in seconds from a comfortable backpack to a rugged briefcase, opens in seconds to create a completely functional mobile work environment, and zippers at the rear of the computer compartment for cables to exit without tight bends. There is a large CD/DVD organizer panel located inside the top section of the computer compartment and six additional pockets for all of your other gear.

This wonderful bag is priced affordably and available at www.sjdesign.com. I found it to be very sturdy and ready to accept everything I threw at it. This bag is a must-have for anyone with a PowerBook who travels a lot or is looking for a tough bag that will fit most of their gadgets. I've absolutely loved using mine for the past month and have recommended it to many. When others look at it and ask what it is, I pull my laptop out and start working. I'm met with looks of simple amazement. www.sjdesign.com