The ‘Book Mystique Review - Waterfield RacerX Computer Bag For 17” MacBook Pro and PowerBook
by Charles W. Moore
An associated issue with switching to a different - sized ‘Book is that the new machine may not fit in your old computer bag or backpack. That’s one of the reasons why San Francisco Design’s Waterfield Cargo and Cosmo laptop bags make a lot of sense, designed as they are to be used in conjunction with the Waterfield SleeveCase fitted to your particular computer model as a modular internal unit.
Ergo, if you already have a medium or large size Waterfield Cargo or Cosmo bag and you move from, say, an iBook or 15-inch PowerBook to a 17-inch MacBook Pro, all you need to do is purchase a relatively inexpensive and appropriate sized Waterfield SleeveCase for the 17-incher, and you’re all set.
Waterfield bags are relatively high priced, but very high quality, and can easily last year through several computers, so this modular motif makes good economic sense.
I really like the Waterfield Cargo and Cozmo, and when you want to pack a lot of stuff around with your laptop in style, they’re tough to beat, but over the past couple of years I’ve been inclined to use a handy little STM Loop backpack that just fits my 12” iBook mostly for day-tripping, and I wanted something sleeker and less bulky than the Cargo or Cosmo bags that would accommodate the 17” AlBook. Happily, Waterfield has just the solution for that too, in the form of their RacerX laptop bag.
Unlike the bigger Waterfield bags, the RacerX is a single module design that has its own integrated computer compartment, armored with a high-impact flexible plastic layer, padded with high-density foam, and lined with the same soft plush “wet suit” type material used in Waterfield’s SleeveCases. The RacerX comes in three sizes, the largest of which fits my 17-inch PowerBook snugly, and will also accommodate (just - with a tenth of an inch to spare) the slightly deeper 17-inch MacBook Pro.
The case’s outer computer compartment has its own dedicated zipper-opening, and a padded, lined “lip” beneath that protects laptop on its fourth side from bumps and from contacting the zipper. Despite the snug fit, the compartments soft lining allows the PowerBook to slide in and out smoothly and easily.
The RacerX case’s front compartment is outfitted in typical Waterfield style, lined with their signature “Gold Diamond” honeycomb-color nylon fabric material, which looks great, and also makes a items easier to see in the depths of the case. There are also five elasticized pockets sewn to the inner face of the compartment. One on the latter is perfectly sized to accommodate an iPod, another similarly accommodates CD jewel cases, and all have handy nylon loop pull tabs, and two net pockets sewn on the compartment’s outer face.
The main cavity of the compartment can hold papers, portfolios, and other large, relatively thin items, and is even big enough to handle a second computer if required in a pinch.
The bag’s front, outer panel is padded with somewhat lighter and more flexible, but still robust armor material, allowing it to bulge outwards somewhat when stuffed with gear thicker than the compartment’s normal width of a little more than an inch. Like the computer compartment, the front section has a double zipper closure with classy and practical nylon loops and plastic pull-tabs.
There is also an open pocket the full width of the RacerX case on the back, with a zipper opening at the bottom that converts the pocket into a sleeve than can slip over the handle of an airline luggage wheelie case. Clever, thoughtful, and practical, and a feature that will be appreciated by frequent fliers.
The RacerX’s adjustable 1 1/4 inch wide shoulder strapped with wider comfort-pad faced with soft, Neoprene “traction” material attaches to the case with high-quality, matte black, quick-release, swivel carabiner snaps and matching high-strength alloy D-rings, anchored with sewn-in nylon loops. The D-ring attachment points are staggered to the center and back of the case respectively, which allows the bag to hang from your shoulder at a more natural and comfortable angle.
The RacerX also may be carried briefcase style, thanks to one of the case’s more whimsical West Coast features - a Wilderness Trail Bikes mountain bike handgrip of rigid but soft-textured plastic which retains its shape and won’t pinch or cut into your hand no matter how heavily the case is loaded.
As for appearance, the RacerX is styled with Waterfield’s customary understated elegance. The outer shell of the RacerX is of tough ballistic nylon fabric, offered in your choice of three-color-themed accent panels on the left front of the case - blue, grey, or Waterfield’s yellow Taxi check, which was what our test unit came in.
As usual and expected, the materials quality and workmanship are superb.
Despite its relatively compact dimensions, I can get nearly as much stuff inside Waterfield RacerX as I can with the STM Loop small backpack I use for my 12” iBook. It hits the sweet spot between easy, comfortable handling and voluminous commodiousness, and a briefcase-style bag is a lot more graceful and professional-looking in certain circumstances than a backpack.
Racer-X is available in three sizes:
17” Powerbook Racer-X $139 / 16.5” x 11.5” x 4.5” / 3.1 lb.
fits laptops up to 15.5” x 10.5” x 1.0”
15” Powerbook Racer-X $134 / 14.5” x 11” x 4.5” / 2.8 lb.
fits laptops up to 14.1” x 9.5” x 1.1”
12” Powerbook Racer-X $129 / 12.5” x 9.5” x 4.5” / 2.4 lb
fits laptops up to 10.9” x 8.6” x 1.2”
For more information, visit:
http://www.sfbags.com/products/racerx/racerx.htm
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