Slappa Bally-Hide Laptop Shoulder Bag Review

The Slappa Bally-Hide Laptop Shoulder Bag is essentially a combination of a ladies purse and a laptop bag. Although this bag is designed for a woman it could potentially be used by a man as the design isn�t overly feminine. Highlights of the bag include a padded laptop compartment with a Velcro closure, leather accents, a shoulder strap and nine pockets.

Slappa Bally-Hide Laptop Shoulder Bag Specifications:
* Made of 1680D ballistix nylon and leather
* Fits notebooks up to 16�
* Micron plating on all buckles and zipper clasps
* Padded inside
* Includes shoulder strap, carrying handle, and a large drawstring bag
* Nine pockets for accessories, writing utensils, electronic devices, etc.
* MSRP: $129.99 with 1-year warranty

Design
The bag includes a shoulder strap and carry handle, nine pockets, pencil placeholders, and a padded main notebook compartment. It is made of nylon and has leather accents. The bag includes a 1-year extended warranty. It comes in your choice of green and brown or orange and brown.

On that note, let's pause and consider the female audience. In my opinion the overall design isn�t particularly fashionable simply because of the color choices: military green and chocolate brown or burnt orange and chocolate brown aren't exactly as fashion friendly as classic black. Desite the odd color choices, the bag does have a professional look and feel to it; which is suitable if that�s what you�re going for. And, the leather accents add a distinct bit of elegance to the bag.

In Use
I stuffed my bag fully with an assortment of things to test the comfort level of the shoulder strap. I had no trouble zipping the bag even after it was fully packed. To be specific, my bag carried:
* Dell Latitude E6410, 14.1� notebook
* Two middle-sized textbooks
* Large leather-bound folder
* 400-page book
* Laptop power supply
* Plaque
* Miscellaneous electronic devices and toiletries

In addition to these items, this bag also has enough interior space to carry a number of things from your purse, eliminating the awkwardness of carrying both a purse and a laptop bag. The number of small pockets adds to this assertion nicely. There is also a key ring attached to the inside so you won't lose your car keys inside the large laptop compartment.

The layers of padding around the notebook compartment will greatly help ease the minds of those who avidly seek extra protection for their notebooks while traveling. There is also a Velcro buckle to go over the notebook after it�s placed inside.

There are three small, shallow pockets adjacent to the notebook compartment on the inside; which is nice for small devices such as cell phone chargers, cords and cables, etc. Right next to these pockets there are two pencil/pen holders.

The micron plating on the buckles and zipper clasps will prevent fading and wearing; a very nice feature that greatly aids to the quality and longevity of the bag.

The comfort level of the shoulder strap with a fully-stuffed bag was mediocre. Meaning that if you carry this bag while fully-packed for extended periods of time (10 minutes or longer), it will most likely begin to wear on your shoulder. Of course, if you don�t pack it fully, it will improve; but the main reason for the mediocre comfort level has a lot to do with the absence of extra padding on the strap where the strap rests on the shoulder. On a brighter note, there is a metal buckle to adjust the length of the strap; a nice addition to the options at hand.

Conclusion
As a normal laptop messenger bag the Slappa Bally-Hide Laptop Shoulder Bag is a perfectly adequate solution to your notebook carrying needs. If not for the uncomfortable and unpadded shoulder strap I might even give this bag high marks. Unfortunately, as a ladies bag the color choice borders on hideous ... unless your goal is to look like a World War II Army combat nurse.

For the price of $129.99 (currently $116.99 during Slappa's holiday sale) you get a well-made messenger-style bag with lots of room for your laptop and accessories and even enough room for your purse items. The leather accents and metal hardware also add to the sense of durability and class. If you can get past the color choice and don't mind an uncomfortable shoulder strap this this is a pretty good deal.

Pros:
* Extra padding for the notebook compartment
* Professional design with leather accents
* Extra room after laptop is placed inside
* Nine pockets of various sizes

Cons:
* Only fits notebooks up to 16� (made mostly for business notebooks)
* No extra padding on the shoulder strap
* Limited to two color choices (burnt orange or military green)

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