Pakuma Akara K1
The thing that bugs me most about laptop bags is that they're obviously so. Look at me, I'm carrying something really expensive and easy to sell on after you've nicked it! The persistent feeling that someone's going to brain you and steal your gear kind of sucks. Secondly, most laptop bags I've tried are fairly uncomfortable on my shoulder, adding to the general feeling of rubbishness.Sure, I can throw the laptop in a rucksack but then it's rattling around in there unprotected with all of my other crap. The solution? A rucksack (looks nothing like a laptop back) that's comfortable to wear with laptop inside, that also protects the expensive bit of kit being transported.
Pakuma have answered the prayers of jaded laptop carriers everywhere recently, with a dual range of rucksack and messenger bags that incorporate padded internal pouches for laptops. The rucksack model is called the Akara K1 and I picked one up recently in London. It's £64.99 at Scan in the green and brown trim that I have, the K1 taking up to a 15.4 inch notebook (and 17 inch Apple PowerBooks, too). There's the K2 for the same size laptop, but it looks a bit different with different pocket configuration, with the K3 looking like a K1 just bigger, holding a 17 inch laptop without issue.
Looks like a regular rucksack to me, rather than something holding a laptop. You can see the main internal space open with the two pouches on the front zipped up. It's made from hard wearing synthetics using YKK zippers and Duraflex locking buckles. I've had no trouble with either in the months that I've had the Akara K1 with my only grumble being the zippers are hidden too well by the flap overhang, giving cold fingers something to battle with in the chill of Scotland as I attempt to set the V6-V free.
Inside the main compartment you can see what Pakuma call the 'Cocoon', which is the main pouch for holding your laptop.
You can see the padding internal to the Cocoon and the two Velcro pieces that retain the lid and the V6-V sits snug in there, well protected from knocks and bangs.
Ah, the best bit for me. The padded shoulder straps and padded vertical ribs on the rear of the main bag section mean it's blissful to carry around the V6-V, its charger and all the other peripheral things I need to take with me when I'm working (memory sticks, blank DVDs, notepad and good old fashioned pen, PSP, PSP charger or spare battery, etc). The weight, instead of being focussed on your shoulder, is spread out around your back, too. It makes a 2.5 kilo laptop and all the other bits and bobs you might carry around easy as you like. It's super comfortable, especially on a fat frame like mine, so I'm a happy laptop carrier with the Akara.
The bag comes with extras like a CD wallet (a bit mediocre to tell the truth), webbed sections on the side for bottles or similar and the Duraflex buckles let you retain the bag round your waist and keep the main section shut even if the zipper is ajar. It's also fairly waterproof, although not entirely so.
One of the best bits of kit I've picked up in the last year or so and a fine compliment to the various laptops I find myself using for work. And the maximum laptop size of 15.4 inches means I don't have to suffer a 17 inch or more DTR. Yay for not having the K3!
For this mini trip to Scotland I've had the V6-V and charger, PSP and charger, and two days worth of clothes in the K1. While it's a squeeze, it's all in there and it's really comfy to haul around. No need for another bag for clothes, overnight bag and whatnot is a big win.
If you have a laptop, buy one.
