‘Book Mystique Review - Pacific Design Action II Backpack X
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
by Charles W. Moore
Pacific Design’s Action II Backpack X at $49.95 has to be one of the best values for the money in computer luggage, but don’t let the low price and free shipping fool you. This is a cleverly designed, stylish, and sturdily-constructed bag that will do a fine job of transporting and protecting your ‘Book, and look great doing it.
A sassy new player in the computer and iPod case market, Pacific Design of Austin, Texas is a woman-owned company, and their approach to styling flair combined with clever innovation, practicality, merging fashion with function and value for your dollar, is a breath of fresh air.
One of the things that immediately grabs you when you pick up the Action II is how surprisingly light (2.4 pounds) in weight it is for a relatively large backpack. When you carry a backpack or computer case for more than a short distance, you begin to feel every extra ounce, and the Action II’s designers have done a great job of ensuring that the burden is no greater than necessary.
While you might be wondering what has been left out to keep weight down, there seems little cause for concern. The low weight is evidently attributable to use of advanced materials and clever engineering - not corner-cutting, and it certainly isn’t due to compromise on capacity. The Action II has plenty of internal volume to accommodate your stuff.
On the outside, you will find two generously-sized side pockets with zipper closures flanking the main case compartment, the right one incorporating an elastic secure strap for a water bottle. All of the Action II’s zippers have rubberized pull-tabs sewn to the zipper-pulls with nylon web lanyards, and embossed with the three-tone Pacific Design logo embossed - a little thing but classy touch nonetheless.
The backpack’s outer front panel contains a zipper pocket about 7” x 8” in dimensions. Immediately inboard of that is a three-quarter depth compartment, whose flap closure unzips on three sides for convenient, unobstructed access. The outer flap is armored with high density foam padding, and has a nylon net pocket on its inside face. The compartment’s back panel incorporates an organizer for small items, with a couple of shallow pockets at the top above the opening of a larger pocket about six inches deep. On the front of that pocket are two pen/pencil sleeves, and another pocket roughly 4” x 3” with a Velcro-fastened secure strap closure., plus a handy swivel key clip on a nylon lanyard. There is also room to stow and carry moderately-sized items and stuffable bits like cables in the compartment cavity itself.
At the top of the Action II’s front panel is one of Pacific Design’s signature features; an iPod compartment, which in this instance also unzips on three sides, and has an elasticized-closure net pocket inside to securely hold your iPod, plus a pass-through headphone port for your earphone cable. Very slick.
The Action II’s main computer compartment has a one-third depth pocket on its front partition, and a two-thirds depth sleeve for the computer at the back, padded both front and rear with more closed cell foam armor, and with two smaller pockets on its front face. A nylon webbing, Velcro-fastened retainer strap holds the computer securely in place in the sleeve.
The computer sleeve should satisfactorily accommodate any Apple laptop from a 12-inch PowerBook on up, to the maximum dimensions of 2” x 15.5” x 11.5”. My 17-inch PowerBook (1” x 15.4” x 10.2”) fits comfortably, albeit with little room to spare vertically, and the slightly deeper in chord 17-inch MacBook Pro (1” x 15.4” x 10.4”) will just fit in as well. There is more room for stuff, including full-width file folders, in the main compartment in front of the computer sleeve.
One criticism I have that would pertain particularly to 17-inch laptops is that the uppermost corners of the computer when in situ are protected only by the case’s nylon skin fabric material, with no foam padding there,. Damage from that quarter is not especially likely, but it’s not quite the degree of protection as I would prefer. However, this should not be an issue of concern with 15” or smaller laptops, which will be embedded deeply enough in the backpack for it not to be a worry.
Moving outside again, the outer surface of the Action II where it contacts your back is padded with a soft and resilient foam structure and lumbar padding covered by a moisture-shedding textured nylon fabric. The shoulder straps, also moisture-shedding, are padded with closed-cell foam over their entire length, and there is a nylon webbing waist strap with a quick-release buckle. Another handy and convenient feature is a padded carry handle at the top of the unit, for lugging the case for short distances, and which is something I really miss when using a backpack that doesn’t have one.
I couldn’t find anything to complain about regarding the Action II’s workmanship, which is surprisingly high-quality for a large, full-featured backpack that sells for just $50.00 - more like the price you would expect to pay for a sleeve case. Stitching is done neatly with no loose threads or sloppy fits.
If you’re looking for a computer backpack solution with style that won’t strain your budget or your back, the Pacific Design Action II Backpack XL should fill the bill nicely.
Features and specs.:
Computer Compartment
• Maximum Laptop Size: 2.00” x 15.5” x 12.0”
• CD/MP3 Pocket with Headphone Port
Organizer Compartment
• 1 Exterior Zippered Pocket
• 2 Side Zipper Pockets, 1 w/ Elastic Water Bottle Holder Inside
• Large General Storage
Additional Features
• Ergonomic Strap with Structure and Lumbar Padding
• Adjustable Waist Belt for Securing Loads
• Compatible with Nucleus
Dimensions 17.5” x 13.5” x 9”
Weight / Volume 2.4 lbs / 2125 cubic inches
Material Durable Nylon Microfiber
Color titanium gray/black
The Pacific Design Action II Backpack XL sells for $49.95.
This Product SHIPS FREE
For more information, visit:
http://www.pacificdesignstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=209&category=Laptop+Backpacks
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