If you are looking for serious protection for your laptop, and you want to carry a tablet, and you need a backpack that can hold all your gear, you will want to take a look at the Pelican ProGear S100 Elite Backpack.
The ProGear S100 is a beast and that’s a good thing. In fact, it almost came with me as a mainstay of my CES 2013 gear after I was sent one for review*. Let’s take a closer look at this backpack that packs ultimate laptop protection.
The Pelican ProGear S100 Sport Elite Laptop Backpack stands out because of its built-in watertight, crushproof case. This case is for anyone who is serious about protecting their precious laptop. This case was the main reason I became interested in it. After all, my MacBook Pro is coming to Vegas, and it is the most expensive computer I have ever owned; I need to protect it. Period.
Better still, the laptop case is offers “Top-Loading, Fast Access TSA Ready and Under Seat Convenience” that will make traveling with it even easier. The laptop compartment is perfectly sized for my 15″ MacBook Pro. If, however, you are using a smaller, thinner laptop, the company includes bumpers that will effectively make the compartment smaller and prevent the laptop from sliding around.
This backpack has much more to offer. At the top is a “SureGrip Soft Rubber Handle” that lets you grab and carry the pack as if it were a briefcase. I can see this being pretty handy when you are on the go and need to quickly grab your gear and get moving.
A rigid plate on the lower half of the bag’s front opens to reveal a slot for a tablet. Yes — this pack is designed for those of us who use both and laptop and a tablet and need to protect both.
The main storage area can hold 25 liters, which is a pretty sizable amount of gear. And if you are carrying less there are “Load Compression Straps” on the sides that allow you to cinch the bag and keep everything tightly, and safely, held.
The pack is rounded out by “Floating Shoulder Straps and Lumbar Pad with Ergonomic Ventilated Back” and a chest clip and removable hip belt.
In all this pack is, as previously noted, a beast. Here’s a video look:
As you can see from the video, this is an impressive backpack and is great for those of us who truly care about the gear we carry. The only reason I won’t be bringing it to CES is its weight. At over 7 pounds (before you even begin adding gear), this is a heavy pack. That’s not an issue if you don’t have back or shoulder problems, but for those of us who need to be careful with our backs this pack, when combined with the 16 hour days at CES, isn’t the right fit.
My loss… your potential gain since we will be giving this pack away to one reader at some point during CES!!
You can learn more and order yours here on the Pelican website.
MSRP: $269.95
What I Like: Great laptop protection; Holds plenty of gear; Protective area for tablet; Decent padding; Top grab handle
What Needs Improvement: It is heavy enough that its weight needs to be a consideration
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
*I’m super impressed with it; I won’t be bringing it… but only for personal, back-related reasons.
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