Keysmart Urban Portfolio Briefcase: The Ultra-Organized Slim Hard Shell Briefcase

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When I saw that Keysmart had expanded its portfolio to include laptop bags, I was intrigued. And while it might seem like an unusual move for a company that made its name by offering a modern take on the traditional key ring, once I got one of their Keysmart Urban Portfolio Briefcases for review, it made perfect sense.

I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to describe this laptop case as it doesn’t sit comfortably in any known category. It’s a hard shell briefcase but far too thin to be considered a briefcase. It’s a hard shell laptop sleeve but thicker and with more organization than any sleeve I’ve ever seen. In other words, the Keysmart Urban Portfolio Briefcase is a product unto itself.

Let’s take a walk around the bag.

Measuring 17″ x 3.125″ x 13″, the bag is large enough to hold the new 16” MacBook Pro. At its center is a protective shockproof hard shell that keeps your laptop and other gear safe.

On either side, there is a thin pocket that runs the length of the bag. They look like items placed inside will easily fall out, but they won’t thanks to hidden magnetic closures along the top of each.

Inside there are more than twelve different pockets, including one that is specifically designed to hold a Tile Slim tracker. Other pockets are designed to hold an SD card, a Micro SD card, and two Sim Cards. A cable pass-through lets you charge devices without needing to search through your bag.

Never Worry About Losing Your Briefcase or Laptop: Tile Slim works with the free Tile app to let you track your briefcase from your phone or activate a ringtone so you can find it faster.

The dedicated Tile pocket is a huge selling point for this bag. It’s a great idea, but you can attach a Tile to any bag, so it isn’t a huge draw for me.

An internal divider separates the two sides of the internal compartment. One side is designed to safely hold a laptop.

The other side of the divider is open and waiting for your documents and files. Alternatively, you can add an EasyLock Grid and Pocket Organizer. (It’s available as an add on at check out when purchasing the bag.) I had a GRID organizer and tried checked to see if it might work. Its size was perfect, and a small magnetic tab held it in place. It’s a great way to add extra organization to the bag and keep everything securely in place.

The comfortable foam shoulder strap is comfortable whether placed on a single shoulder or thrown over a shoulder and worn as a crossbody carry. If you don’t want to use the should strap, you can easily remove it and carry the bag by the two handles. When brought into proximity to one another, the magnets inside the handles keep them together.

Finally, it is worth noting that Keysmart used water-resistant material and waterproof zippers in the bag’s construction to help keep everything inside safe from the elements. If you are looking for a laptop folio/briefcase that will keep your gear safe, you need to look no further than the Keysmart Urban Portfolio Briefcase.

Features:

  • 12+ internal pockets
  • Designated Tile Pocket
  • Protective 16” Laptop Pocket
  • Durable & Water Resistant
  • Tech Organization
  • Comfort Foam Shoulder Strap
  • Internal Divider
  • Protective Shockproof Hardshell
  • Water-Resistant Material +
  • Waterproof Zippers
  • Protective Shockproof Hardshell
  • Detachable Shoulder Strap
  • Designated Till Pocket
  • Protected Pockets For SD, Micro SD, and Sim Cards
  • Cable Pass-Through
  • Two Quick-Access External Pockets With Magnetic Closure
  • Magnetic Handles
  • Compatible with EasyLock Grid and Pocket Organizer
  • Lightweight and Easy to Carry
  • Fits All Your Files and Documents
  • Dimensions: 17″ x 3.125″ x 13″ 2.79 lbs

 

Here’s a promotional video of the bag.

Keysmart calls this a “portfolio briefcase.” That sounds cool, but it also is a nod to the fact that this bag doesn’t fall comfortably in a specific category.

It’s bigger and heavier than a portfolio. That means it might be too much of a bag for someone who is looking to travel light.

It’s thinner and carries less than most laptops. That means someone who wants to take anything more than a laptop or tablet, some papers, and a few small items will find it too limiting.

That’s neither a positive or a negative, but it does mean this bag is intended for a particular individual whose needs are rather specific. Add in the fact that the bag weighs almost 3 pounds before you put anything inside.

In the end, I have a bit of a mixed relationship with this bag. I love the look, the design, and the way it keeps gear safe. At the same time, it’s design limits the amount t of hear you can store inside and, even before you add anything, the bad is surprisingly heavy. Despite those concerns, I’ve been using it and enjoy carrying it. Check it out here.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Smartly designed; Nice organization; Water and crushproof; Dedicated Tile pocket

What Needs Improvement: Limited storage; Weighs almost three pounds empty

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.