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I purchased this product as a backup for my $100 leather laptop case and because I saw it listed as a top seller — it’s now my full-time laptop carrying case and I understand clearly why it is so popular.

Well-designed, sturdy and light … perfect for the office as well as school. Lots of pockets without being gimmicky, ergonomics were definitely a major consideration in product development. It’s so much more comfortable than my pricier laptop case and so much more versatile, too. I can carry books, files, lunch — just about everything but the kitchen sink without getting a sore shoulder.

My purchase price was <$20 with the rebate but I would easily pay twice that with pleasure should I ever need to replace it. Un-be-liev-a-ble. Great for students or as a gift.
Rating: 5 / 5

I got tired of “trying to be a cute grad student” and set out to replace my painful messenger bag with a laptop carrying case that possessed the following:

(1) padded protection for a 14″ wide screen laptop (Dell XPS m140) and its relatively small charger,

(2) space to accommodate at LEAST a 1.5″ binder (and 1″ text book, if at all possible)

(3) multiple compartments to store pens, graphing calculator, organizer, cell phone, and other small what-nots

(4) padded dual shoulder comfort/ superior durability

(5) in giving up the messenger back I knew I had to compromise some style but I really wanted something that wasn’t terribly bulky, colorful or dramatic in overall design

(6) and most importantly- on a college student budget I refused to pay the $50+ price tag of many popular models…

So, I came across this backpack after a thorough search for something compatible. The Targus Groove Backpack met all of my criteria! Please note, I have not had it long enough to comment on durability but it is made very well (thick, tight stitching, smooth zippering, reinforced bottom, etc). It is a BIG book bag but it makes up for that in the modestly coordinated black nylon with gray logos and its non-bulky exterior. Additionally, the laptop pocket fits my Dell m140 perfectly (13x9x1.5″) and it still has breathing room for thickness and height with a small Velcro strap to go over the top exposed portion of the laptop. The pocket padding is very sufficient, but I still keep mine in a thin protective sleeve to keep the case scratch free. I was ecstatic to find that it could house my overstuffed 1.5″ binder, charger, cell, calculator, pen/pencil zipping case, organizer, AND a 2″ text book with more room to boot!! Of course I had to put it on for a test of comfort and found the shoulder padding EXCELLENT. (I am small framed so I hope this will prove true for larger statures as well.) And BEST of all, I caught it on sale at CompUSA for $29.99 with a $10 rebate for overall $19.99 +tax!!! I really wouldn’t change anything about this bag except maybe add lower lumbar support or a massage mechanism (kidding). Oh yeah, the bag itself is relatively lightweight, which I found to be a problem with some other models.

All in all, it seems to have been a GREAT buy and I would highly recommend the Targus Groove Backpack to anyone looking for a lightweight, comfortable, non-tacky, compartment friendly, inexpensive and spacious laptop backpack.
Rating: 5 / 5

Saw a recommendation for this bag on a tech site and decided to try it. It’s the real deal. I agree with the other poster that it looks a lot better in person than in the Amazon product shot. It doesn’t look “expensive” in person (not a great idea for a bag containing a $1,500 machine anyway), but the picture makes it look cheesy, and that’s not the reality.

Further, the Amazon sales copy above is erroneous — I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this bag actually has many more features than are listed. One example: The copy says “Side Pocket for Extra Storage and Water Bottle Transport.” In fact, there’s not one side pocket; there are four: each side has its own zippered compartment, each covered by a discrete mesh water-bottle pouch. And there are other pockets inside that aren’t mentioned. This is a great benefit to me, as my previous computer backpack had a few big compartments, rather than separate pockets — everything would get tangled, and then spill out in a heap once opened. That won’t happen with this bag. I’m not sure why Amazon is underplaying the features of this bag — perhaps to protect the more expensive models?

A minor negative: the zippers feel like they’re of medium (not high) quality. (It’s a failed zipper on my old Jansport that has me searching for a new backpack. After 12 years of rough use I have no quibbles with the Jansport’s quality — but it was five times the price of this Targus.)

The only real caveat I would point out is visible in the product shot: it’s that Targus has prominently embroidered their name on it. Anyone who would be looking to rip off a laptop would know that Targus makes computer accessories, so this seems a bonehead move — why not just go all the way and sew “Steal This Laptop” in the same place? Oh, well — if you can get past that, at this price (and more so with the rebate), this purchase is a no-brainer. Grab one before the price goes up, or before Targus figures out that this model is cannibalizing the sales of their more expensive units.
Rating: 5 / 5