A short time ago, A good friend of mine did a great review on the Boog Python XL backpack. I thought it was a terrific review and it needed a wider audience to see it. So with his permission, I have posted it here for all to see. If you are looking for a new "tote", then this backpack should be a strong consideration.
Boog Python XL
By David Matson (aka Elrendhel)
August 27, 2006
Developer/Vender: Booq LLC
Price: $219.00 -$279.00
Booq offers a Premium Quality Backpack for Larger Laptops!
Introduction
I recently decided to purchase a new laptop system in order to keep up with my work load. I was focusing on purchasing a larger 17” system, and it was evident to me that any laptop that I intended to buy would not fit into my existing laptop bag. So before my purchase, I began shopping around for a laptop bag that would perfectly fit my new laptop.
Unfortunately, there are decidedly fewer laptop carrier bags or cases that are specifically designed for the newer 17” laptop form factor, and even fewer again if your system is of a “widescreen” variety. Some basic research indicated that while you could certainly drop a fair amount of money (anywhere from $50 to $300) into any number of premium bags for a laptop, the bulk of them had no justifiable reason to be labeled premium: the product quality did not seem top-notch; warranties were very limited or non-existent; flimsy or questionable construction; color/design (aesthetics) were all wrong for my personality, etc. While I did find a few premium carriers that would fit my 17” widescreen laptop, the list was small. However, I was able to narrow my search down to one product rather quickly, because only one product manufacturer made a carrier that fit all of my needs: 1.) Premium quality: I wanted a backpack that would last, and had an excellent warranty to back it up! 2.) Form Factor: For my personal needs, a backpack format would work best. I needed one that was compact in size, yet full of pockets for storage! 3.) Aesthetic quality: The backpack needed to do it’s job right, but it also needed to look good doing it! Overview The backpack is available for sale by itself, or as the major component in a “system” package, which also includes an additional sleeve (that you insert your laptop into prior to insertion into the backpack), as well as an Anaconda 5 accessory case for your iPAQ or cell phone. I do not intend to be hard enough on my backpack (and the laptop inside) to warrant the use of a second layer of padding for the laptop. Additionally, I don’t relish the idea of removing my laptop from two different enclosures when I need it, so I decided to pass on the “system” version of the Python XL, opting instead for the Python XL backpack by itself. Product Claims There are two choices for the user; either buy the Python XL by itself, or as part of a package deal called a “System”: Python XL alone: “New! Large-capacity laptop backpack for your 17" MacBook Pro, PowerBook, or PC laptop. Rugged, large-scale performance and virtually unlimited storage options come standard.” Python XL [System]: “The System includes the Python XL, a sleeve of choice, and the new Anaconda 5 accessory case. The complete large-capacity laptop backpack solution for your 17" MacBook Pro, PowerBook, or PC laptop. Rugged, large-scale performance and virtually unlimited storage options come standard.” Premium Quality: The Python series is made from only the highest grade materials, a claim that is readily confirmed when you pick up the bag and see it’s solid construction, and feel the ruggedness of it’s rigid frame construction. Weighing-in at 5.4 lbs, it’s not light, but the extra padding and extra material used for all those extra pockets is well worth the extra weight. Here are just a few of my observations on the quality of this product. I would agree that this is an extremely fair set of policies, based on the main fact that the high-quality of their product design, materials, and construction greatly reduces the likelihood of a defect in workmanship occurring in the first place. Booq rarely gets a return, so of course they want to hear about it if you actually find a defect! A Few Words on Pockets! One of the first things I observed about this backpack was the sheer number of pockets that it contains. I’m a very tech-oriented guy, with a lot of gadgets, but I actually ran out of stuff to put in this bag!! The Main Laptop pocket measures approximately 17” high, by 12.25” wide, by 2” deep, which is more than sufficient room to house most any 17” laptop (widescreen format or a regular 17” format). This pocket has a rigid inner framing that allows the bag to maintain a straight appearance, even when the pack is fully loaded. The siding of this special pocket is lined with a scratch-resistant fabric in order to provide your laptop with the best possible care it can get. The padding that provides the buffer-zone and safe harbor for your valuable laptop is approximately half an inch on each side, top, and bottom of this pocket. This padding is visible in the screen shot to the right, just to the right of the laptop. The front and back of the laptop compartment is also protected by almost a half-inch of padding. Main User pocket: The Back Flap Interior: On the inside of the back flap alone, there are two pencil pockets (2” by 6”) with fold down flaps that Velcro shut, a mesh net towards the bottom (6” high by 8” across the lip), a quick-release holder for keys, and a pocket with additional scratch resistant fabric, perfect for your more fragile equipment. This back flap is anchored to the sides of the backpack by a fan-fold, which adds to the stability of the backpack, and assures that the hinge-point of the flap will not absorb all of the stress that a typical hinge receives. On the exterior of this flap is a quick access zipper to the top contents of the main user pocket, as well as two side pockets with curved zipper openings, about 12” high and about 5” wide. The Main User Pocket Interior: On the interior of the main user pocket, there are two side-by-side expandable pockets (the left 5” across by 6.5” high, the right pocket is 6.5” across by 8” high) with fold-down flaps that Velcro shut, and a larger expandable pocket below that measures approximately 11” across and about 8.5” high, also with a fold-down flap that Velcro shut. Behind this larger covered pocket is an open pocket, which measures 14” across and about 10” high. Exterior Pockets: On the sides of the backpack there is a cable storage enclosure (one on each side of the backpack), each measuring 12” high by 5” wide by 2” deep, and are zipper-sealed along the perimeter. On the exterior of each enclosure is an open sleeve pocket that is 8” high by 5” wide. Introducing, the ECTO! I have saved the best for last. The ECTO is a removable bag that attaches to the back of the backpack by way of two quick-release clips. This bag unzips along it’s perimeter, and unfolds open like a clamshell. On one side there are two padded pockets, one a 3” by 8” covered pocket (with Velcro shut), the other a 2” by 8” covered pocket (also with Velcro shut), as well as an uncovered pocket 8” by 8”. The other side contains three open access pockets stacked on top of each other (such that one full pocket will make it harder to fill the remaining two pockets), as well three pencil slots. The exterior of the Ecto has a zippered pocket in the front, which measures 8” across and 8” high, and contains extra padding. There is another pocket on the back which is also padded, but does not have a zipper, and closes securely by way of a Velcro latch. The Ecto also comes with a removable shoulder strap, in case you prefer to carry the Ecto by itself. But how well does it fit? The Booq website warns that the backpack might not be for everyone, and I can understand this from the aspect that its unloaded weight is about 5.4 lbs, and that it is a rather large backpack. However, I found the backpack to be perfectly sized, considering that it’s job is to hold a 17” widescreen laptop. I felt that the designers did a wonderful job utilizing the existing footprint by providing as many pockets and extras as they could. The backpack fits well on my right shoulder for short distance travel (from the house to the car), and across both shoulders for longer distance travel (a ten minute walk from work to a restuarant for lunch, as well as a two hour geo-cache hike). The weight of the Backpack itself was not really a consideration for me, since the stuff I carried in the backpack far outweighed the backpack itself. The shoulder straps were well-padded and felt very comfortable, even on the longer distance journeys. The rigid construction of the backpack, in addition to the padding between the wearer and the laptop compartment did a wonderful job of distributing the overall weight of the backpack across my back, so that I was not fatigued prematurely. Of course, for extra short trips, there is a padded hand-hold for carrying your backpack like a book bag. I found this handle very comfortable for short distance moves, or for just turning the bag around. Aesthetic Quality In fact, I received several compliments from friends and co-workers over the ingenuity of the design, and several more over the quality of the materials used in making the product. All were interested in watching me open the backup and show-off all the pockets that I had managed to utilize, and most were quite surprised when they saw how many pockets were available, even after I had utilized as many as possible. A word on Security There is also a down-side to having a cool looking premium product, and that would be the obvious prospect of theft. One of my bigger considerations with regards to laptop security is that if you intend to buy a case for a laptop, it should not necessarily LOOK like it’s holding a valuable laptop inside it. Less than two of ten seasoned IT friends and coworkers that I spoke to about this bag even suspected that it contained my $1500 laptop. None suspected that it also contained my cell phone and iPAQ PDA. This helped to reassure me that an average person would be less likely to recognize the bag’s true purpose. Having a laptop carrier that does not look like a laptop carrier is an excellent way to help ensure the security of your property. Of course this only helps ensure the security of your devices, it does not guarantee their security. There is no substitute for using common sense, and maintaining a security-based mindset. Company Name: Booq LLC Company Address: 360 Adams Street Sierra Madre CA 91024 Company Tel#: 626-836-9365 Company Website: www.booqbags.com Product Cost: $219 for Python XL alone, or $279 for the Python XL System.
Enter the Python XL by Booq, which met all of my initial requirements right off the top!
The basic fabric is a weather-resistant ballistic nylon, which is probably the best single indicator that this product is going to last a very long time. 
Main Laptop pocket: 
This pocket is a little bigger, measuring in at 17” high, about 14” wide, and about 3” deep. 
On the outside of the backpack (in the padded back of the backpack) there is a single zippered pocket, which opens on the left-side of the pack as you face it, and measures 11” high by 12” wide, and is well suited to holding paperwork or other documentation. The zipper is tucked into the padding of the backpack so that the zipper is not felt while being worn. 
I really enjoy owning a backpack that fits my style and compliments my personality. Booq’s use of a single color (jet black) throughout the entire design works well for me, as I have never liked multicolor or multi-tone color systems. A single color allows your eyes to wander along whatever lines that catch your eye. I should mention that the booq logo is orange and does tend to attract attention, but I found it entirely easy to ignore this attention-getter after only a short time. I like the fact that from a distance, the backpack looks like any other. But up close and personal, you start to see the design elements that make this backpack totally unique. And it’s only when you open it up that you start to feel a sincere appreciation for all the time the Booq engineers spent designing this backpack. Conclusion
This backpack is an incredible product, one that has managed to earn a perfect 5 out of 5, in my humble opinion. The quality is absolutely first rate, and the price, while higher than average, is certainly understandable for such a premium quality product. The number of pockets provides even the most battle-hardened road warrior with plenty of options.
For those users who only need a laptop bag for a 15” or smaller Laptop, but prefer the benefits of the Python Series, Booq also sells the smaller Python XM, which has as many pockets as the XL, lacks the Ecto bag, and costs a bit less at $189 (or $239 for the System).
PROs
· Premium Quality construction using 1680D ballistic nylon.
· Large number of pockets will suit most needs.
· The ECTO is removable and has its own shoulder strap.
· Rigid Frame construction ensures less stress is placed on the laptop.
· Most pockets are closable by way of a Velcro latch.
· Some pockets were designed with extra neoprene padding for sensitive equipment.
· All Zippers are water proof.
· The overall Ruggedness of the product is first rate!
· If you buy the System, the included sleeve doubles the laptop padding.
· If you buy the System, the included Anaconda-5 will protect the average-sized cell phone or iPOD, but is not quite wide enough to shelter a PDA cell phone.
CONs
· Price may be high for some consumers, but the premium quality is worth it!
· The Booq website itself warns that “the Python XL might not be for everyone”. The manufacturer wants the potential buyer to understand that this is a large backpack, it has to be in order to carry a 17” laptop. However, I found the size issue to be a moot point, and found the backpack itself to be perfectly manageable.
The Specifics
Click read more below to read Elrendhel's full review
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