Chic laptop bag

Standard Technical Merchandise is one of my favourite companies. My old shoulder-strap laptop bag from STM is still going strong after five years of almost constant use, having carried my 15-inch MacBook Pro to countless meetings, on several flights and on many walks. Other STM bags I’ve looked at in the past have similarly impressed.

But women, hey? Sure, some women don’t mind a strong bag that looks like a laptop bag (and is a laptop bag), but quite often I’m asked ‘Is there a bag that doesn’t look like a laptop bag that I can carry my laptop in?’. Good question. They were thin on the ground.

Well, sure, some bags can fit laptops, but proper laptop bags have padding and other features that really look after your laptop, and this is what you want, right? Yeah.

But then along came this little beauty, well padded with felt.  

In a somewhat delicious-looking cream and chocolate PU fabric with a water resistant lining, the Latte has a wide nylon strap with a thick, well-cushioned shoulder pad. And if the shoulder pad is too bulky for you, it’s easily removable. 

Let’s face it, a shoulder bag will never be as comfortable as striding out with a laptop in a fitted backpack, but some people need to carry laptops in their lives and they just don’t want to look like hikers. Or students.   

And the Latte may be debonair and slim-line, it even accommodates a big Canon MkII 5D digital SLR with ease, along with a spare zoom lens and its manual, with room left over for other odds and ends. 

Front and back slip pockets are perfect for sliding documents into – great for travelling – and a front zip pocket can hold an iPod touch, an iPhone and other devices.

Despite the chic styling, the Latte’s stitching is heavy and designed for load bearing. The fittings look and feel good and strong. 

I hate to get all gender-differential on you, but it’s a bit too stylish for me, if anything. I’m wondering if it’s because I’m an older-school bloke. But if you’re an unashamed metrosexual, or the colours just really suit you, or you’re an All Black so no one will argue with you, or you’re (most likely of all) a woman who needs to port a laptop but you also need to look cool, this is a damn good bag.

Conclusion Outstanding. This bag may well be the answer to some people’s – and especially  women’s – prayers.

What’s great  it just doesn’t look like a laptop bag, yet the Latte has all the features of a good laptop bag, and it’s surprisingly roomy.

What’s not  may not suit some people (ie, some men). 

Needs  your MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro 13-inch, and an agenda.

Looks 10/10

Usability 9/10

Value for money 8/10

> STM Latte laptop shoulder bag $109.95 (Übertec in Parnell had it cheaper)

Description  a shoulder bag for the style conscious that looks good with Macs.

System  at least one good shoulder

Contact STM Bags – available from selected Apple Resellers.