Review: Brenthaven's Broadmore Backpack Optimized for Travel

The Brenthaven company was first introduced to me by the online Apple Store back in October 2001. I purchased my first Apple notebook, the Powerbook G4 667MHz Gigabit and chose a messenger style case. Brenthaven offered a special foam sleeve which perfectly cradled my prized titanium possession. Brenthaven knocked it out of the park providing plenty of other pockets that would fit my college notebooks and other accessories. Thirteen years later, you wouldn't be able to tell it's age.¹ It stayed with me when I upgraded to the MacBook Pro and also snuggled my wife's MacBook Air comfortably. But, back to why we're here; the TSA Friendly and amazingly spacious Broadmore Backpack.

If you don't already know, my career as an airline pilot requires me to travel quite a bit. In and out of various hotels, hotel shuttles, airplanes and airports, durability is of the utmost importance. TSA friendly bags offer a welcomed bonus but that never proved to be a deciding factor. Since I upgraded to Captain, I've found that sitting on reserve in base for days at a local hotel can be quite mundane. This made it urgent that my next bag needed not only fit my laptop but accommodate a Sony Playstation 3 which I know would provide me hours of entertainment.

I received a Brenthaven Broadmore BackPack last week to review for elijahnicolas.com and it has easily become my primary bag. Packed to the brim, it's proving every bit a worthy successor to my original Brenthaven Messenger. I was impressed by the generous padding not only on the back but on the shoulder straps which are also spliced with Napa leather. The zippers are high quality and the two soft lined pockets serve for quick storage or immediate access to your iPhone / Android and sunglasses. There are also two side pockets that can easily hold a water bottle or tumbler or whatever else you'd like.

One of the defining qualities of Brenthaven's Broadmore line is the "quilted and fully padded CORE™ Protection laptop compartment."

A Protection System that wraps your laptop in high-density protective foam. Flexible bow shaped forms at either end of the laptop compartment automatically adjust to allow a snug fit for any size laptop. Patent ID #7,549,535.

I was under the impression that I would end up using a companion sleeve for my laptop but I'm surprisingly comfortable sliding my MacBook Air 13" or MacBook Pro Retina Display 15" naked into the pocket. It hugs the laptop like a glove and so far, after a couple of unintended drops, the backpack has done it's job well. And yes, even my PS3 has survived.

I mentioned that I planned on carrying my laptop and Playstation 3 but I was able to pack in even more goodies into the Broadmore Backpack. Unknown to me prior to receiving the bag, it included an awesome iPad compartment in the inner pocket. A keyring and serial number can be found inside the outer most pocket and holds just about everything else with slots for pens, pencils, USB drives and wires a plenty. You could even throw in a few Field Notes notebooks too. Don't forget the zippered pockets within the backpack than will also keep those loose trinkets from getting lost in the bottom.

Overall, I'm very happy with the bag. It holds exactly what I need and more. It's stylish, well-built and I can see it being my last.

From left to right: Contigo Autoseal Stainless Steel Travel Mug 20oz, Sony Playstation 3, MacBook Air 13", PS3 power cable, HDMI cable, Thunderbolt to HDMI cable, Sony Playstation Wireless Headset, MacBook Air Powercord, Google Nexus 7" (2012), Hidden Radio Generation 1, PS3 Controller, followed by wallet, watch, keys, bracelet and my iPhone which I used to take this photo. An impressive feat and it even fit underneath my seat on an American Airlines MD80! I like the travel somewhat light. This bag weighs 3.1 pounds while measuring 14.5" W x 18" H x 6.5" D.

This beautiful bag is available from Brenthaven at $249 and comes with a 100% Lifetime Guarantee! If you find yourself traveling as much as I do or appreciate great craftsmanship and attention to detail, make this backpack your last.

Fits: MB Air 13.3", MB Pro 13.3", 14", MB Pro 15.4"

this post was written while listening to Noon Pacific.

---

1. I have since lost the actual Brenthaven messenger strap when the bag was checked on as a valet bag on a flight years ago. ↩

Xbox One Already Lowering Price

"We're doing this because it will generate sales, absolutely," Eagle told GameSpot. "I think it's a great deal for people in the UK to get a next-gen machine for £399 including Kinect, including Titanfall, in the box. Yeah, it's a great deal and hopefully lots of people will take up the offer."

So they're not having trouble outpacing Sony's still hard to find PS4? I'm thinking that although this deal is for the U.K. only, we'll see it soon here in the U.S. closer to Titanfall's release. Hell, I'm honestly contemplating it too but after seeing my 360 collect dust, I'm not holding my breath.

update: looks like its official that Microsoft is releasing a digital download version Titanfall bundle for $499.99 ultimately saving $59.99 for the game.

Playstation Plus at 40% off!!!

If there's one thing you want to take advantage of this Black Friday, you have to click "Buy Now" on Amazon's amazing deal for Playstation Plus Membership. It's a digital code so that means you get it right away and you can activate the awesome 1-year membership for 40% off!
Capitalize on this deal and purchase up to 2 years in advance! Buy now by clicking HERE!

Gieson's Initial Impressions on Sony's PS4

If you're looking for a clear winner in the latest console wars, you're not going to find it for at least another year. If you haven't bought into the next generation consoles or are trying to make the decision between Microsoft's Xbox One, Sony's PS4 ((I bought into the PS4 and no, do not have a preorder in for the Xbox One)) or even Nintendo's WiiU, check out my friend Gieson Cacho's Initial Impressions for the Contra Costa Times on the PS4.

Binding these games together is the social experience, which was the big surprise. The Share button lets players capture screenshots or stream their gaming sessions on sites such as Facebook, UStream or Twitch.tv. It opens up a world of possibility. It could do for streaming what YouTube did for Web videos. That's easily the console's killer app.

From my initial impressions, the PlayStation 4 presses the right buttons for the core crowd. All it needs now is a great game to make them happy with the system.

I currently have the PS3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo WiiU. I have definite regrets on both of the latter two devices but they did have their place at one point or two. I do see a Nintendo 3DSXL ((impart due to Pokemon Y and Polygon's review of the latest Zelda)) in the future and maybe a Playstation Vita.

Four Player Co-op CoD: Ghosts Extinction

Four player co-op versus a bunch of aliens?!?! Yea, another reason for Call of Duty: Ghosts. Although it comes out on November 5, looks like I won't be playing till the PS4 version comes out a couple of weeks later. I'll see you online then! http://youtu.be/eNm5CmnYBzU

What are you more excited about? Battlefield 4 of CoD: Ghosts?

The Official Battlefield 4 trailer just dropped and is touting, not only amazing visuals and graphics, but a very intriguing storyline staring the USS Valkyrie fighting its way through some rough seas all by itself. Check it out below. I also included the Call of Duty: Ghosts trailer so make sure watch that too. Both of these trailer depict their single player goodness which both titles also being released on Sony's and Microsoft's next generation consoles next month! http://youtu.be/CrtwqDt0IEk

http://youtu.be/SumIZb6qMJw

What game are you most excited for on which console? I've always been a CoD fan so I'm in for a Playstation 4 and Ghosts, but Battlefield has stepped up big time!