09.12.06
The Breakfast Buffet
Time for the first review in the (dum dum dum!) “Quest for the Perfect Laptop Bag”: The Breakfast Buffet
by Crumpler.
Crumpler is a pretty well-known and regarded Australian bag company that started out making messenger bags for bicycle couriers. Their irreverant attitude and distinctive style has endeared them to many an owner, but will their smaller Breakfast Buffet measure up?
First, an overview. Small and bottom-heavy, this is really a bag I use for carrying around my 12″ Powerbook. It comes in a number of colours, but the muted light blue/yellow combination of mine certainly draws approving comments.
There are no external pockets, just a small (awkward) handle and the little crumpler man logo.
Opening it up, we see the internal yellow. The flap contains a mesh pocket and there is a small outside pocket.
The crumpler attention to detail shows up with the _very_ usable logo zip. Really like this, its size, weight, shape and even paint is great to zip and unzip! (Yes, I fear I might be autistic) The mesh pocket is intended for carrying cables, and makes the flap bulge somewhat.
The strap is wide and well-made, attached by a double velcro strap to the bag. Feels very sturdy and I haven’t had any issues with it yet. Crumpler logo shows up on the velcro again.
Looking inside the main section, you see the main problem - it’s tiny. There is a shock protected pocket that holds a 12″ laptop securely, but otherwise there is limited space for anything else.
… and that’s pretty much it! Which leads to the basic issue with this bag: it has no storage for anything much. I can fit the Powerbook, my notebook, perhaps one other item (PSP, Camera) and the power brick in the flap. Far from perfect.
The flap storage pocket is also not without issues - because is goes all the way through the flap, when you open it up items drop down into the bottom, which prevents the flap from closing: somewhat of a problem, especially if you’re in a hurry.
So, a summary of the good:
- Sturdy construction and attractive design
- Well-padded laptop storage.
- Good attention to detail
- and the not so good:
- The padded shoulder guard is not attached to the strap, which makes it skate around when you’re walking - a real pain in the a**. Or shoulder, as the case may be.
- There are no external pockets
- There are almost no _internal_ pockets - everything goes in the same 2 compartments with no filing.
- The flap pocket catches items in its base, preventing closure.
And against the criteria:
- macbook: NO
- psp or ds lite (or preferably both): One (possibly)
- iPod Nano: Yes, but with no protection
- power brick and mouse: YES
- moleskine notebook: YES
- document pocket: No Sir
- camera: Not really
- a book to read on plane takeoffs: Not even close.
- miscellaneous junk: Also no hope.
So, nice for a specific use but far from perfect. The quest continues.