The 13 MacBook Pro Backpack - Behind the Design
This is a series of interviews about the story behind the design of MacCase products. For this interview, we are again speaking to MacCase President Michael Santoro about the company's 13 MacBook Pro Backpack.
Jody - You speak a lot about creating the best products you can. Why is this the best 13” MacBook Pro backpack?
MS: This backpack is one of unparalleled versatility, comfort, safety and value. What makes it the best is that there are no compromises. The best 13” MacBook Pro backpack is lightweight, protective of both the hardware and the user, comfortable and a good value. It excels at doing all of those things well.
Our MacCase Messenger bags revolutionized what a laptop messenger bag could be and the versatility it could provide. When it came time to design a new backpack, we asked, could lightening strike twice? It did.
Our goal was to design a simple, lightweight, protective computer backpack that really answered the needs of someone who needs a pack to go the the coffee shop, to school, for commuting to work or even for day use during extensive travel. While trying to have one product answer all of those needs may seem like a big ask, when you distill it down, the needs are all very similar.
The result is what you see before you. Want to carry your iPad with you as well as your 13 MacBook Air? No problem! There is a built-in iPad compartment inside the main body of the pack. We tried to put as many features in as we could for the price.
Our Sleeve combined with the built in laptop compartment inside the pack creates one of the safest environments for your 13" Apple laptop available from anyone at any price. The two pieces can be used together or separately providing more options and a better value for you. Protection, comfort, even safety, this pack has is all.
A MacBook Pro 13" Backpack with a Difference
JKD - This was done after the 12” model. How is the 13” different?
MS - The 12" allows the computer to be stored horizontally with the vertically oriented backpack shell which is quite unique. With this pack, the computer is stored vertically inside the separate sleeve then inside the built in sleeve.
The thing that makes this MacCase backpack different from what many other laptop case companies who make backpacks do is that we include one of our custom sleeves with the basic bag.
So it's like super-sizing the protection. You get the proven protection of our MacCase sleeve and then that goes into what is already a very protective backpack.
JDK - Can they be used separately?
MS - Yes. That is what is so great about this package. You can use them separately or together. If you have a rolling bag that you want to use and you want to put your 13 Air or Pro in there, you have the sleeve that came with the pack that you can then use to protect your Pro in the roller.
If you want to use the backpack to take to the gym, you leave the sleeve and the computer at home and throw your gym stuff in the pack and you're off to the gym. It's the most versatile backpack out there for the 13" Air or Pro.
JDK - If this was the same basic idea as the old Combo model, why release the new one?
MS - The MacPack Combo had been in production a long time. Off hand I can't think of how many years it's been around. A customer just sent us an image of a MacPack Combo and I asked him when he bought it.
"2005", he said. Our backpacks last a long time. Customers put them through hell and they last. In this industry, our product life cycles are glacial. Other's do new models every 6 months, we're more like every 6 years.
A Backpack Where Quality Matters
JKD - Well why is that?
MS - Because I'm not interested in putting junk into the world. There is enough junk in the world. To me, doing products with ultra short life cycles just shows how little you thought about the design, the problem you were attempting to solve and the solution you reached. How good can something be if the first thing you do when you complete it is start the working on replacing it?
There are so many examples of products being replaced for the sake of replacing them and the replacement is worse. Is that progress? Is that good design? Is that making the world a better place or just going through the motions for the sake of the motion itself? That's not interesting to me.
I like to spend time developing the designs, testing, solving the real problem and then see how the world reacts. How can you learn anything if you're not listening. If you're off designing the next version of the thing you just finished, how can you make it better? As I mentioned, our designs have very long life cycles and it seems to work.
But back to your original question…
The MacPack Combo was originally designed to hold the 17" Apple laptop along with all the smaller sizes in Apple's lineup. When the 17" went away there was no reason for the backpack part of the design to be so tall.
We had a few customers return the the Combo because they had 13" laptops and didn't need all that vertical space designed to hold the 17" that was no longer made.
JKD - So you don't foresee any more returns?
MS - The new 13 pack is the absolute perfect size for any of the 13" models. I doubt we'll get another return ever again because the bag is too big. It's compact, lightweight, comfortable and holds an incredible mouth of stuff for the size that it is.
When you combine it with the proven protection of our MacCase Sleeve, you have something truly unique in the market. It's probably the highest level of protection you can purchase for the money.
Moreover, it's an incredible value because you are getting both the backpack and the sleeve for one low price. Geez, I sound like one of those TV pitchmen. But, really it's a great value on top of providing the best all around protection.
The Best MacBook Pro 13 Backpack Keeps You Safe Too
JKD - There are a lot of features in such a compact form. Can you speak about what makes this pack unique? Why is it special?
MS - Most laptop backpacks have a standard set of features. When we designed this new backpack we wanted something better than "just what everybody else has". We started with an extremely lightweight, compact design with separate hardware compartments for MacBooks and iPads.
We wanted a backpack design that didn't look like you were carrying an expensive laptop. This is very important, especially for women. Then added the comfort of our "X" Brace rear padding system and shawl style straps that channels air between the pads to keep you cool on warmer days.
Additionally, there are twin reflective inserts on each side of the bag. This is the same material used in road signs and firefighter jackets. It is a high visibility material designed to make sure you are seen if you happen to be crossing a street in low light conditions or at night.
At MacCase, we literally "got your back". With these dual Scotchlight reflective insert panels you can been seen in low light or in the dark and you have a backpack that not only keeps your laptop and iPad safe, but you as well!
On the inside we created BRIGHTSIGHT 2.0, the next generation of our interior design that allows ambient light to reflect down inside the pack so you can really see what you are looking for.
Many customers have told us BRIGHTSIGHT removes all the stress of searching for things like keys or their phone at night or in a dark parking garage. It works and after using a BrightSight 2.0 pack for a while you'll never want to go back to using a black lined pack or bag again.
JKD - That sounds like a winning combination. Thanks you for your time.
FAQ -
Is it safe to put a MacBook in a backpack?
Yes, but it depends on the pack. The exterior of an Apple laptop can be temperamental and easily scratched. When transporting your 13" MacBook Pro it's best to find a pack designed specifically to do so. Look for a dedicated laptop compartment. A pack with a dedicated sleeve and a built in compartment is best.
What is a laptop bag?
A laptop bag can be any cut and sewn container usually made of a flexible material that has a specific area inside that is designed to store and transport a laptop computer like a 13" MacBook Pro safely and securely. The bag may also have other compartments and pockets for carrying other items.
How do I choose a laptop backpack?
Steps
- Find one sized to fit your laptop or larger.
- Insist on a dedicated, secure place to store your laptop.
- Look for a main compartment and a second compartment for extra storage.
- Look for places for things that are important to you, like a water bottle pocket.
- Look for quality zippers.
- Make sure it's padded, looks comfortable and will fit you securely.
- Look for an excellent warranty.
