Before I begin this review, I want everyone reading this to know that I have reviewed over five hundred products. It’s been a privilege to get hands on experience with iPhone accessories, software, bags, Internet devices, 3G signal boosters; the list goes on and on. As a professional reviewer with a huge audience that expects honest straight forward and truthful reviews, I can say without hesitation that the product I am going to review for you, PowerBag – Backpack – designed by Ful, is hands down the best developed, simplistic and most practical product I have ever had in my hands!
There are certain specific things that I am looking for when I review a product; most important is the material that it is manufactured from. Last year I reviewed a bag that had great functionality, but was destroyed after walking across my University’s campus during a tropical storm. PowerBag – Backpack is made with a rugged, waterproof canvas material. The zippers are thick, strong and made of an extremely durable high quality metal designed for years of zipping and unzipping. Combined with the shell it morphs into an indestructible tank, that will give you years of use, and most important will protect everything you will ever pack; especially electrical devices. Inside you will see a smooth nylon lining, I had no issues sliding my 13″ MacBook Pro in and out, and reaching for my iPad was a synch. Every compartment (moving from the back to the front) is lined with durable non-bulky foam, cushioning your expensive devices, and comforting the user.
Design
PowerBag – Backpack features two ergonomically designed suspension adjustable shoulder straps, padded with cross-chest support, and a pouch allowing quick access to an onboard smartphone. Resting on the user is an individually pocketed cushioning allowing for circulating air to move to and from user and bag, as well as providing additional protection. Following the back is a dedicated 16″ expandable laptop sleeve, with full foam protection. Accessing the laptop sleeve is a separate zipper located on the side of the bag, this provides easy access to remove your laptop without having to remove the PowerBag – backpack off yourself. I found this feature to be ridiculously convenient, and wonderful when walking thru airport security. After the sleeve is an enormous traditional backpack pocket, with more then enough room for any oversized book. I was able to schlep two Biology books, one Sociology book, two notepads, and my microscope accessories that I use for Biology lab. There was still plenty of room remaining, and everything lay smooth and balanced. The last and furthest pocket is lined with protective foam as well, and a foam lined dedicated tablet sleeve, individual organizational pockets, as well as credit card and penholders. Its what is nestled into this pocket that makes this the greatest backpack you will every own, and by far the most practical product any computer geek could dream about.
The power inside the PowerBag!
Practically placed so not to disturb anything inside is the heart of this special bag. Onboard is a 3000mAh battery, with enough power to recharge two cycles of charging on all available smartphones. Extending and well plumbed thru the back is a built in Apple 30 pin connector, one mini USB connector, and one micro USB connector. These important wires have a dedicated multi pocket pouch located on the side, making for quick access to recharging devices. To the right of the battery is a USB port, allowing anything USB to have the ability to draw power off the battery and recharge. I was able to hook up a 4 port USB hub and recharge an iPad and Kindle Fire at the same time. The battery is the only one of its kind, and the manufacture has an additional 3000mAh, 6000mAh and 9000mAh Lithium Polymer batteries available. Batteries slide in and out with little to no effort and are safely locked in with a clip. Each battery can be charged on there own with the include AC wall adapter. However my choice of recharging was using the waterproof plug located on the front of the bag. Located next to the charging port is the PowerBag logo, and when pressed will show one of four led lights indicating the remaining charge of the onboard battery. This is also the button that will start the flow of recharging juice to your plugged in devices.
Using the PowerBag -Backpack to the MAX!
When I agreed to review this product I expressed to the manufacture that I want to use this product to the max. They were very generous and included an additional 6000mAh battery. I did as I promised; I took this bag with all my electrical devices all over campus. I went out of my way to attempt to destroy the bag or my devices only to fail. I walked from one end of campus to the other in a rainstorm; the waterproofing did exactly as designed and protected everything from incoming water. I even placed the bag against a building in a puddle of water, with my 13″ MacBook Pro on board, and the bottom rubber material protected it from all the obstacles. My use of the bag was far more extreme then the normal user, and its my crazy attempts of destruction that makes me confidentially say that this is the greatest bag to carry any electrical devices. The bag is airport friendly, and there was no interruption when I charged my iPad on a Boeing 737 to Miami, and returning to Alabama I was able to recharge the bag in flight with the included AC wall adapter. It was without a doubt the ultimate convenient and practical traveling accessory.
PowerBag options and availability
The PowerBag – Backpack retails for $139, additional batteries start at $39 and for the giant 9000mAh it will cost $59. There is no other bag like this on the market and it is worth every cent, they are absolutely priced to sell. PoweBags are also available in four other backpack configurations, three messenger styles, and three briefcase designs. It’s important to note that the briefcase design features rolling office and wheeled briefcase options. There are so many options that everyone from an elementary school student up to a major CEO will find the perfect bag for there specific needs.
Future designs
PowerBags recently unveiled many new options in their 2012 line up at CES. Some of the new features are individual charging pockets for specific electrical devices as well as many other upgrades. In my opinion the bag is perfect as is, it will be amazing to see there other new unannounced features. Rumors in the world of techies is that their new line up is set to be as exciting as the announcement of the new iPad 3. I look forward to getting many years of heavy use out of my PowerBag, and I know you will enjoy using one as well. Please visit there website www.mypowerbag.com and get one today!