A 15.6″ laptop backpack with removable organizer case

If you work in IT, you probably pack your laptop and other accessories with you when you go or travel from place to place. There’s no shortage of backpacks for IT professionals, and each offers different features.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Our StarTech 15.6″ Laptop Backpack (NTBKBAG156) showcases a fairly sturdy backpack for 15.6″ and smaller laptops and even comes with a detachable accessory pouch. Read on for our full review!

specifications

The StarTech 15.6-inch Laptop Backpack with Detachable Accessory Organizer Bag (NTBKBAG156) we tested has the following features and specifications:

• 15.6 INCH LAPTOP BACKPACK: Laptop bag with padded/raised notebook/tablet compartments to protect against falls; Notebook pocket with Velcro closure and tablet pocket with zipper to secure devices; Bag/case made from 1680D ballistic nylon and heavy duty steel zippers
• REMOVABLE ACCESSORY CASES: Storage in a separate bottom compartment of the IT backpack, conveniently accessible from the side pocket; Keep your chargers, cables, graphics cards, mice, memory cards, tools and other items organized; Case dimensions 10.5″x5.25″x3″
• THOUGHTFUL DESIGN: IT accessory case with adjustable dividers with Velcro and tension strap for small devices/cables; Main compartment can be expanded when bag is removed; Work laptop backpack with bottle holder, multiple storage compartments and upright design
• ERGONOMIC & COMFORTABLE: The computer bag is contoured to protect the user’s back and shoulders, with ergonomic and breathable padding that helps relieve pressure and strain; Comfortable no matter how it is worn | Adjustable shoulder straps | Soft padded handle
• FOR OFFICE, COMMUTING & TRAVEL: Ideal for trips to the airport or office; Professional tech commuter backpack with trolley sleeve that easily attaches to rolling luggage; The business backpack is checkpoint friendly and meets most airline and TSA carry-on requirements
• MATERIAL: Ballistic Nylon
• DIMENSIONS: 16.7 x 12.8 x 8″ (42.5 x 32.4 x 20.3 cm)
• DIMENSIONS OF TRAVEL ACCESSORY BAG: 27 x 13 x 8 cm (10.5 x 5.25 x 3 in)
• WEIGHT: 1.5kg

what is included

• 15.6″ notebook backpack
• Cable and accessory pocket

draft

The StarTech 15.6 Inch Laptop Backpack with Detachable Accessory Bag (NTBKBAG156) looks very similar to many other backpacks on the market. It is black and made of ballistic nylon. The zippers are firmly sewn. The zip pullers are made of stainless steel and each has a yellow dot at the end. Overall, the backpack feels well made and sturdy and shows no real signs of wear after a few months of daily use.

The backpack itself is just over 12 3/4 inches wide, just under 16 3/4 inches high and about 8 inches deep. The back of the backpack is nicely padded where it rests against your back, with most of it covered in breathable mesh. In the center of the back of the pack is a thin, flat strap that slips over the handle of a rolling suitcase when traveling. The straps are slightly padded but not as strong. Again, the part that rests against your body is also covered in mesh to ensure breathability, while the rest is made of the same nylon as the rest of the backpack. There is a small zippered pocket along the right strap.

There are also many compartments and pockets. The front zippered pocket opens and has a vertical zippered mesh pocket and two bungie straps sewn into three sections for cords or other items. Above that is a much smaller velvet-lined pocket that barely fits a mid-sized smartphone. A rubber StarTech.com emblem is sewn onto the front of this small pouch.

As for the main compartment, it starts and ends about halfway down each side of the pack. The main compartment is quite large and has a small zip pocket on the front, a sleeve pocket behind, a mesh pocket behind and a small clip. The bottom of the main compartment defaults to sitting halfway down the pack to make room for the travel accessory pouch underneath. The bottom can be detached at the sides and front and laid flat to create more space, but you will need to remove the pouch to do this.

There is a fairly hefty handle on the top of the backpack behind the main compartment zipper. It’s quite thick and the top part is also a rubber-like material for extra strength. The full 15.6″ laptop compartment is located behind the handle. The zipper here runs from the bottom of both sides of the backpack, providing ample access. There is a laptop compartment on the back of the backpack, a small zippered pocket on the front of the compartment, and finally more space between the two for other items. However, once you’ve got a laptop and tablet or similar stuffed into the zip pocket here, there probably won’t be much room for anything else.

There is a water bottle pocket on the left side, while there is a small zippered access flap on the bottom right side of the pack for the included travel accessory pouch. The bag has a handle on one side that allows you to pull it out from the lower part of the backpack. It is snug fitting though and it would have been nicer if the access flap was a bit larger. The accessory case itself is 10 1/2 inches long, 5 1/4 inches wide and approximately 3 inches high. A zipper runs along the upper edge. Opening it up reveals a main pocket with a couple of small dividers and a bungee grid on top for cords and the like. While it offers plenty of space, not much gets in the way of organization and most of your accessories will be stacked inside instead of being neatly organized.

Overall, the StarTech 15.6-inch laptop backpack has a pretty solid construction, but some of the pockets are quite small and the included organizer leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to neatly organizing your computer accessories. While it’s adequate, the inside of the straps could also use a little more padding for more comfort if you’re carrying the pack for a long time.

Protection

The StarTech 15.6 Inch Laptop Backpack offers adequate protection for your laptop as the laptop sleeve is placed directly on your back. Here it is nicely padded on one side, on the other side there is plenty of space with the main compartment to protect your laptop. The only thing missing here is any kind of waterproofing or even sealed zippers. So if the rain catches you by surprise, you should cover the backpack to prevent moisture from getting into the bag.

price/value

With a MSRP of $163.99, the StarTech 15.6″ Laptop Backpack with Detachable Accessory Organizer Sleeve is a bit pricey. While it has decent construction, a generous accessory organizer, and is travel/flight friendly, there are probably better options in this price range.

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Wrap up

The StarTech 15.6 inch laptop backpack offers great storage and an included accessory pouch for your IT cables, mice and other tools you might need. It’s a little pricey though, despite being well constructed and having stood the test of our day-to-day use over the past few months.

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