Solo Sullivan 15.6 Inch Hybrid Laptop Briefcase Messenger

This is a three way combination bag which can be either a messenger bag, a soft sided brief case or a laptop / tablet / phone / accessories carrying case. My use combines all three of these. I carry a laptop, a tablet, a phone, a text book (or two) as well as writing materials and some miscellany. The case has one full size pocket on the rear of the case which remains open. The central area has room for a laptop and a tablet in two compartments. Both of these close with a Velcro fastened tab common to both. There is another compartment which is full size. That’s where my textbooks go. The front of he case has two pockets half the size of the interior full size pockets each of which has itself a pocket useful for pens or pencils. These are useful for things like a mouse and your phone. All but the open rear pocket are covered by a magnetically fastened flap. The flap takes no fiddling to mate its magnet with the attractor, but doesn’t form a very secure seal. The Velcro tab on the inside which secures your tablet and laptop is quite strong. As long as you have the Velcro in place, your electronics, if stored in the designated areas, will be safe from falling out. The case is well padded which also adds safety to what may be delicate contents. The material and assembly are up to snuff. The only issue I have with the case’s design is that the magnetic closing flap does not to to the ends of the case opening. So if you are walking with this is the rain, water can easily get into the case ruining its contents. The maker doesn’t make pose any waterproof claims, but other competitive cases are weather sealed better. Keep that in mind if you live in a rainy area. Other than that minor issue, this is a quite useful carrying bag and one which is my daily carry now.

Looks very nice and matches business casual work attire. Fits a 15 in MBP with an additional carrier around the MBP. One downside is that the securing mechanism for the bag is effectively just closing the handles at the top.

There are two models of this SOLO briefcase available – the EXE136-4 and the EXE335-3. I am reviewing the lower-priced model – the EXE136-4. My daily workload requires that I haul a 15 in. laptop computer (plus power cords) and two 1 and 1/2 inch thick binders (approx. 25 pages each). This seemed to be a bit much for the Solo carrying case. The primary issue I ran into was that the top flap of the shoulder bag is secured with two round, nickel-sized magnets. I’m not crazy about the magnets for security purposes or around computing equipment. At least with a zipper or a snap of some sort, there’s the chance to hear if someone’s getting into your stuff. With magnets…not so much. There is, however, a Velcro strip attached to the inside that attaches to the middle divider. This will help secure your laptop and table when in transit. Make sure, however, to keep your laptop in the last compartment, away from the magnets. I see in the description that there is a “Front zip-down organizer section.” I can’t find a zipper anywhere on the EXE136-4 – just the magnets and pouches. This feature is only available on the upgraded model (EXE335-3). The EXE136-4 would be more appealing if the top flap was secured with a snap, buckle, or zipper. I found that if I fill the bag to capacity, the magnets aren’t strong enough to keep it shut. As a few other reviewers have mentioned, you have to snap the handles together to further “secure” the top flap. You essentially have six compartments to store items. A large padded section in the back (for a laptop); a tablet-sized pouch sewn on to the front of that; a middle compartment for paperwork; two front pockets for a phone, pens, a paperback book, or cables; and a long pocket on the back of the briefcase for a magazine or two. The body of the briefcase is composed of “cotton vinyl”. It’s very well put together – strong material and secure stitching. With the cotton vinyl, however, I felt like I was carrying around a denim bag with black vinyl accents on the top flap and bottom. The material repels water fairly well, so if you get caught in a drizzle, you’ll do okay; if it’s a downpour, the outside of the bag may get a bit mottled. The interior is lined with a sheer vinyl in order to protect your electronics or paperwork from getting wet. If you’re looking for a light briefcase for carrying a small laptop and/or table, a few folders, this is a relatively inexpensive model to consider. But as I mentioned before, try and keep your laptop or tablet away from the magnets. I've run into issues in the past with magnets distorting laptop and tablet screens. It was an expensive lesson -- and one I try not to repeat.

I bought this bag for work but the color on this bag went onto two of my very expensive pants. The dye smeared on the pants. No matter what I do I can not get that out. I have tried all kind of solutions but nothing works. Needless to say that this bag for that reason did not fit my requirements. Now I am out two pants and bag and got to look for new ones. Very disappointed.

This bag gives off a chemical order and you can actually wipe with cloth and black will come off of bag.I had this bag for 6 months and it still smells. I tried scent removers and VOC blockers nothing works. Probably throw it away.