Every happy laptop deserves a case, a case to protect the laptop and to serve the needs of the laptops owner. Sadly, that's not a lot of what we get. You know, I used to be a huge Targus fan until I received a Brenthaven case. In fact, I got two, the Metro and the Fusion MB. This review, however, is about the former. The Metro and Targus' classic laptop bag are about the same in size and dimension, but that is, by far, the limit of their similarity. The Targus bag, and I hate to diss it so after such a long and devoted service, is little more than a handle for the laptop. So, when I slip my US$1,600 Toshiba laptop into the soft and armor-like Metro I feel like I'm treating my investment well. So, that's it, right? Not at all. There's quite a bit more to the Metro.

Availability: Now     Price: US $69.95     Website: Brenthaven.com
When you get two cases, you typically go for the large bag first. I sure did. I was one with the Fusion for two straight weeks. I packed all of its pockets with gear, admired its capacity, and even lugged two entire laptops around in it for two days. Then I started getting tired, so I retired the Fusion and pulled out the Metro. In a completely unexpected surprise, I was... er... surprised. Compared to its larger brother, the Metro seemed to be less capable. I was wrong, at least to a degree. While the Metro will never approach the overall capacity of the Fusion, its quite roomy for a slimline case. The front gadget pocket, for instance, actually runs from top to the bottom and expands to accomodate larger items.

My iPod and phone go on my belt, so I don't need to fit those, but I always have a Palm or Pocket PC, some handset I'm testing, various wireless cards, cables, pens, USB memory sticks, and sundry other gadgetinos to lug about, and they all fit in the pocket. There are smartly placed slots and straps to put things in or clip things on. Behind the main pocket is another pocket, which has even more slots and is good for foldable papers and PCMCIA cards. It could, however, be looser or have elastic sides to easier access. Finally, there is another pocket on the back which is good for flat papers, large envelopes, magazines or just to slip your power supply.

The core of the case, of course, is the slot for the laptop itself. This is not one of those zip-around-and-open-like-a-briefcase cases. In the Metro, the laptop slides into the top like a floppy into a drive. Once inside, your laptop is swathed (its the only word that fits) in a safety cocoon with padding in all directions. There are cleverly shaped pads along the side which compress as you slide the laptop in and hold it still without strapping or velcroing it into submission. Finally, there are two padded flaps at the top which are pushed against the laptop when you zip the case closed. All in all, its very womb-ish. Squeezing the case when there is a laptop present or not illustrates the strength of the Metro. Brenthaven has apparently commisioned drop tests with an outside lab and has determined that their cases are quite protective.

One of the most significant benefits, however, comes not from a case feature, but something it doesn't have: weight. Despite all of its protective features, water and tear resistant fabric, padded and shell inserts, buckles, zippers, and other acoutrements, the Metro is a light case. Sure, stick an old 9 lbs. 14" behemoth into it and it will bear you down, but the newer modern laptops which are under 5 lbs. are easy to carry. The one thing that bothers me, and which is why it gets 4 of 5, is the shoulder pad. Its not the range of the strap or the buckles or the padding itself. Its the material Brenthaven uses as a non-slip material. The aim of the patch is to create a good connection between the shoulder and the pad, so it doesn't slide off. The material Brenthaven uses does not do this, which causes me to keep resetting the straps position or holding the bag in a way that doesn't let it slip.

Sure, its not a huge deal, but its a major element to life on the go. When you're cruising through the airport with laptop on your shoulder, rolly bag in your other hand, and suit bag over your arm, you can't reach up and adjust the strap without stopping. Do that a few hundred times and you'll get tired of it fast. So, I love the case and I'm in love with Brenthaven over their cases. I am not, however, in love with the strap. Suede is my preferred material. It may not breathe, but it sticks as well as any non-adhesive material can. Its that or duct tape.