Files, Books, and Other Documents
Even though the ScanFast Backpack is not necessarily marketed toward the corporate end of the market, it contains a section specifically for your various paperwork and files, not unlike an attaché case or a briefcase. This might be a good place to stash your travel documents, for example. Realistically, you can put whatever you want in here, but it was designed for files.
A Musical Surprise on the Go
The Mobile Edge Backpack tackles the “fun” side of traveling too. In addition to the space for your business-minded file folders, there is also a zippered section near the top for your multimedia enjoyment. There is a small rubber pass-through where you can thread the cord to your headphones. It’s up to you if you want to use this in tandem with your music phone or with a regular MP3 player, but the option is there if you want it.
Flying through Airport Security Checkpoints
The Mobile Edge ScanFast Backpack’s main appeal, of course, is that it has been designed to expedite the process of getting through airport security. You do not need to remove your notebook from the backpack when you go through the X-ray scanner, just as with the similarly TSA-compliant Targus Zip-Thru Corporate Traveler and higher end Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer. The laptop is contained in a separate section and you open up the bag like giant book, laying it down flat on the conveyor belt.
Going back to the Targus for a sec, which is closer in price point to the Mobile Edge, there is one critical difference between it and the Targus Corporate Traveler. You see, with the Targus bag, the laptop section is completely sealed off. If you didn’t know any better, you wouldn’t even know that there is a laptop in there at all. With the Mobile Edge bag, on the other hand, the laptop compartment is actually exposed to the elements.
There is a semi-translucent pouch for your notebook, which is then held in place by a stretchy Velcro strap. Having the entirety of this strap and the top edge of the pouch across the top of your laptop, you aren’t really giving the security personnel an “unobstructed” view. That said, Mobile Edge does say that this adheres to TSA guidelines. I prefer the “hidden” configuration of the Targus bag over the “exposed” configuration of the Mobile Edge, myself.
That’s my 14.1-inch widescreen Dell notebook pictured above. As you can see, there is quite a bit of room left. So, unless you have a 17-incher, you’re going to have some wasted space here.