Since they're nice folks who like good music (Darcy, my PR contact at Tom Bihn listen to the mp3s of my band, Automat, and said we sound like a cross between PJ Harvey and old Sleater-Kinney, which is fantastic) I figured I'd review the other bag Tom Bihn sent me while all of their stuff is still on sale. That's right, Mac-lovers, get yourself a top-notch backpack, shoulder bag, brief case, and/or laptop case for 20% off if you act now. (Details at the end of this review.)

The ID Messenger Bag, like the Smart Alec Backpack, is a thoughtfully designed, well constructed product that would, I imagine, last you a long, long time. TB sent me the ID bag with a Size 4 Brain Cell inside of it. The Brain Cell is a $50 laptop sleeve with carry handles, a front snap pocket, and a rigid plastic skeleton wrapped with thick foam padding. Size 4 means it fits my 15" PowerBook to a 'T,' but other sizes are available for iBooks and PowerBooks of all shapes and sizes.

Note that as of this time, the ID bag will not accomodate the Brain Cell designed for the 14" iBook -- the 12" iBook/PowerBook and 15" models work fine, but I guess the square shape of the 14" causes some problems. I'm sure if you look at the Tom Bihn web site and email them, they'll help you find exactly what you need. They make a lot of bags.

What's great about the ID bag, like the Smart Alec, is that the laptop sleeve snaps into the bag for extra secure, yet suspended protection. This means your Mac wont slide around in the bag, so it stays extra-safe and eliminates unnecessary stress on your shoulder muscles by maintaining even weight distribution.

Whats also great about the ID is that it's very well made and smartly designed. About a million pockets provide ample room for your iPod, cell phone, PDA, notebooks, soy chips, and so on. There's a big zipper pocket on the front flap so you can access special items without opening the bag proper. There's a back magazine slot so you can do the same with papers and such from the back side. Open the main flap (by unbuckling the big, sturdy, cool-looking buckle) and you get another zipper pocket, a non-zipper pocket, and a semi-open compartment with a whole host of elasticized pouches for small items (pens, pencils, batteries, etc) and a larger open area for paperback books and the like.

Then there's the big zippered compartment where the Brain Cell attaches. There's still room in there for more documents, a t-shirt, or whatever else you might need. Tom Bihn claims the whole package holds 1100 cubic inches worth of stuff. This is a stylish bag with big-time geek chic appeal -- we tech folk just love those little compartments, don't we?

The webbed nylon shoulder strap is nice and wide and has a thickly padded section that slides around so you can place it directly between the strap and your tender shoulder. There's also a removable hip strap to help distribute the weight more evenly or secure the bag if you're one of those folks who bikes to work.

The ID bag will run you $90. The Brain Cell is another $50. Both come in a number of color combinations and are highly recommended. Again, there are cheaper bags out there, but you get what you pay for. Tom Bihn bags are made right here in the US of A, use tough YKK zippers and ballistic and cordura nylon, and come with a conditional lifetime guarantee (i.e. If there's a defect, they'll fix/replace it ... If you burn a hole in the bag because you put a lit pack of American Spirits in there, well that's just your fault, ain't it?

Tom Bihn's complete line of Mac-specific Backpacks, Messenger Bags, and Laptop Cases are available direct from their Web site. To commemorate the Mac's 20th Anniversary, all Tom Bihn products are available for 20% off until 2/4/04. Just use the the coupon code APPLE20 during checkout to receive the discount.

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Noah Kravitz is an educator, musician, and writer who calls Brooklyn, NY home and takes his iPod with him everyday on the commute to work at a school in Spanish Harlem. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Teaching and Learning with Technology and the drummer for Automat, who's soon to be rocking the bars and clubs of New York City once more.