by Kevin O'Brien
The Alienware Deluxe Backpack is designed for notebook gamers who need to haul around everything (including the kitchen sink) when they travel. This bag is targeted directly at the demanding gamer, and has some pretty obvious features that you just don't find in standard backpacks. This bag is also one of the largest notebook bags we have had in for review, and we are sure you will enjoy what we manage to haul around on a daily basis inside this bag.
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Features
- Made from1680D ballistic nylon material
- Business card holder
- Removable cellphone case
- Exterior Dimensions 20'' x 16'' x 15''
- Device Compatibility 1.4'' x 18.75'' x 13.5''
- Weight: 3lbs 8.1oz
- Price: $99.99 MSRP
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Design and Build Quality
Much like the Alienware gaming notebooks, this gamer backpack is far from being subtle and certainly won't easily blend into a crowd. The bag features the same design details in the shaping of the foam and nylon on the front that you would find on an Alienware notebook or desktop. The only design element that seems "restrained" is the color of the bag; which is a black and dark grey color scheme. The size of the bag itself is another hint that this backpack means business, towering over anything else we have reviewed to date.
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At first I thought the size would have let you carry a smaller external LCD folded up inside the bag, but then realized it had other intentions in mind. Oddly enough, with a laptop, mouse, keyboard, AC adapter, hot sauce, and wallet in the case, there was still enough room to hold two 12-packs of soda without even putting tension on the zipper seams. The perfect fit was uncanny, looking as if the bag was designed around this specific purpose. With my two pack per day habit, this bag has proved to be invaluable at work and on the go.
Build quality is well above average, and easily copes with very heavy loads. With all of the items listed above stuffed inside the bag, the straps felt well within their means without being stressed. The vital stiching points where the shoulder straps merged with the main fabric of the bag were excellent, with no worries in my mind about the case falling apart. The main zippers were oversized, and worked freely without binding at any point. At times one of the interior material labels would catch in the zipper, but a pair of scissors would make quick work of that.
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Most of the plastic clasps were above average in quality, leaving only one that felt loose. This was the small brace that connected the two shoulder straps at chest level, which if forcefully pulled apart with your hands did feel like it was going to release. Under normal conditions this shouldn't present a problem, and even if it did, would present little danger, if any, to your equipment. Jumping around with probably 40lbs to 50lbs of weight in the bag didn't make it budge; only yanking with my arms directly onto the strap.
Nooks and Crannies
One thing I like about this bag is the sheer number of pockets found inside and out. The outside of the backpack has four zippered pockets and two elastic holders along the perimeter. On the front there is one large zippered section with a headphone gasket at the top, as well as a large mesh storage section directly behind it. I found the mesh section to be perfect for carrying a keyboard which was too tall for the interior of the bag.
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Moving to the inside of the bag, you will notice the business card holder immediately upon opening the large protective flap. In the event you misplace this bag (it should never leave your back anyways), this may be helpful to someone trying to return the bag to you (may be empty though). Inside the main compartment is a large padded section for your notebook, pockets for 12 optical discs, one zippered mesh pocket, and one zippered enclosed pocket for change or other small items. With my work-provided Dell D630 inside the padded enclosure, I was still able to fit two cases of soda comfortably inside the bag without straining the zippers. If your normal supplies can fit inside an area that size or smaller this bag is perfect for your needs.
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Comfort
Looks can be deceiving and the thinly padded shoulder straps might be intimidating at first. I was weary the first time I put this backpack on with a 40lb to 50lb load, but the straps spread out the weight evenly on my shoulders without any high pressure points. I own others bags with heavily padded but thinner straps and those were more uncomfortable than the straps found on this Alienware bag. When properly fitted with all the securing straps in place, I think the only part of your body that might be sore after a long day are your feet and lower back.
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Conclusion
The Alienware Deluxe Backpack is a great choice for avid notebook users that need to haul a ton of stuff around with them. Build quality and durability were excellent with only a few minor quirks. To date this is the largest bag we have reviewed and capable of holding much more junk than most people would want to carry on a daily basis. If you have the legs and back for a case of this size, I don't see any reason to not give it two thumbs up.
Pros
- Huge
- Can carry all the components to operate and hydrate a small LAN party
- Well built
Cons
- One of the plastic clasps felt loose
- First review backpack to strain my lower back
Pricing and Availability
The Alienware Deluxe Backpack is priced at $99.99 and is available from the Mobile Edge website.
Alienware Deluxe Backpack Review
On order: Sager NP8690 i7 720QM, 500gb hdd, gtx280m, 4gb ram 
Fall back: Acer 4920g T7500, 160gb hdd, 2gb ram, hd2400xt 
Sold: Asus a8jn T5500, 80gb hdd, 1gb ram, go7300 
