alternative to $100 9" computer bag?

[mraroid]

Hi...
 
I need to fly with my Color Classic.  I am going to take it as carry on (long story).  I see apple branded padded computer bags that cost well over $100.
 
Has anyone found a source for a padded computer bag that would take small computers like mine?  I don't need a apple logo or anything like that.  Just a bag that is somewhat protective.
 
Anyone?

mraroid

 

[ArmorAlley]

Ordinarily, I would suggest that you wait and one will turn up for USD50 or so, but I suspect that you don't have time.

How asking someone to sew you a custom bag out of a hard cotton like calico, then line it with air-filled pouches and finally sit your CC into it? It will be neither sexy nor Apple-approved but it should do the job if done correctly. And it can be made reasonably quickly if you can find a seamstress (1) and she can get the material quickly.

Since cellists fly with their celli in hard cases beside them, having case built out of wood with suitable padding fitted inside might be an option for the future.

On a final note, you will surely have to buy an extra plane ticket for your CC (as cellists have to do) and since you are flying out of South America, would it not be cheaper just to buy a CC at your place of destination (if such a thing is possible)? It surely would be cheaper than the plane ticket.

(1) I don't know what a male seamstress is: seamster? tailor?

p.s. I wonder what the border officials will make of your CC when they ask you for its password...

 

[Byrd]

I'd just use whatever size bag you can for carry on and piles of bubble wrap. Only thing is that customs might want to have a look to take some tape and buy more bubble wrap in whatever country you are in!

 

[Cory5412]

In more recent years, there were transport bags for some sizes of iMacs and the classic Mac Pros. Nothing for the Color Classic of course because that particular shape is extremely uncommon, in the sense that literally only Apple ever built a machine with those particular proportions. (Compare to say the LC520-580 where some PC makers were also building 14-inch color AIOs with enough space for a CD drive, so there's a little more likelihood there that there's a carrying case for those machines.)

Though, by the time the CC existed, Apple also sold a PowerBook for not a lot more money and if you needed "frequent air travel" portability Apple's solution was definitely a laptop, not a bag for a desktop computer.

The CC is portable as in "you can take it to the library" -- not airplane portable, really.

If there was literally any way you could avoid flying with a CC, I'd do that. Even to the point of buying or borrowing a vintage Mac at your destination and just, IDK, boot from an external disk or MO/zip/EZ135/Bernoulli/whatever configured how you like it.

My next best bet would be to check it in your luggage, just start putting clothes in a bag, then put it in, then continue around it. The trouble with that is that checked luggage is basically to be presumed it'll be handled roughly.

And, a CC on its own may be bigger than the carry-on bag size on most airlines. If not, you could probably very gingerly transport it around in basically the biggest generic padded tote or backpack you can find.

Good luck!

 

[Scott Baret]

I would be very concerned about any CC in flight simply because they are so brittle. The other compacts are a little sturdier, but the CC seems to have a weaker plastic (plus its shape is more conducive to breakage than, say, an SE).

 

[Themk]

It's risky enough traveling with a compact, and with you traveling internationally... yikes!

The best way might be a hard-sided container, with *lots* of padding inside for your CC. Still, whatever you do is going to be quite bulky, and that's a pretty big thing to have to worry about. Carry-on is probably the only way, but that means you will have to lug it around everywhere. What will you need a vintage mac for in your destination country? I think in this case it might be better to leave it home, and, if you absolutely need one wherever you are going, trying to get one while there. If you're planning on doing a tech demo in the destination country, perhaps someone (here maybe!) has one that they would let you borrow?

BTW: I don't think customs would be an issue.

P.S. ArmorAlley, are you a cellist?

 

[ArmorAlley]

@themk: I am not, but my wife and younger daughter are. The former had told me of her travels with a cello and I'd be afraid to take such a breakable thing onto a plane. Since I met her, I have noticed the odd cello occupying seats in aircraft.

I was joking about customs, btw.

I once brought an Irish drum (called a bodhrán) to Japan and the customs official was most interested in it. I took it out for him, he inspected it and we chatted for what seemed an age. I was bringing it to a taiko (1) drummer and I suspect that he may have been one. It is just as well that I had enough Japanese to converse with him.

(1) Anyone who has not seen taiko drums being played are missing out on a performance. It is the nearest that I have seen music as sport. You need to be fit to be a taiko drummer. I saw the Kodo drummers on the side of a hill on Sadogashima.

 

[mraroid]

Thanks everyone for the many suggestions.  I see a SE Mac bag for slae on ebay now and then.  Will this SE bag fit my Color Classic?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Apple-Macintosh-SE-Padded-Travel-Case-c-1983-PN-825-0893-A-Unused/112504063201?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

If I had one, I can get a second one made here in Ecuador for very little money.  But I need an example to show the sewing lady.  The cost to ship a bag like this to ecuador is prohibitive, not to mention the import duty fee.  I wish I knew more about how it was made so I could get someone local to make one for me.  I have a sewing woman I like, but she needs more then pictures. 

ArmorAlley...  I worked a sound board for about 10 years in a working class irish pub many years ago in my youth.  I know the bodhrán well.  I did sound for Kevin Burke and Michael O'domhnaill now and then.  Kevin can sure play the fiddle....

Sorry for the off topic post....  Back to my color classic...

mraroid

 

 

[ArmorAlley]

Hi mraroid,

 I would think that the pictures in the eBay auction are exactly what you need. You have the measurements of your Colour Classic. These will dictate the measurements of the bag. It has to be strong enough to carry 10Kg (or however heavy it is). I reckon that if you bring her print-outs of the pictures and the CC (along with its measurements), she'll know what to do. She just mightn't have the materials on-hand though.

 Indeed, if she does a good enough job, there may further commissions from members on this site. Please do publish pictures of the finished product.

aa

 

[jimjimx]

If you have the time, go to a sporting good store and see if they have any kind of LARGE backpack, duffle bag or etc, that will fit it. And it's always hit & miss at the thrift stores, but that's where I bought a compact Mac in it's bag, for $17.

 

[ArmorAlley]

This bag is going for €1.50 in Germany at the moment. I can try and bid for it, if you like.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Transporttasche-fur-Wurfelmac-Apple-Macintosh-Plus-Classic-Colour-Classic-u-a-/232447004286?hash=item361eebce7e:g:ZAkAAOSwPHNZkLCR

 

[mraroid]

Armor....

Thank you for your post!!! 

I have a basic question...  Is a Mac Plus larger then a Mac SE? If so, then i am interested in this bag.  I have a guy in the USA who imports things to ecuador.  He charges me a lot of $$$, but it is less money then DHL, FedeX and the customs duty I have to pay.

I can find the Mac SE bags in the USA for around $50 and low cost postage to my guy in the USA.  It will cost the black bag you found a little over $50 to ship to the USA (I think) and what ever cost the bag is. It is a little expensive, but it is what I need.

The post office is very broken here in ecuador.  9 out of 10 packages never make it. So I have had to use DHL and FedEx to import things.  I recently imported about 6 capacitors, 4 resistors and about 6 diodes.  FedeX charges me $160 and the import duty was $52.50.  

But if I can buy this black bag for say $50 US or less, play shipping to the USA, my guy will import it for me for less than the shipping cost od FedX and DHL

Can you check with the seller and see what the least expensive shipping price would be to the USA?

Thank so much!!

My sewing person was unable to build a bag from all the photos I showed her.  So I think I need to buy a real bag that would fit my Color Classic.

Keep me updated.  I am very interested.

Thanks so much!!!

mraroid

 

[ArmorAlley]

Hi mraroid,

 As far as I know, the Mac Plus and SE have the exact same dimensions. I must actually stand them side-by-side though. Even the CC is not much different in size.

BTW, the seller ships abroad via DHL International and shipping to Ecuador would set you back €46. Shipping to me would cost €16 and then I would have to send it onto you.

Do let me know what maximum bid I should put onto it on your behalf (or you can bid yourself, if you wish).

 My mother used to sew. I'll ask her about making a bag.

all the best,

aa

 

[mraroid]

Armor....

I just recieved a $5.00 part sent to me via DHL.  The ecuador customs duty based on a value of the $5.00 was $74.48.  I love that bag. but it is just to expensive for me. 

One day I will travel back to the USA and then I can pick something up and put it in my sutecase.  That way, it comes in for free.

I love that black Color Classic Bag, but the import duty is killing me. 

Thanks

mraroid

 

[ArmorAlley]

The customs in Ecuador is even worse than in Switzerland. We have to pay once the total value (including postage) exceeds CHF63.- and that includes a charge for the honour of handling it.