Build and Design
The first indicator of a bag or suitcases quality is the zippers; the SLAPPA Jedi Bottomless Pit Trolley ($125.99) earns good marks off the bat. The zippers are quiet, smooth, easy to move, and feel like they can withstand some abuse.
The Trolley is noticeably wider than a standard roller suitcase but no taller. It has a strong support structure and provides ample protection to items inside.
The black exterior has a relatively simplistic look, hardly different than most suitcases. The outside is covered in ballistic nylon which is exceedingly durable, abrasion and water resistant. It's also lightweight. I prefer this material over any other for the outside of a suitcase or bag due to these qualities.
The telescoping aluminum handle is sturdy and easy to pull in and out. This is one of the better quality handles I've seen. The button to telescope the handle has a reassuring feel. There are large straps on top of the Trolley which are easy to hold and feel strong.
The wheels on the bottom are actually inline roller skate wheels. They have an exceptionally smooth operation; pulling the bag is effortless. The black plastic housing around the wheels is of reasonable thickness and should withstand punishment for a long time.
The gray lining on the inside compartments is smooth and pulled taut -- it feels like it won't rip easily. Most of the stitching on the Trolley is recessed and therefore protected from abrasion. I'm overall impressed with the quality of the bag's construction.
Storage Compartments
The Trolley has two inner sections; a large lower section and a slimmer top section. The bottom section is large enough to fit about five days' worth of clothes and a pair of shoes. The upper section is slimmer and good for storing items that might need to be accessed quickly. I'm pleased to report that it will fit all modern 17.3-inch notebooks including gaming notebooks like the Alienware M17x without issue.
The Trolley has two thin exterior pockets on either side; they're good for storing an iPod and cell phone but not anything more than three quarters of an inch high at most.
Our review notebook came with the Jedi Keyboard Sleeve which also has a ballistic nylon exterior. It fits underneath the straps on the outside of the Trolley. It stayed secure during my travels though I would not necessarily check this bag with the keyboard sleeve in the straps; it could come lose.
As a frequent traveler, I took the Trolley on several cross-country trips through various airports. The bag held up well and overall met my expectations; I was able to fit five days of clothing as advertised plus my laptop in the upper compartment. One thing I did miss from my traditional suitcase is a smaller exterior compartment for bulkier items like a toiletry bag; fishing that out of the larger two compartments at the security line involves a bit of fishing.
As I noted earlier this bag is wider than a conventional roller bag so getting it in an overhead compartment on smaller airplanes is out of the question. I had no problem getting it into the overhead compartment on an Airbus A320. I wouldn't hesitate to check this bag as it is sturdy and resists compression well; I suggest not leaving a notebook in a checked bag however, regardless of how well reinforced or cushioned it is.
Walking through Chicago's O'Hare International Airport from terminal to terminal, I appreciated the smooth inline skate wheels and sturdy aluminum handle. The straps on the top of the Trolley were easy to hold; I like how they are spaced apart and not connected in the middle; this setup distributes the load better. At no point during my usage did I feel this bag was anything less than top quality.
The Trolley is advertised as a bag that can fit a LAN gaming rig or a gaming console. It certainly can fit any modern gaming console with ease but a desktop is another story; perhaps a micro ATX or mini ATX case, but nothing larger. It's ideal for carrying a large 17.3-inch gaming notebook and all its accessories, including an external keyboard thanks to the optional Jedi keyboard case.
Conclusion
The Slappa Jedi Bottomless Pit Trolley is recommendable as a dual-use laptop and travel bag. It fits all modern 17.3-inch gaming notebooks with ease and all the associated accessories (save for an external monitor, perhaps). For travelers it fits five days' worth of clothes; just be careful with overhead compartments, as it's a tight squeeze. The Trolley has a high quality ballistic nylon exterior that is durable and water resistant. The high quality theme carries to the smooth inline roller skate wheels and aluminum handle. Overall it's easy to recommend the Trolley, especially given the sub-$130 price point.
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