My wife is a project coordinator for a nonprofit organization, and I bought this (with a Sony Viao 15.6" laptop inside) as her graduation present.
Her initial reaction was that it was pretty big - and that's true. It fits the 15.6" widescreen laptop just fine, and she can put the accessories and a binder or two in the additional pockets. It took her all of three days to get over the size (the shoulder strap works great for her, she rarely uses the rollers), and she rarely goes anywhere work-related without it.
In addition to that, her mom, her boss, and several co-workers want one, and asked where I found it.
It's very good quality leather, the print is distinct, but all the same color - it's just a cherry red with raised croc-leather patterning. I'd call it a semi-gloss, not quite a gloss - which is just perfect as far as sheen on leather goes. The stitching is strong, I don't see any pulls or popped seams anywhere after two whole months of constant use, and the only scuff she put on the bottom of the briefcase was easily mended. Leather doesn't appear to have taken any damage from it.
If I could give half a star, I may be tempted to go for 4.5, if only because the seldom-used wheel+handle system is not as solidly made as I would have wanted. Granted, for a flattened-oval-shaped telescoping handle, it's an acceptable balance between compactness and rigidity. The button for telescoping it out and back in again was a little sticky on this particular one, but not to any significant degree.
Overall, this is what I was looking for (as far as price, durability, quality, function, and style), and what my wife wanted (fashion, red croc leather, function, portability).
Husbands, this will probably be a killer gift for any mid-to-high-level business/executive/aspiring wife."..." Read more
- Daniel the Awesome Husband in Orange County, CA