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PowerBag Business Class Pack
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Review: Powerbag Business Class Pack - We have 3 to give away!

By Adam Zeis on 16 Feb 2012 03:02 pm
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"The Powerbag Business Class Pack is an awesome backpack with built-in battery power. You can keep up to four devices charging on the go which is a tech geek's dream!"

In Short:
"Awesome bag that will keep you charged."
Should I Buy?
"I love it, but it's not right for everyone." 		BUY NOW

Right after the hectic days of Christmas die down and the New Year comes, tech bloggers, journalists, press and any other interested geeks start gathering their toys and packing a bag to head off to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). I have a stash of travel gear tucked away, so when I start packing for any conference it's never too much of a chore. My cables are tucked away in my Skooba Cable Stable, all my devices (phones, tablets, iPod) are in one drawer for easy access and my "conference bag" is pre-stocked with my Moleskine, some pens, business cards, power cords and my retractable USB cables so I never have to worry about forgetting them. Now typically I just toss my gear in my bag and I'm ready to roll -- but this year I had a slight change of plans before heading off to Sin City.

Not two days before leaving for CES I had a visit from UPS who dropped off a larger than normal box for me. Upon opening I saw a backpack inside. I immediately checked my Amazon history (I order a lot of stuff and sometimes forget what's coming) and noticed nothing unusual. As I pulled the contents, a quick note let me know that I was now the proud owner of a Powerbag and was welcome to stop by the booth at CES to pick up my battery. Intrigued and excited (and somewhat disappointed that I had no battery) I hopped over to mypowerbag.com to check out the details on my new toy bag. Keep reading for my expierence and real life use of the Powerbag Business Class Pack.

The Review

The Powerbag Business Class Pack looks pretty much like your standard backpack. Black all around, a few straps here and some pockets there. Once you pop a zipper open however, you'll notice that it's far from your average backpack. The specs/features on the Powerbag Business Class Pack are pretty sweet off the bat: a removable 6000mAh battery (which I would have to pick up), one-touch battery level indicator and power button, water-resistant AC adapter charging port and "checkpoint friendly" design. The bag itself measures 12"x8"x18" which is a pretty good size for carting around your goods. You can fit up to a 15" laptop in the dedicated compartment and there are various pockets throughout for fitting in tablets, phones, notebooks or whatever you need. 

PowerBag Business Class Pack

Inside you'll find a battery/power pack nestled in the bottom of the bag. It sits away in its own little space, so it's easy to ignore once you have your battery in. The battery itself gets charged via the included AC adapter. Plug it in to the nicely covered port on the bottom of the bag, and the front LEDs illuminate to let you know you've got some juice. I'm not totally sure on the actual time to fully charge the battery, but if you're like me you'll leave it plugged in overnight before you need it. 

PowerBag Business Class Pack

 

PowerBag Business Class Pack

Now the fun part. In the front pocket of the PowerBag you'll find what I like to call "tech central". Here is where all of your devices will sit and you'll have access to the cables from your bag's battery. There is a standard iPhone 30-pin cable, microUSB cable and miniUSB cable. You also have the option to plug in an additional USB cable straight to the battery box, giving you the ability to charge up to four devices at once. Awesome sauce. 

PowerBag Business Class Pack

Simply plug in your device(s), hit the power button on the bag and you're up and running. The front LED will tell you how much power you have so you never have to worry. Tech central has two lined pockets that nicely fit pretty much any small portable electronic device that you will be carting around.

The next pocket in the bag is what the power supply calls home and it also sports a zippered mesh pocket as well as a lined pocket for your tablet(s) or books/magazines. Here is where I ran an additional microUSB cable just because I wanted to. I don't have a use for it at the moment, but I like knowing it's there in case I need it. 

Next in line is a very cool pouch/pocket that the folks at PowerBag call a sunglass pocket, but I call a super awesome schwag pocket. Here is where I keep all my retractable USB cables, thumb drives and other little stuff I need quick access to.

The main compartment of the bag is your typical laptop bag fare - pen holders, a small pocket for business cards and two larger pockets for notebooks or other items. This compartment also houses the power cables for my Mac and any other items I don't have a better place for.

PowerBag Business Class Pack

Last but not least is the lay-flat laptop compartment. Lined for your protection, it fits up to a 15" laptop. The fun part of this compartment is that it lays totally flat from the rest of the bag so you don't have to remove your computer for airport security. Like a dummy I still take mine out, but if you're not as weird as I am you'll be fine just laying the entire bag on the belt. 

I never had an issue with killing the battery in my Powerbag, but depending on your needs you may want to opt for the larger 9000mAh battery. I used the bag to charge my spare batteries during the days on the show floor at CES and juice up my iPhone a time or two. If you have more devices you'll obviously kill the battery faster, but if you're selective about what you charge when, you should be able to manage with the 6000mAh battery.

The bag itself looks sweet too. Its plain black design matches nearly every other bag I've ever owned, and the padded shoulder straps never gave me an issue. There is also a nifty water bottle pocket on the side that came in more handy than I would have expected (yes, just for water). 

PowerBag Business Class Pack

Would I recommend a Powerbag? Of course. I think it's a great combo for any tech geek. You have cables and a battery nicely tucked away and ready when you need them. There are pockets galore for stashing all your devices while they charge. The bag itself is great - it's roomy enough for everyday gear, doesn't scream "I'm a Powerbag" and it's totally comfy to wear.  The lay-flat design is a great feature, but in most cases you can probably get by without it. 

Should you run out and buy one? Well that's up to you. I personally would have no problem spending the money on one of these bags (the retail price of the Powerbag Business Class Pack is $179.99) but that's certainly a lot of money for a backpack. You can most definitely get by with a standard bag (my old Targus bag was $49.99) and an inexpensive external battery like this one from New Trent, and you're still saving yourself $80. While it won't be as pretty or easy to charge multiple devices as a PowerBag, it still gets the job done.

So overall I say yes to the PowerBag. If you're on the go constantly (or even semi-constantly) and need to keep more than once device charged, this bag is awesome. Just remember to charge it at night (I've worked it into my routine) and you'll never have to worry about dead devices on the go.

Business Class Pack
by Powerbag

The Good

If you're on the go constantly and need to keep more than one device charged, there is none better than Powerbag. Its built in battery will let you charge nearly any device while you're out and about.

The Bad

The Powerbag is a laptop bag and external battery in a nice package. In most cases you can achieve the same while spending less if you just get creative.

Conclusion

I personally love my Powerbag, but it's not right for everyone. If you have the means and will put it to good use, then I say go for it. If you're more of a "weekender" or will only use it occasionally, I think you can definitely get by without it. 

PowerBag
More information and Purchase
of the Powerbag Business Class Pack

Contest: We have 3 Powerbag Backpacks to give away. To enter to win, just leave a single comment on this post. Contest ends this Sunday at midnight PST. The bag comes in red and please note it's a different model than the one reviewed here.

Topics: Powerbag General Accessories Contests

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Adam Zeis Adam Zeis 3025 (articles) 2790 (forum posts)
1034 comments

sammacs

More power is my bag, baby! :)

riksch

Would be nice to win :)

Yandar

That is one hell of a good bag, count me in.

ebaylusod

WOW, sounds cool! I would LOVE one!

alenex

Count me in, please!

kenlamontagne

Very cool. I would loVe to win one of these

paulak77

Wow, what a great thing to own! PICK ME!

mincanada

power me up scotty!!!!!!

9of13

i am invoking my power of "yoink" to get one of these.

Coach101

What a great giveaway!!!

vecharo

Wow! This is a killer contest! Thanks CB!

m0rf3us

WIN for the WIN of it

springbok

I wanna win this so bad! No more stealing 'lectricity from work! xD

Mike_Luchia

Looks GREAT! I"m definately in!

lanching123

oh i love red and this bag looks awesome! please pick me to win that!!!

dbow27

Definitely could use this everyday. Crossing my fingers.

djbtm

this would be the best for university having to charge my 9900 every hour sucks. Help me out!!

ACFP3

This would be perfect for School. My battery dies on My BlackBerry, Laptop & PlayBook way too quickly. Need all of it for work & School

Kryptonian1218

this would be nice if I got it for FREE from Crackberry!!!

mkye86

Colol bag I'll take one!

belzilla

Would certainly make my life easier while I travel :-)

chuckkdaduck

i would like one plz and thx!!!!!!!!

dawattsman

This bag looks great! could really see myself using this

otothez

I neeeeeeeeed this! Hook it up :)

kongee28

i carry by BB and PB everyday either to work or leisure. This could be just a great bag for me to charge them rather than searching for a socket, plugin the charger and stand there waiting. Wish to get this bag and write a review about it..

yaletownboy

$180 for a bag? Umm..I don't think so. Kind of a rip off....of course, it's PERFECT
when it's FREE
:-)
LOL

Kirbentech

Yeah, I would love the Powerbag. What's better than power in a bag?

yaletownboy

Oh.. and I forgot to mention....

That's one SWAG bag in itself!

gord888

Nice looking bag.... I don't technically need this... My pb and pearl combo get great battery life, but it sure would be great for my older laptop that kicks out unexpectedly.

OniPod

I would love to win one of these...

TaZ52083

Sweet would love to hook up my playbook with this bag.

Foberry

Could make use of one of these, getter done CB!! :)

SkaterGuy2k

This would be amazing to win, please crackberry gods shine your light on me :D

pvpjohn

I'm constantly on the go, so this would be so handy, in fact, I'm typing with my thumb while juggling my briefcase and maneuvering through the NYC Subway system! Phew, I need a Powerbag for my gadgets and my body!

Sirhill

This would be an awesome birthday gift, btw which is today. So pick me CB and make my birthday wished come true.

herculesinwyoming

That bag would be perfect for my job, i love the idear.

hybrid1976

I'd love to have me one! This would be great for me to carry all my USBs in along with my spare BBs and my Playbook. I may also consider putting my PSP in there. And the winner is...............ME!

mdardas

I want this please let me win it will work perfectly with my playbook

urnumber1

I retire from the Army soon that would would be great for when I start commuting an hour away for my masters degree and long motorcycle rides visiting friends and family.

ryan_the_kumquat

This looks awesome, definitely would enjoy one of these bad boys.

sirbill

Useful bag, love it. Count me in please. Thank you so much.

surfindunkey

this is perfect for me for my numerous business, to charge my two phones, laptopn and tablet...esp at the airport terminals without lookin like i set up shop near the power terminal...would soo love to win one..:)

re_matters

Looks better than my man-purse, I'm in!

spyeagle

Would love one of these bags! :)

esqlaw

Awesome, I'd like to win one

renownedanonymous

This would be nice to keep my playbook going all day!

Five50What

Put the Power in tha Bag!!!

technowiz95

I want one! I'm going to europe soon and this would be great to keep my laptop, PlayBook, and torch charged while I'm walking around :)

edthebudman

I could really use one right now my phone is about to die :(! just one question ours will come with a battery right? LoL

oliverlock

This is the best prize.

mel_quiroa

Would love to show this off @ work.

rdy78

wow this could be something i could use when i'm going on vacation gotta get me one of these

beasties

would love to win this!

FIVEFIFTYWHAT

gimme dat bag!
...please

Magex47

Count me in Crackberry!

uuglyindaface

Red? PowerBag
is that the only color of the 3 being given away??
I'll take it! ;)

550WHAT

POOOOWEEERBAAAAAAAAG! YES!!

nude ewok

i need this backpack... please!! i love it.

KRol

oh nice
I'd like to get plugged with this

jlyriq

yea i need this one!!!!!

Marvin-13

seems like that thing would be really heavy...

mmmtob

This looks like a great solution! It may wind up replacing my MobileEdge pack. Having a bag that zips flat for airport security is the only way to fly!

heplock

I do not really post much on the forums but this is why I love Crackberry.
It lets you in on the latest and greatest about Blackberry.
It also gives away these amazing prizes with the simplest way to join.

Hoping to win TinyController.

sashas

Pick this geek rught here (me)

JNM

I want to be picked!

tfrankson

Cool bag. I would love to have this.

diamanj

This would be perfect my zipper just broke on my bag, looking for a good back pack.

Zipper

Being away allot on business and Multiple devices such as my 9900, playbook, ipod, bluetooth as my core. this would be awesome. Thanks!

Deviant_Anchovy

Let's see how it works! Ready to get one! :D

mheisen

I would put it to work right away!

DrLouie

Would be awesome to win this and keep everything charged.

xtremez

this would be such a great great present!! :D

WordWriter

The Power Bag would be an awesome and useful prize.

johnarmy

this looks amaazing, family has four torches and two playbooks,(and four curves in the drawer) could use more powerups!

rsalinger

I would love one of these!!!!

sunny231

Double KILL , TRIPLE KILL ! GODLIKE!

Malachi.2.15

wow!!!! What an incredible contest!!! Crackberry rocks!!!

17.michal

sign me up!!! nice bag...

aboveaverage12

A bag like this is always welcome in my home

Denny_Crane

This would be great for travelling! Pick me!!

estroh

Looks awesome and would love to have one to keep everything charged in school.

dnottingham4

yes please i'd love one of these

Kerzhan

Talk about a great late Valentine's Day gift for the gal... this would keep me out of the doghouse for a while. I'm crossing my fingers to be one of the three recipients. :)

matt96

Crackberry ROCKS!! Powerbag!

ladymoney20

i have posted and hve yet to win. i WANT THIS BBBAAAGGG

aj.bb.fanatic

Wow! This is great! I'd love to have one! Please count me in!
Although I think my post would end up as #608, I hope I still have a crack at that classy PowerBag!!
Hope I win one!

yenyob

Perfect for my long camping trips!

flaminSaganaki

This would be AWESOME with my shiny new 64 gb playbook and 9900 bold. Thanks crackberry for this sweet opportunity to win one! I'd love to get one of these.

shampisang

oh how i wish i could have this. pretty please, CB???

wiggy1

SIgn me up too. I wouldn't mind carying one of these while on cross country flights.

Tules

Playbook + Laptop + BB = i would love this backpack! sweeet !

Shocktribe

I usually don't win these kind of contest but this bag is exactly what I'm looking for, this bag is the meaning of tech swag

aveonx

This bag is what Skyrim is to RPGs!

Maestra

This world traveler needs that PowerBag!

Moconator

Great bag for frequent travelers!

Yosaki

Awesome! i realy need this bag!!

nature boy

Wow, 3 to give away just means my chances of winning just tripled. What's 3 x 0?
Of course, I kid. I really want this bag. Please pick me.

grassman333

What an awesome idea! I need one!!!

niloch

Charge me up Mobile Nation!

00stryder

Would be a nice replacement for my current backpack!

junchoonk

I want this powerbag!!!!!!!!!

dalek

I sure could use this. Hope I get picked.

eclipse33

I just bought one for my wife. I would really like one for myself. So much convenience in one place.

Birddog2

this would be great to have so we could all fight over who gets to use it!

MHBlink8

This bag rules. It is so cool.

that_maynard

would love it, great review

mcheney7

Yes please! I was looking at the New Trent battery but this is so much better.

ibethebaby

Soooo is it worth this to have if I live in a humid climate? I don't want to risk getting shocked...

Mr.Conviviality

Looks aweseome... and even better on my back :)

theideaexplorer

i hope i win :D this is the best thing ever.

johnbrun

I'd love one of these! Please pull my name out of the hat!

radar-man

with battery life so suck these days, this will work well for me.

surrealsounds

Man, receiving one of these bags would be the greatest thing to happen in my tech-fueled LIFE. MacBook, Playbook, GNex AND my iPod all getting charged up??? YES. PLEASE.

Make it happen, Adam!!!

Reaver68

Would love to have one of these... would be great for traveling with my two kids and making sure there is enough juice to keep the entertainment going so I don't lose my mind!!!

My favorite color too... and would match my red supra ;)

Houshinto

This is the new uber geek bag! And thus being one, I must have it.

Preferably by means of free winnings.

Please and thank you.

HofstraJet

Very cool stuff. Would love to win one.

eliasso

I love this Powerbag!!! Great idea...

ktracho207

Niceeeee.... I want one....

vwracing

Wow bag looks great! Would put it to good use!

tstrike34

This is a much needed and value add to IT folks like myself always on the go. I hope that I am considered for one. Even to borrow and review.

Bigred71

I too, would like to have one of the three bags so my playbook will never run out of power while i'm watching Party at Felicity's Creek on Huluberry.

Thank you.

The end.

mackie1214

Who can ask for more..a backpack that hold a charge for you portable electronic...WOW

CDM76

Power me up Scotty !

WSavageHumphrey

Sick! Send one this way :)

gilmanhlee

Can I have this one? =)

tekware

Yes Please! Thanks CrackBerry!

bambuco

oh boy!! i'm transitioning from working in an office to the field so i could definitely use this powerpack! normally i'll keep my devices (9930, PB16gb, allerta inpulse, livescribe pen) charged throughout the day where i have a mini & micro USB chargers plugged in. but now going out to the field (construction superintendent) i'm definitely going to need a power source to help keep me all charged up. hope i win this pack so when i transition out i wont skip a beat.

allsportsfan

Nice! For sure you wouldn't have no juice for your electronic toys now with this.

Bold 9900
Playbook 1.0

vishalsheth83

sign me up for this! BB 9900, Galaxy Nexus, and PlayBook user...would love to make sure I never run out of battery!

jstarett

I want one! I wonder if it can be used at the airport?

masoaeb

Awesome!!! Hope to win, will be great!!! Hey CB: make my year!!

M_Redman

want want want want! tried to order one of these after i saw the initial review on the site but they don't ship to canada :(

ekafara

Yes please!!

Is that a zune hd cord I see in one of the pictures? Love them.

brixxlga

Bless your heart... it's okay to give me this...

salamat....

Stoneraven9

My two cents to get entered into the contest.
I am new to this forum, having snagged one the Telus specials at $149 (great price for a 32 gb tablet) My wife owns the Asus Transformer Prime, and we are usually comparing the two. Both are great pieces of gear, no matter what anyone says to slam the competition.

juststarting

thats a great idea i never have means to charge up looks like my next bag/toy

pjray

would love to give it a spin.

stresstabs

*Raises Hand! Give it to me =) lols

Locksheema

Oh yes please. Please may I have one!

info600

wow, sweet backpack....

Ferretling

Oh wow, this is wicked cool! I would admittedly love one!

mikeplus1

Man, I really could use one of these babies.

ArgoFX

Cool. I would like to win one :)

daysleeper24

Oooohhh! This product's so innovative! I love it! Pick me!!! :)

luckycajun

blackberry is winning me over,im telling everyone,hope i get it, to show them......BB RULEZ..

gquan14

Wow, I am impressed! I hope I am chosen. It would be a nice early birthday gift.

dhriak

i would like to congrats two lucky friends for winning this amazing piece of technology....

luis3590

This is perfect for a college student always on the go. Can I have one? :D

rjkolo

Yes please!!! Would love to have one of the 3 you are giving away!

jedi214

Can't Believe this thing exist, this bag can help a lot of people,especially me when I'm out there in the field which charger for my device is not accesible its like ur home away from home Awesome!

Brainy142

Can I please haz a powerbag. :)

auditman

Plz my turn to win some hardware.

nimustan

this would be nice to have for my PB

canuckcam

happy early birthday to meeeee.... ?

JCangoku

Can i win one please ?

brightberry

Kinda wonder that it wasn't called a "Powerpack" instead - but no worries, would love to pack around with it! Consider me plugged in for this. Much thanks!

rxdude

I could sure use one.

jonvoights_toe

Been thinking about buying a new backpack for business travel. This would be perfect.

rickkel

Who wouldn't want one of these???

jpcharlie247

That would be perfect to caring to and from on my chemo days.

BoldWorld

WOW please count me in would love to have

1CrackBerriz

Ooh! I LOVE red! Can I win this bag pretty pleaseee? ;;) (<-points for using a BBM emoticon shortcut? :p)

Air Force One

Would love to have one of these! Thanks for the opportunity to win one!

ddietrich279

this would be great for keeping my bold and playbook charged and at the ready!!!

doodie1231

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Umedon

This is an awesome product for the on the go person that needs to have enough power to get all their gadgets through the day and night in style. A must have!

npatrin

I want this bag....!!!!! Pick me...

rcheung135

Awesome :D I'd love one!

Ekilla

this is a cool product, id love to win one of these! i love you crackberry!

spNapoleon

would be awesome to have...please

bricenm

I want one. Pretty please with sprinkles on top.

guisof

let's try to win in case it is open worldwide :)

chautime

Nice! Thanks in advance!

longhetti

I will surely use this day by day

Yell0w

thank you sign me up!

Yell0w

thank you sign me up!

PiotrJot

Great great great!! Can I have one please?
:-))))

Babajide88

Love to style this one out in the UK

zegra

Whoop. Red, Gray, Black, Blue, Polka Dot. Color does not bother me here. I just want to win.

pencari

omg this will be so awesome for my tablet and bb. Please hook me up ith one id be so appreciative

LanEvo

Awesome, I want one!

rjw75

what a wicked bag. with 3 gadget hungry kids that will help feed there imaginations

Welsh Wizard

togardergrosse

Awesome bag! Surely useful for me.
But only 3 winners? :(
Well.. at least I tried :D

2tigers

Killer bag! I can carry all my devices with me.

Dartgod0

I need this..

Proud to be BB
Torch 9860
Playbook 16GB

If it makes sense it just makes sense

silvio000

Nice! i want a mega power bag

cl8baller

Sounds dope, I love it, I Want It, I just don't want to pay for it. *hint hint*

steinergstaad

I really would like to have one, please! :-)

houseane

If I were to win this, it would go directly to my girlfriend!

BBSwt

I could use this bag, Im in ;)

tstewarthaas14

wow great review, sounds awesome...

Coach T
First Timer With Blackberry, My Playbook rocks!!!!

Go Hard or Go Home

The_Adventist

This would make a nice gift for my Dad. Please CB.

bedlam_showoff

This bag is a great idea, i definitely need to get one of these i run street promotions for music and this would be a great accessory for my daily life

Micromind

Too many comments ... too many people for 3 bags ...... :-)
Love you BB!

Shadowyugi

I'd really really appreciate something like this. Much needed :-(

peregrineay

powerbag sounds awesome!

e-Andy

I want one! This could be really useful for me.

OlPeculier

Would be nice to put my 17" laptop in, but this is a great idea

cylaer

A Powerbag would be great! *-*

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