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Customer Reviews:
Mountainsmith at its finest.
I was looking for a bag for more than my laptop that I could trust while traveling. When I came across the Mountainsmith Network, I knew that I had a winner. I already love Mountainsmith products and have come to rely on them in the backcountry. The previously posted reviews only confirmed for me that I needed this bag. Here are some of the highlights:

1. The laptop sleeve (which is less like a sleeve and more like a pocket) is large enough to hold my old Toshiba notebook. It is also surrounded by closed-cell foam padding on both the exterior side and the center divider of the bag. The foam adds even more protection for my laptop without taking up a lot of space in the bag.

2. The two main sections of this bag are spacious! The laptop side is about 3″ and the other side is just a little less. The non-laptop side also has a zippered pocket which is 5.5″ x 9.5″.

3. The front compartment (the panel that has the Mountainsmith logo on it) unzips to reveal tons of pockets (from pens to calculators). There is a key hook. There is a fleece-lined pouch for glasses hanging from the exterior panel as well as a mesh zippered pouch that velcros to hold glasses in the pouch beneath.

4. On the exterior of the bag, there is a drink pouch on one side which isn’t large enough to hold a Nalgene 1L bottle, but is more the size of a 20oz. water bottle. On the other end, there is a velcroed pouch that could hold a cell phone or a couple of granola bars.

5. As stated below, the interior of this bag is a bright yellow which aids in locating items within the bag. The exterior is rugged and tough.

6. The shoulder strap is padded with foam and has a grippy-like material on the padded part of the strap.

7. On the back side of the bag there is a sleeve that fits over the handle of wheeled luggage and is secured with a bit of velcro. There is another pocket on this panel as well.

P.A. Marsh
I purchased this product through e-bags shortly after the purchase of my 14.1 widescreen laptop and almost 2 years later I’m still very pleased. This bag has a lot of room for books, paperwork, accessories and your laptop. There are plenty of compartments in which to store your extra knick-knacks although my only complaint (minor) is the water or drink holder is on the smallish side. Furthermore, if you have a laptop wider than 15.4″ you’ll probably have a difficult time fitting it into the included padded laptop sleeve. This may be easily solved by getting a different one though. It’s a durable bag and the interior is bright yellow which makes it easier to find things. I would highly recommend this product.

Mountain Smith Softshell Briefcase
This is my third Mountain Smith bag. I got it because of the other two were so good. This is a fantastic bag. Well built with lots of pockets both internal and external. It even has a little color to it with a yellow interior which is a little thing but it makes it easier to find things inside. I am a coach and I use it outdoors everyday. This is an excellent bag.

Customer Reviews:
All the glitters
When I bought the Black and Decker 2030 based on recommendations on this site, I was hoping that it would perform better than my 17 year old Norelco 725 steam iron which required that I spray the garment with water before ironing to get a good press. But when I compared the two (with the both on the highest steam setting), making a single slow pass over a linen shirt, the Norelco actually did better! The B&D burst of steam was impressive, but it wasn’t enough to remove the wrinkles on its own. The B&D has its steam holes around the perimeter, leading me to try out the Rowenta DZ9080 which has them distributed more evenly. It has a larger plate and looks great. But using the same test, the Rowenta was the poorest performer. The Rowenta did have the best, finest, water spray. But like the B&D’s, the Rowenta spray points straight ahead; you have to lift and tilt the iron down to spray the item, which then causes an unnecessary burst of steam.

Doesn’t last!
I am very disillusioned with the concept buying a high end iron, especially a Rowenta iron. It just quit heating completely and suddenly within only 2 years of purchase. I was very pleased with the steaming ability of this iron and expected, at this over $100 price point, it would last a very long time. My cheap Black and Decker iron is still going strong after 10+ years! Of course, there is no local repair facilitiy in the Sacramento area. The nearest Rowenta repair facility in in the San Francsico Bay area. My calls to Rowenta consumer “Service” were unsatisfying. All they would do is send me a $15 gift certificate for toward the purchase of a new Rowenta iron!! Why would I continue to be a Rowenta customer???

THE WORST IRON!!!!!!
THIS IS THE WORST IRON I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. I ALSO BOUGHT A SECOND ONE THINKING THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS A FLUKE BUT IT IS NOT. WILL NOT HEAT UP AFTER 4 MONTHS OF USE AND THE AUTO CUTOFF QUIT WORKING 2ND MONTH. BEWARE, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AWFUL.

You weigh the options
This is my second Rowenta. I did not learn the first time. My first Rowenta lasted about a year and a half. It did a fabulous job while it worked but obviously did not last long. To replace it, I purchased this Steam Advancer. Again, I was thrilled with the product, until it stopped heating after three months. I sent it to the Authorized Repair Center; it was under warranty and it finally came back to me after about a month and a half. Now the iron heated up but leaked all over the clothes. I sent it back to the Repair center two months ago; they are now telling me they are awaiting a replacement shipment and it should be in “by the end of the week” (I’ve called weekly since I sent the iron; no iron has been returned to me yet.) While I wait for the Rowenta, I’m using an old P&G workhorse that probably cost a little over $10 and has worked steadily for over twelve years. I paid over $120 for my Rowenta, and have been able to use it about a third of the time I’ve owned it (seven months). My first Rowenta lasted less than two years. You do the math.

Great product, but a bit heavy
It’s excellent and the settings are adjustable to avoid damaging the finest of fabrics. It’s a bit heavy, which took some getting used to. Other than that, excellent for the price!