This urban-styled satchel by Built NY is available in a series of vibrant colours. A nice change from the austerity that seems to prevail in the kingdom of laptop bags. So is it more than just a fashion item?

First let us get one thing straight. The Portfolio is more of a sleeve and is miles away from the traditional computer bag. Clunky in no way and weighing less than 1 kg, the Built Portfolio Brown is well stitched and sturdy. Once it is opened, you cannot help asking yourself if you will be able to fit anything more than a laptop inside.

This bag has a strong-rib weave and is made of stretchy neoprene and polyester that can be machine washed. Once the computer is inside, there is enough space to add a magazine or two, a telephone and perhaps a mouse. There are no pockets for each element to have its own little home. If you do not like chaos in a bag, this might put you off, but then again as there is little that you can put inside, all the items remain easily accessible.


If you do choose to stretch the bag to the max, you will soon deform it: a lump for the mouse, another one for the wallet; the peripherals will poke through…It will not look good but what’s more, it will also be uncomfortable. If you carry the bag on a shoulder strap, the bulges and bumps will rub against your thigh.

The bag will not stand on its own and is unprotected underneath.	Bumps and bulges.

Hold all!	Close-up

If you take the Built Portfolio for what it really is, that is to say more of a sophisticated sleeve with a handle and use it to carry the computer and not much else, you will be happy. Thanks to its slim design it is also easy to slip it into a travel bag.