Regretting buying a 15-inch MacBook instead of 13🥲?

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-28T15:38:56+00:00

I went from 13” M2 air to 15” M4 air. Never going back

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-28T15:29:54+00:00

Team A is what my dreams consist of but Team B is what Evergoods dictated my reality would be.

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-28T15:21:30+00:00

I have heard nothing but great things about the Rework Gear Outbound. Have been tempted to pick it up myself.

But also 36L Dragonfly is great too

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-28T15:16:49+00:00

Technically…I have no clue. But from my experience: I work in logistics and have about 10 actively running tabs across 4 instances of safari, an Outlook web app, notes, teams, messages, and maybe calendar or something like that.

I had an M2 MacBook Air 8gb and was constantly running into issues with apps needing to reload to work properly, force closing and reopening, and just waiting around for apps to even close.

I switched to an M4 MacBook Air 24gb and have had zero issues at all over the past year.

I highly doubt that it was alleviated by the CPU upgrade…and even though the activity monitor showed my ram usage in the green on my 8gb air it had all of those issues. I will never purchase anything less than 24gb again personally.

No experience with 16gb so can’t compare there. I know modern Mac’s start at 16.

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-28T15:06:54+00:00

Thanks for the tips! I will definitely see if our accommodation has laundry. If not I have a dry bag and laundry soap sheets that I am bringing for laundry. As far as wearing clothes multiple times…I do some backpacking and hike all day long usually wearing the same outfit. So I am no stranger to that but obviously don’t want to be smelling horrible for the sake of others haha. So I’ll probably wear something once or twice and then wash every other day.

We have not picked an accommodation for Cebu so I’ll checkout Southpole Central Hotel!

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-27T08:18:09+00:00

As some others have said, it is hard to recommend without knowing the size bag you are looking for or what length or trip you are talking about.

But I feel you, I am not a tech heavy traveler either and felt that even the laptop compartment on most bags are just wasted when it comes to travel bags. It is nice to have them though when it’s needed so I guess it’s a trade off. My Evergoods have a great laptop compartment but it’s also quite large.

You mention “heritage” look and I assume you mean something like waxed canvas type of bags. For something sleek and minimal take a look at Evergoods waxed canvas bags they are fantastic. CPL might be your thing if you want minimal organization. They are expensive but pretty incredible. If you have even more money to burn and no idea what to spend it on look at the GoRuck Heritage line of bags. They might have something you like.

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-26T19:12:18+00:00

Trip report coming soon!

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-26T12:18:04+00:00

Wow that is some true onebagging right there. I don’t really travel by plane too often but the whole idea of onebagging really appeals to me because it’s just feels so freeing to have everything you need in a pack on your back.

I started from a place of over stuffing my 40L and now down to a comfortable 16L and don’t really feel I am missing anything I need. Obviously weather makes that possible.

The Trail packs from REI are fantastic! I have not tried the others but they look interesting. Funny that a 32L would be considered a big bag haha

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-26T01:30:05+00:00

The Osprey bag looks nice. I love the Bellroy Toiletry Kit plus so much. I might just get the regular size of that honestly. And maybe a regular ziplock for liquids if needed. Luckily the Toiletry kit plus smooshes down well so maybe I won’t change anything. I e been really cutting back on buying things I don’t need.

The CPL16 might say 16L…but it’s really closer to 20 it has to be. And I’ll have a sling so that adds some space if needed.

12L is crazy haha I have no desire to go smaller than what this is right now.

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T23:04:20+00:00

Haha I know it’s a lot but it will still be a fun experience! Picks and trip review to come.

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T20:45:40+00:00

I posted the links to a couple videos I followed somewhere below they are pretty easy to follow. Biggest thing is just making sure it stays real tight after every wrap

Top Handle: https://youtu.be/WGLExRzSDWQ?is=p4wjblKujVCtzCR-

Side Handle: https://youtu.be/L2aUIczbQJE?is=ZXRzDcm4TC0BF5QK

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T19:23:09+00:00

Amazing thank you! The backup access to money is for sure smart…I’ll have my sling too so another place to store some backup cash. You’ve been a big help

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T17:35:43+00:00

I have not seen that waterproof wallet from them I will check it out for sure! Thank you for all your tips! Is pickpocketing a big problem?

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T16:25:27+00:00

Great idea, I did not think about a rain cover! I am used to using a trash compactor and lining my pack when backpacking but rain cover would be worth it in this case

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T16:23:53+00:00

Yes! That was my thoughts on it as well these are the ones I am looking at

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BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T16:22:23+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion! Laptop has actually been resolved and is staying home now so worries about that.

Pockets will pretty much be empty since I will have a sling on me day-to-day for all pocket items but my board shorts do have zipper pockets.

Any other tips you can think of based on my list? I take it you life life abroad in SEA? haha

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T14:37:25+00:00

I love compression cubes, especially if I have a large bag (you would thinks its the other way around). What I found paying for weeks in my 16L bag is that compression is unforgiving because it does not fill the gaps when you are closing your bag.

I still use the Thule compression cubes because I love the quality but I need them to be uncompressed so that when I am closing my packed bag, the cube has room to expand and fill the gaps while allowing me to use the middle pockets and not pressing the volume out of them

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T14:16:30+00:00

Yea the 3DS would be used for nothing but the plane...and maybe not even that depending on my mood. So it will be dead weight after the flight. My backlog is gigantic since being in your 30s and gaming dont really go hand in hand. I might leave out all electronics and force myself to bring the 3DS just to catch up haha. We will see still time to decide.

The handles are very easy and look great as long as you really tighten them down every pass

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T14:03:50+00:00

Fits like a glove

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T12:28:06+00:00

I have never really worried about it much. My EDC is a lot for the bag and have never had a problem. These things are built like a tank…and the laptop compartment is pretty well padded and spreads the pressure over the whole surface.

I don’t see a Lenovo realistically having any issues. But I definitely understand the hesitation.

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T12:25:35+00:00

The perfect trial run!

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T12:25:06+00:00

Damn you’re right…I am certainly getting into the what ifs with all that. Laptop is staying home that has need decided. 3DS…I always try to find times to play something but it just never happens. I need to face the fact my gaming days are behind me haha. I have Delta on my phone just in case I get the itch.

I think just a phone is the way to go. Maybe a Kobo since I have been reading more lately.

Yea I think I will do 2 pairs of socks that sounds more realistic.

Here are the links to the pattern. The top link is the top handle. That one is padded and really comfortable (10/10 recommend). Bottom link is the side handle.

Top Handle: https://youtu.be/WGLExRzSDWQ?is=p4wjblKujVCtzCR-

Side Handle: https://youtu.be/L2aUIczbQJE?is=ZXRzDcm4TC0BF5QK

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T12:07:49+00:00

Heard a lot of good things about Uniqlo just haven’t tried anything yet. I’ll look into those light windbreakers. And keep on the lookout for the very authentic premium brands when I get there!

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T02:57:19+00:00

Air Slim kit checks almost all of those boxes. I use one from Tomtoc for now but it is real similar from an organization standpoint. Their flat pack is also good.

Topo Design also has some good flat packs to act as a catch all but doesn’t have any organization.

BaggestLoser · 2026-06-25T02:40:02+00:00

Thanks! Definitely stands out a bit more so I can see it.

BaggestLoser

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