Targus Avila Convertible Tote/Backpack for 15–16” Laptops (French Oak) Review
Summary
The Targus Avila Convertible Tote/Backpack (French Oak, TBB65113GL) blends tote and backpack carry with tuckaway straps, a magnetic-closure protective laptop cradle, a zippered main compartment with internal pockets, a front zip pocket, trolley strap, bright lining, and water-resistant fabric. Targus lists it at $79.99 (US site) and covers bags/backpacks with a limited lifetime warranty for as long as the original end purchaser owns the product.
Targus Avila Convertible Tote/Backpack for 15–16” Laptops (French Oak) Review
Laptop backpacks have evolved into personal infrastructure: light protection for expensive objects, fast access when the day turns into a hallway sprint, and enough organization to prevent “bag archaeology.” That mix, utility plus restraint, shows up across the accessories reviewed on SeriousInsights.net, where everyday carry either reduces friction or adds to it.
The Targus Avila Convertible Tote/Backpack is a tidy expression of friction reduction. It’s a tote-and-backpack blend with tuckaway shoulder straps, a protective laptop cradle with magnetic closure, and a compact capacity that keeps the bag from becoming a roaming storage unit.
This is a backpack that aims at the “polished commuter” end of the buyer spectrum: relatively compact at 15 liters, designed around a dedicated laptop space, and intended to be carried into offices, conferences, and airports without looking like outdoor gear.
It is clear that Targus is going after professional women with styling more akin to a luxury handbag than to one of their more tech-heavy offerings. That said, the Targus Avila Convertible Totes’ polish would suggest “professionalism” regardless of its owner’s sexual orientation.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model number | TBB65113GL |
| List price (Targus US) | $79.99 |
| Interior laptop sleeve | 16” laptops and under |
| Capacity | 12.5 liters |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 13.77” x 4.32” x 15.75” |
| Weight | 1.34 lbs |
| Laptop compartment | 14.13” x 9.96” |
| Tablet compartment | N/A |
| Protection level | Good |
| Materials (published) | Water-resistant memory fabric; vegan leather accents; (EU listing: RPET) |
| Sustainability claim | EcoSmart; GRS-certified recycled materials; made using 14 recycled bottles |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty (bags/backpacks) |
| TAA compliant | No |
What we like
Pros
- Converts from tote to backpack with tuckaway shoulder straps
- Protective laptop/tablet cradle with magnetic closure
- Zippered main compartment with interior zip pocket and four slip pockets
- Soft-touch carry handles with magnetic closure
- Front zippered pocket
- Trolley strap for rolling luggage
- Bright internal lining
- Water-resistant memory fabric
- Premium metallic hardware with vegan leather accents
- EcoSmart materials claim (14 recycled bottles; GRS-certified recycled materials)
- Limited lifetime warranty for bags/backpacks
The convertible design is the whole point, and Targus executes it in a way that reads as pragmatic rather than gimmicky: tuckaway shoulder straps that let the bag present as a tote when that feels right and shift into backpack mode when hands-free matters. The feature is simple, but it changes how the bag fits into a day that includes transit, events, and walking between meetings.
The protective laptop/tablet cradle with a magnetic closure suggests a more deliberate internal structure than a basic padded sleeve. It’s a small decision that can make access feel elegant: open, lift, secure—without a struggle. Targus positions it as “protective,” which matches the bag’s “Protection Level: Good” rating on the spec sheet.
Organization is present without turning into an origami exercise. A zippered main compartment paired with one interior zip pocket and four slip pockets lands in the “enough” zone for chargers, earbuds, pens and the usual adapters that follow modern work like friendly ghosts.
Carry handles matter more than most bags admit. Targus calls out soft-touch handles with magnetic closure, which hints at comfort and a cleaner silhouette when carried as a tote. That magnetic closure detail is a small piece of polish that aligns with the bag’s styling goals.
The front zippered pocket is the bag’s nod to fast access, such as keys, a badge, a wallet, a passport, or other small items that benefit from not sharing space with a laptop. It’s a basic feature, but in a minimalist bag it becomes disproportionately important.
The trolley strap is a travel-friendly design choice that turns the bag into a companion rather than another thing to manage. Even for short trips, that strap changes how friction accumulates in airports and hotels. When traveling, I prefer to roll rather than carry. And while the backpack feature is excellent for shifting between meetings, when I’m at an airport, however, I want to attach everything to my roller bag and carry nothing. I appreciate that Targus includes trolley straps on many of its backpacks.
Bright internal lining is one of those “only after living with it” features. It reduces rummaging time and makes the interior feel less like a black hole. Targus explicitly calls it out as a way to locate belongings more easily, and that’s a credible quality-of-life improvement for a compact bag.
Water-resistant fabric is a good material choice: protective against weather and daily spills without pretending to be expedition gear. Targus also frames the fabric as part of the bag’s ability to “withstand the demands” of daily use, which fits the commuter positioning.
The materials and finish, including premium metallic hardware and vegan leather accents, tell buyers that Targus is competing on look-and-feel, not just function. That’s important for a bag that wants to move between boardroom and travel contexts without changing wardrobes.
The EcoSmart story is well known to SeriousInsights.net readers (see the embedded post below). For the Targus Avila Convertible Tote/Backpack, the company transformed 14 plastic bottles into the bag’s various materials, keeping them out of waterways and landfills.
14 recycled water bottles
Targus positions the Targus Avila Convertible Tote/Backpack as EcoSmart, stating it’s “made using 14 recycled water bottles and other recycled materials,” and describing the use of “GRS-certified recycled materials” as part of the “Bottle Reborn” story. The fabrics were recycled, shredded, spun into yarn, sewn into fabric, or otherwise repurposed. The bag also features vegan leather accents and metal hardware, reducing reliance on animal leather. The EU listing also identifies the material as RPET. That combination reads as a real supply-chain claim rather than a vague sustainability slogan.
The warranty is the long-term value lever. Targus’ warranty page states that laptop cases, bags, and backpacks carry a limited lifetime warranty for as long as the original end purchaser owns the product (with one year on electronic parts, if any are incorporated). That doesn’t eliminate wear, but it does change the risk profile for a daily-carry item.
What could be improved
Cons
- Tablet compartment listed as N/A
- Compact capacity (12.5L in specs; “12L main compartment” in features) may constrain loadout
- “Protection Level: Good” (not positioned as maximum protection)
- Not TAA compliant
- Only one exterior quick-access pocket is explicitly called out (front zip pocket), beyond the main compartment
“Tablet compartment: N/A” is the clearest limitation in the published specs. A tablet can still travel in the bag, but the documentation doesn’t promise a dedicated, separate tablet space, as it does for the laptop sleeve.
Capacity is intentionally compact. Targus lists 12.5 liters in the specs and describes a 12L main compartment in the feature list, which suggests a bag designed for disciplined carry rather than overflow. That’s a feature until the day it isn’t, especially when chargers, headphones, and a second layer join the commute.
“Protection Level: Good” is honest, but it’s also a category signal. This is a style-forward daily bag with structured protection elements, not a hard-shell or maximum-padding design built for rough handling.
TAA compliance is explicitly “No.” For many buyers, that is irrelevant. Especially those traveling in the U.S. with TAS Precheck or Cleer. For procurement contexts that require TAA-compliant products, it’s decisive.
Exterior access is conservative/ The single zippered pocket has nowhere to hang anything. I will say that the shoulder-strap pocket makes a good space for a tablet, with quick access, as long as the owner remembers it isn’t secured. Minimalism is great for clean looks, but it also slows down reaction time when small items need fast retrieval.
Targus Avila Convertible Tote/Backpack: The bottom line
The Targus Avila Convertible Tote/Backpack is a compact, style-conscious tote built around a convertible form factor, a structured laptop cradle with magnetic closure, and sensible travel details like a trolley strap and bright lining. The EcoSmart recycled-material claims and limited lifetime warranty strengthen the value story. The trade-offs are explicit in the specs: the tablet compartment is listed as N/A, the capacity is compact, and the protection is “good” rather than maximum ruggedness. List price on Targus’ US site was $79.99 at the time of writing.
Targus provided the Avila Convertible Tote/Backpack for review. Images courtesy of Targus unless otherwise noted.
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