This review of the SwissGear 1900 vs 1923 was written because very little is known about the difference between the two backpacks. They are very similar in design, yet have a couple of small differences.
SwissGear 1900 vs 1923
What do the Swiss Gear 1900 and 1923 ScanSmart backpacks have in common?
Holding electronics
Both of these backpacks are made to hold laptops of up to 17 inches. There are also special pockets for your cell phone and thumb drive. Furthermore, if you like to listen to music while you are walking, both have a built-in headphone cord port.
Accessory pockets
These two Swiss Gear backpacks have various zippered pockets to store your accessories. There are 2 zippered pockets at the top and 1 at the bottom of the backpack. The sides of the backpack are lined with a zippered accessory pocket that happens to be quite large, with another spot to put your extra items.
But the best part about these backpacks is that they have multiple divider pockets for organization. In the front panel pocket, you will find special spots for pens, cards, your iPhone, and some thumb drives. There are also special places to put your calendars and notebooks. As a matter fact, the SwissGear 1900 and 1923 ScanSmart backpacks have an accordion file holder for all of your school or business needs.
Shoulder straps
The shoulder straps are padded and made to be ergonomically contoured to mould to the shape of your chest and shoulders. A part of the reason why the backpacks taper off at the top is to allow for the shoulder straps to lie in a more comfortable position.
The shoulder straps have a sunglass holder loop. This way, you will never be fumbling for your sunglasses, and actually makes you look quite cool!
Built into the shoulder straps is a reflective material. This helps to keep you safe at night from oncoming cars. This is especially great if you are going to be riding a bicycle or running at night.
Padded backpanel
The backpanels of these backpacks are highly padded for your comfort. The fabric that covers them are made of mesh that allows the skin to breathe. This helps to prevent against sweating in awkward places.
Compression
No true backpack would be complete without a compression system. These backpacks have compression straps that allow you to tighten up the gear you are holding. This helps to stabilize it so that you don’t end up losing your balance. This comes in especially handy if you’re only filling your backpack halfway.
Water bottle pockets
These backpacks come complete with water bottle pockets on each side. They are stretchy enough for large water bottles, but also double as pockets for extra accessories.
Differences between the Swiss Gear 1900 and 1923 ScanSmart backpacks
As promised, we will go over the differences between these two laptop backpacks. Granted, the differences are very simple.
Tablet sleeve
The main difference between the 1900 and the 1923 is the fact that the 1900 has a tablet sleeve. The tablet sleeve is located opposite of the laptop sleeve. The sleeve is built into the opposite side to the laptop sleeve. If you do own a tablet or are planning on purchasing one, then perhaps 1900 ScanSmart backpacks should be your choice.
Color options
The Swissgear 1900 comes in red, blue, grey and black options. If you are concerned about the way that your backpack looks and want a little bit of color, consider purchasing the 1900. The 1923 backpack only has one color option; black.
Size
There are slight variations in size between these two backpacks.
Swiss Gear ScanSmart 1900 backpack
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 13.5 x 9.0 inches
Swiss Gear ScanSmart 1923 backpack
- Weight: 3.09 pounds
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 13 x 8.5 inches
Price
At the time of this writing, the SwissGear Scansmart backpack 1900 costs about $20 more than the 1923. To check out current prices on Amazon, see below:
SwissGear 1900 vs 1923: The Verdict
Overall, we feel that the main reason to purchase one over the other is based on whether or not you have a tablet or plan to own a tablet. The other reason is simply that you enjoy the look of a bit of color in your backpack. If either of these statements are true, then perhaps the Scansmart 1900 is the best for you.
Otherwise, the Scansmart 1923 gives plenty of value for the price.