Recommendations For A Good Laptop Bag?

YOU LIKEWISE FAIL IT writes "So, I was jogging to the bus stop this morning when suddenly - snap, the weight of the laptop on my shoulder vanished, and I heard the dull thud of my powerbook bag hitting the pavement at a wince-inducing speed. The laptop seems to be alright, but the bag (a WWDC giveaway) is completely knackered. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good, impact resistant laptop bag that won't come flying apart under stress? Perhaps it's not too late to guilt work into buying me one for a late Christmas present."

Comments

A backpack!

[JThundley]

Get yourself a good backpack. I got a great one for $40 at staples made by Samsonite.

Re:A backpack!

[srchestnut]

A backpack is a good idea because it doesn't look like a laptop bag. Theives that operate at bus stations and air ports often look for laptop bags. Try a Froogle (http://froogle.google.com) search for laptop backpack and you'll turn up a bunch of hits.

Crumpler Bags Rule

[grantdh]

Check out the bags from Crumpler - they're from Australia but they have stores all around the world. Simply the best bags you can get.

They started off doing bags for bicycle couriers and developed from there. Very strong, very well designed, pockets for everything and no dirty great "Hey, I've got a laptop in here so steal me!" logos and designs.

I have been using their "Crisp Suit" bag (look in the computer bags section) for over a year, including four weeks using it to carry two (yes, TWO) laptops around Asia while working in Korea, Thailand and Japan. The bag goes with me whenever I carry my laptop (read: almost every day) and I'm still in love with it.

Definitely worth finding the nearest Crumpler store / distributor and picking one up.

Duh

[pclinger]

If your laptop survived, get another one of the same bag. $20 bag saves $1,500 laptop, I'd stock up on 10 of those instead of hoping your next bag does as good a job.

From my experience...

[NilObject]

Speaking from my years and years of experience with *several* bags, the best way to go it to get a sleeve thing for your computer (any sort of neoprene is good, as are reinforced sides) then buy a luggage bag. I don't mean those pseudo-laptop bags, I mean those heavy-duty bags meant for luggage etc. If you're really paranoid like me, you can roll up a towel and put it in the bottom.

Otherwise, it depends on the laptop you have. My iBook is sturdier than hell (800MHz white etc) and it goes with me to all my classes (being a comp. sci. major and all). From what I've seen, the cheaper laptops such as low-end Dells are as fragile as Middle-East peace.

So, what bag do I use if I have so much experience? Well, I bought a $10 neoprene sleeve made by Sony for their Vaio laptops and I throw it in my backpack (which is made to carry 40-50 punds of stuff). That bag will never freaking break. The other nice thing about school bags is that they never seem to fail all at once, they tend to rip and give a little, givinng you plenty of warning to replace it. Just make sure not to put your laptop right in the back near your back and below all your books or whatnot.

I've jogged to many a class and that set-up refuses to show any signs of giving up.

Re:Jansport

[Stalus]

And less likely to be identified as containing a laptop by thieves.

Brand isn't too important

[jhines0042]

But go for a laptop backpack. Seriously.

They may not look as professional, but your shoulder and your computer will thank you and you will never go back. Just make sure it is big enough for your computer, your periferals, and some other stuff.

Plus it doesn't look like it contains a computer. Security though obscurity does sometimes work. And while I wouldn't leave my computer lying around, it is also less likely to be stolen by a mugger etc...

bag made by a good backpacking gear supplier

[firewood]

Theft is also a major risk with laptops.

A book bag or soft briefcase made by a company that make rugged outdoor gear is less likely to come apart under typical use/abuse, and doesn't attract as much attention as a Logo'd laptop case. Put your laptop inside a neoprene sleve inside the soft briefcase or small backpack, add a thick magazine (Wired, etc.) on the display side, and you will have a rugged case that doesn't yell "steal me!" in crowded public spaces.

And if you need an expensive briefcase to be seen along with your Armani business suit at some client meeting, carry your laptop in the backpack and your clean shirt/underwear in the expensive case on the trip thru the airport (but this is Slashdot, so never mind...)

Re:Jansport

[rpmdp]

Personally I got tired of the normal laptop bags and bought a backpack from L.L. Bean. It holds a laptop with 17" wide screen with no problem. It's very comfortable to wear and if you have to run, your laptop is very secure in a padded pocket inside against your back so it doesn't move.

Plus there is loads of room inside for other things. On one outing I had the following in the bag:

1 x HP Notebook
1 x 802.11g Access Point (Netgear, in the box)
2 x Wireless PCMCIA cards (In boxes)
1 x wifi card for my notebook
2 x network cables (25' each)
1 x Palmpilot
1 x Mobile phone
1 x Notebook and other assorted mobile office goodies

And, there were misc other things in there. Yes, it was a near spine breaking adventure, but it just goes to show how much they can hold. I love it so much I wish I bought 2, this one will wear out and having to wait for a replacement will really suck.

I jumped the shark on this one.

[Tikaro]

After using a Timbuk2 laptop sleeve for years, I had to abandon it when I started using a Dell Inspiron 8600. Sadly, nobody I saw made a good bag, so I decided to make my own. I did it with some 1/2" neoprene puchased from Canal Rubber in NYC.

• Picture 1
• Picture 2

I cut pieces of neoprene to make a box, super-glued it together, then (ahem) sewed up a canvas sleeve to keep it from falling apart -- the neoprene isn't very abrasion-resistant. I use a separate small cordura bag to carry the charger, mouse, and whisker antenna for wireless. Works great. I ride a motorcycle to work when the weather's nice, and the whole shebang fits neatly into an Ortlieb Cross-Air pack. Um, this solution probably isn't for everybody, though.