Wednesday, May 30, 2007

  • need some computer advice

    Hey, peoples...I've got a busy summer ahead, a summer during which my laptop is going to figure prominently in the realms of work, school, and travel. So, I need a little advice, if any of y'all have some. :p

    I have a really nice "deluxe" laptop case that is sturdy and holds just about anything. The problem is that it's a shoulder-strap-only affair. While I can carry a loaded backpack across campus and back all day without undue discomfort, carrying stuff on one shoulder becomes very uncomfortable after only a couple minutes. I've noticed that when I'm uncomfortable bearing a weight (even something that's relatively light like a laptop with accessories) it has a big impact on the respiratory problems. So...since I am going to be taking the laptop with me almost every day this summer, I obviously need a new bag, or some other solution.

    I've been looking at laptop backpacks on Amazon, and they seem like they may be right kind of thing I'll need, but I've never carried a computer in a backpack before, so the prospect has me wondering. Are backpacks safe for transporting laptops on a daily basis? This thing is my favorite item (not to mention a necessary tool for work and school!) and I definitely don't want to damage it for the sake of convenience. I'll be taking it to school almost every weekday and then to work after class at least three times a week. This will involve lots of bus travel. Also how good are backpacks for taking a laptop as a carry-on on a plane? For travel I'm not so concerned and I'll use the regular case if that's best (and since I won't be checking it, it'll be with me at all times).

    Any advice is welcome. :)

Comments (3)

  • I just have a crappy case with a handle, so I don't have a lot of practical experience with the laptop backpacks.

    HOWEVER ... most of these backpacks are designed to handle heavy loads, I'm sure. Computers are expensive items, and a cause of great concern for most people that want laptop backpacks, so designers will probably keep computer safety in mind. My advice? Go to the nearest stores that sell these. Open them up. Look inside. Check out the padding, and ask the sales reps about how this backpack deals with shock versus that backpack. Don't forget to ask others with laptop backpacks. They can tell you all the practical hands-on details of using these bags.

    Good luck over the summer!
  • I knew a guy who used just a normal backpack to carry his laptop around. This was before laptop bags got super fancy, so it's not like he had much of a choice. I believe he never had a problem with it.

    The only added thing that I think a special laptop backpack adds is just pads so that in case you accidentally bump into a wall or drop the thing outright, the laptop won't suffer much damage. If you're careful, you could feasibly get away with transporting your laptop with a regular backpack.

    Really, though, it's your call. Backpacks are pretty safe and I think a better option than a traditional laptop carrying case.
  • i have a backpack that's designed to carry my big-ass laptop around, but i'm a weak person to begin with, so i try to carry as little with me as humanly possible then transporting my laptop. *l* my laptop is a 15.4" bugger, though so with it being super-wide, it adds to the weight. i also have a messenger bag for the thing too (of Serial Experiments Lain 'cause i'm just that diet-otaku), which i can't carry anything but the laptop in *l*

    so i say a backpack! it's worked for me over the last couple years, and i'm sure you can carry a little more than i can even if ya can't breath :)

    *huggles*
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