Rolling Laptop Bags – Selection Guidelines

What should you look for when shopping for rolling laptop bags? Well, there are many considerations that you should keep in mind before looking at a bag’s price tag. After all, if a product does not suit your needs, who cares how much it costs? Anyway, high quality products always come at a premium. Nothing is more embarrassing than having the

Rolling Laptop Bag

Rolling Laptop Bag

wheels come off your bag at a client’s location or on the way to an important meeting. Speaking of wheels, make sure that the wheels are reinforced by heavy duty plastic and/or metal so that they last. OK, on to the important stuff.

A rolling laptop bag should have a sturdy extendable handle. Most well-constructed bags have aluminum handles. The benefits of aluminum are two fold. First of all, aluminum is very lightweight which is important because excess weight is to be avoided. Second, aluminum is strong and flexible. It can take a lot of abuse without breaking, a great benefit to those road warriors out there. To extend the handle, you simply press a button and pull. The handle extends so that you can easily roll the bag around. When you are finished, another push of a button collapses the handle and it retracts into the bag, perfect for storage purposes. The bag should have a dedicated compartment that protects the laptop and separates it from the other contents in the bag. The laptop compartment should have enough padding to allow the laptop to survive being dropped when in the bag. Other features to look for include dedicated storage for common computer supplies and accessories such as CD/DVD discs and usb memory devices and power supplies and such.

If you travel a lot and/or have lots of stuff to lug around, then rolling laptop bags are a good option. You can easily carry your laptop computer and all the peripherals and accessories you might need. These bags can be heavy, so for those of you who travel light, this option may not be for you. Whatever choice you make, be sure to take the laptop with you and make sure it fits in your intended purchase.

17” Laptop Bags are For Serious Laptops

If you have a 17 inch laptop, you need to look at good 17” laptop bags if you are going to carry it around with you. Why do I emphasize the quality of the bag here? The reason is simple and may be obvious to you, but I’ll say it here. A

Try to Find a Bag for this Laptop!

Try to Find a Bag for this Laptop!

17 inch laptop will be heavy and most likely be expensive. If you have a heavy laptop, you’ll need a bag with lots of padding inside. The padding can make a big difference if you drop the bag.

Most laptop bag manufacturers have drop specifications. They basically guarantee that a drop from x number of feet will not damage the laptop. I would recommend a 4 foot guarantee at a minimum. This will assure you that the bag has adequate protection for your computer in the event of an unfortunate incident. Imagine dropping a $2,000 computer and shattering the lcd screen. This is not something you want to happen and you should take steps to protect your investment. Even if the computer is not worth much, your data certainly is. If you are a computer professional, you already know that when looking for 17” laptop bags, protection is a top consideration.

If you travel frequently, I would suggest a bag with rolling hardware or a shoulder strap. Shoulder straps are great for relieving the stress from your hand. If you routinely carry lots of things in addition to your computer, consider getting a bag with wheels. If you get a bag from a reputable manufacturer, there will be other thoughtful touches. There should be dedicated places to put optical discs, peripherals such as cables and external usb devices like usb mice or usb memory sticks. All these little refinements can make life much easier and you should look at everything when selecting your computer bag.

You may have a smaller computer than the 17” laptop bags are designed for. Maybe your computer has a 15” screen. It is OK to go larger, getting a smaller bag is the problem. Always get a bag that fits your largest laptop and one that has room for expansion. You never know what the future will bring.

Leather Laptop Bags For Your Portable Computer

If you are a high-tech road warrior, you can add a little style with leather laptop bags. Leather bags add a touch of class to your portable computing experience. There are many types of leather and fake leather so be careful in your choice. Leather looks nice and wears well. The softer the leather, the less durable it is likely to be. Bags like this

Black Leather is Cool!

Black Leather is Cool!

designed specifically to house your laptop come in some nice colors. One of the most popular colors is, as you may have guessed, black. Basic black is always good for business situations. Avoid large metal hardware as you may accidentally scratch and or damage your computer’s case or screen.

Leather has a great appearance, but the fact that it is soft is a potential problem for your portable computer. Laptop cases typically have lots of reinforcement to prevent damage during transit. This is especially important if you are going anywhere near an airport. If you are checking the bag, rest assured those bag handlers will be tossing your computer all about the place, that much is certain. Anyone who checks a leather laptop bag is really asking for trouble. Make sure you take that bag with you on the plane. Keeping that in mind, make sure the bag is not too large to go on a plane if you travel frequently by air.

So what are the important factors to look at when choosing from all available leather laptop bags out there? Number one is use. If you travel a lot and you have a lot to carry, a rolling bag is your best option. If you want a little style and don’t intend to rough up your computer, then leather is a good option. The drawback is potentially less protection for your portable computer. Leather is soft so it needs to be reinforced with panels inside to provide an effective barrier from the elements. These panels can be made of anything from wood to composite resin materials which are strong and light and expensive. As I’ve said before, when you go out shopping, please bring your computer with you because nothing is more embarrassing than coming home with a bag that doesn’t fit your computer.

Got a Netbook? Don’t Forget a Case or Bag for it.

Netbooks seem to be all the rage today. Due to their lightweight portability and ease of use, they are perfect for taking to your favorite wireless hotspot or for the traveling business person who is always on the road.  If all you need is the use of an

Netbooks need a case too!

Netbooks need a case too!

office suite or just to get on the internet to check out your favorite blog or check out the latest YouTube videos, a netbook may be just the ticket.

Once you purchase a netbook, you will need definitely need a case to protect your investment.  Most netbook cases are universal, meaning they will fit almost any netbook.  Some are made specifically for a particular brand or model.  Whatever you choose, make sure your particular netbook fits comfortably in the case.

Choosing Between Laptop Carrying Cases – Some Tips

So how do I choose between the various types of laptop carrying cases? There are many options for you to pick from so it is easy to get confused. When looking for a case for you laptop, keep in mind that the main reason for getting the case in the first place is transporting your computer safely. There is no reason for safe being boring. There are

Laptop Case

Laptop Case

many case options from leather computer bags to molded resin carrying cases and everything in between. You can also find cases that come in aluminum or painted with your favorite band logo, the sky’s the limit. Of course if you are an artist, you can paint the case to give it that extra flair. Whatever you decide to do, there are some things you should keep in mind when you go shopping.

Most laptop carrying cases have some things in common. The first is there should be a way to keep your computer stationary. You should be able to easily secure your notebook so that it doesn’t move. This is essential for good protection. You don’t want your notebook bouncing around the case. Another thing to look out for is extra inserts to use for different sized computers. Most people have more than one laptop so make sure that your case can handle it. One option is to use velcro on the tips of the inserts. The reason they do this is so that you can move the insert so that it is touching the laptop. The insert can be moved around and secured so any size laptop will be accommodated. This is very convenient as you can easily move the padding to suit the computer you will be carrying.

Make sure that there is enough room left in these laptop carrying cases to store the incidentals too. I usually bring other peripherals with me. I bring the charger, maybe an external backup drive, reference books, etc. Just be sure that everything you need to carry can be easily stored in the case. You certainly don’t want to have to carry more than one bag or case around with you if you don’t have to.

Pink Laptop Bags For Girls

Most girls love the color pink. Pink laptop bags make great gifts for girly girls. Most technology stuff is so user unfriendly. Laptops fit into this category. What better way to make a girl happy than to choose a pink laptop and

Pink Laptop Bag

Pink Laptop Bag

matching bag? Finding a bag that is pink is not as hard as it sounds. Most major laptop manufacturers these days are into color coordinating covers and accessories. You can match a usb mouse, speakers, external hard drive and many other accessories. Now you can have everything in pink, not just your computer. I would just like to point out that boys might not like a pink computer or bag or accessories, so even if you can get a deep discount, don’t do it. Repainting is not an option people. Anyway, as always, there are some things to keep in mind when looking for a bag for your notebook that will apply regardless of color, pink or otherwise.

As I said, most computer manufacturers have matching accessories including bags on their websites. Unless you are buying your pink laptop bags from a computer manufacturer, you need to adhere to some guidelines. First and foremost is the size of the computer. If you have one of those new computers with those beautiful 17 inch screens, you will need a large bag. The bag should also have pockets for the power supply, external hard drive, CD or DVD compartments, space for books, etc. If you are not particularly strong, you should also choose a lightweight bag or you’ll leave the bag behind because it is just too heavy for daily use. If you are going to use the bag daily and need to tote it around all day, consider getting a bag with wheels on it. You don’t know how much this helps. Having wheels on your bag means the weight is on the ground, not on your shoulders. If you weigh 100 pounds soaking wet, you don’t want to be carrying a bag that weighs 15 pounds on your shoulders all day.

So if you are a girl going to school and pink is your favorite color, rest assured, there are pink laptop bags for girls out there and you can get a pink laptop to match!

Is a Leather Laptop Briefcase Right For You?

Are you a serious business person? Do you have high-end clients? If you are and you do, a leather laptop briefcase might just be the thing for you. There are many advantages to having your laptop in a briefcase. First of all, most briefcases look very similar in appearance. This means that unless you choose to divulge the fact that a portable computer is in the case, no one will know that it is there. Most of us are not covert operatives so this might not seem as an advantage, but for everyday use, with all things being equal, a computer is much less likely to be taken if nobody knows it is there.

Why choose a leather laptop briefcase? Well, there are many reasons. First off, leather is very attractive in appearance. Most business people have leather briefcases. You will be much less conspicuous if you aren’t carrying a molded aluminum briefcase. As far as laptops go, a briefcase is a very good option. This is because they are usually well constructed with stiff inner panels which make for excellent impact protection which is great if you’re a laptop. If you intend to go this route weight might just be a consideration here. Keep in mind that a 17” multimedia computer will weigh at least 7 or 8 pounds just by itself. Add a power adapter, some discs, and the weight of the briefcase itself, and you can have a really heavy briefcase that may be difficult to carry. In this case, I recommend a small notebook that weighs no more than 4 pounds and a small extra battery to cut down on weight.

There are also other considerations when choosing a case for your notebook. Most well-built cases have a main compartment for the laptop and padding all around the compartment so it is well protected. The padding should be removable so you can add or subtract padding inserts for different sized laptops. When you decide to shop for your leather laptop briefcase, just make sure that you bring your laptop with you. Put the laptop in the case and make sure that there is room for everything and that the protective inserts are doing their job. Your computer should not be able to jiggle around and should be firmly secured.

Cheap Laptop Bags are Not Always a Bargain

Cheap laptop bags are good for some purposes but you should consider upgrading if your needs warrant it. If you are just trying to keep your laptop from getting dusty then a cheap bag will do nicely. Personally, I have a wide variety of bags for each kind of situation. If I am going on a trip, I will select a hard laptop case with plenty of padding. You never know what may happen, especially if you fly. If you use your laptop exclusively at home and you are looking to keep it new and undamaged, pretty much any bag will do.

Most cheap laptop bags are made of ballistic nylon. If you go the cheap route, make sure that the bag has a soft insert. This is critical. If your bag does not have a smooth surface on the inside, you will create tiny scratches on the exterior of your computer. Over time, these tiny scratches will accumulate and the finish of the computer will look dull and will seriously degrade the resale value. A little caution here can save you lots of aggravation later. I know this personally because I have a laptop that looks like I rubbed it with sandpaper because of a cheap bag. You don’t want to make the same mistake, trust me.

There are advantages to having several bags to choose from. Generally, cheap laptop bags don’t bother with things like metal clips for shoulder straps, padding to prevent damage and are really flimsy. This has a side benefit. These bags usually are very light. Light weight is good. After carrying a laptop everywhere for hours, your arms can feel like they are about to fall off. So you see, although I don’t like to go cheap often, there are some advantages to having a bag that is light, especially if you are a careful person and if you are going to carry the computer all day with you. Light and cheap have their place too, just make sure you don’t drop the bag, especially if you are outside. Concrete and laptops don’t make good partners.

Laptop Computer Cases

Laptop computer cases come in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps my favorite is the computer briefcase. I looked far and wide to find a case that was lightweight and strong for my computer. I found a molded resin case that weighed under two pounds. It was great because it held my laptop, power supply and other stuff and was under ten pounds. Believe me, if you commute to work like I used to, ten pounds is the absolute maximum that your wrist can comfortably support. As I said before, I used to commute to work. It was a two hour grind each way and I had plenty of down time. When I wasn’t sleeping on the train, the briefcase served double duty as a table for my notebook or very often a table for the breakfast that I bought at the station coffee shop. Yes, a briefcase can be a commuter’s best friend. If you are simply buying a case to store the computer in your house, you will have different requirements.

Manufacturers make laptop computer cases in all different shapes and sizes. For those of us who need to carry lots of things when traveling, a case with wheels may be appropriate. Wheeled cases are a super convenience because your arms are not constantly carrying the brunt of the weight. If you have a heavy briefcase your fingers will tire quickly and your shoulders will start to hurt. You will look for places to constantly put that case down as often as you can. Having wheels on the case will help tremendously. You can thank me later for this piece of advice. My case was so heavy I developed the strongest fingers on the planet carrying it around.

The weight of the computer also plays a role in all of this. Large multimedia notebooks can weigh almost ten pounds or more with their accessories. Add the weight of the bag to the equation and you might be in trouble. Even though it does not sound like much, nobody wants to carry around fifteen pounds of computer and bag all day. Trust me, your shoulders and neck will not like you very much if you go this route. Of all the things to consider when looking at laptop computer cases, weight for me will always top the list. If I can’t carry it, the case is useless to me no matter how nice it looks or how well it protects my laptop.

Laptop Computer Bags – How To Choose?

Laptop computer bags are everywhere, so how do I choose the right one for me? There are a few considerations when selecting a bag for your laptop. The first and most important step is what kind of bag style suits you? Are you looking for a bag that can hold lots of things, not just a laptop? Are you looking for a bag that is only made for laptops? How about format? Are you a backpack kind of person? Do you want a designer bag? Materials are also important. There are many materials in use from ballistic nylon to plush leather. Once your mind is made up as to what kind of bag, backpack or shoulder strap, leather, nylon or other material, there are other things you need to consider.

If you go to a store to look for laptop computer bags, make sure you take your computer with you. Now this may seem obvious, but you would really be surprised at how many people go out and buy a laptop bag on impulse without even considering the size and weight of the laptop or notebook. Most bags designed especially for portable computers are size specific. What that means is you aren’t going to buy the same bag for a 12 inch notebook that you would for a 17 inch unit. They are very different in terms of construction and weight and, of course, size. OK, assuming that you have the laptop with you, try it out in a variety of bags. Is there room for your charger/power supply? Is there room for other accessories? Most of the time, you’ll want to bring a book, your power supply, maybe an extra battery. Make sure that you can fit all these things in without the bag looking like a lumpy mess. Also, if you are not very careful with your things or will be traveling frequently, make sure that the bag is well padded. Dropping your laptop in a bag without side and bottom cushions will almost always result in damage to your computer.

As you can see, choosing from available laptop computer bags is not as simple as picking the first bag you see and leaving. There are things that you should not do without. Keep these guidelines in mind before you shop.