question for those who travel with laptops

swampwitch

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What do you use to carry your laptop when you travel?

I bought a Targus backpack for traveling with my MacBook and used it for the first time on a trip a week ago. It was terrible, the straps hurt my shoulders (they hit right on the bone), and it was bulky and difficult to use and get on and off. It seemed  lightweight by itself, but as soon as I added my computer and cords, a paperback and some snacks, the thing weighed a ton!

I've been doing research since then, and the Brenthaven bags seem really good, with lifetime guarantee. They weigh only 3 lbs., as opposed to my 6 lb. one, those extra pounds really make a difference! (I'm seriously considering getting a MacBook Air before my next trip, too.)

I need a bag to carry my laptop in addition to a few things like my iPod, camera, a few toiletries, etc. for week-long trips, all suggestions are welcome!

Does anybody know about Brenthaven? How do you lug your laptop around and does it work for you?
 

carolina

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Do you need to carry it on your shoulders? Hmmmm..... I travel a whole lot..... And would never do that....
I have a wheeled laptop case, and carry my bag on my shoulders, or on the top of it.
 

nekomancer

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If you are really going to travel with your laptop often (say daily), then get something that you know you can carry around. I used to carry around my laptop in a side-bag, but my shoulder started to hurt after a while. Given that, i changed it to be a back-pack. I've been carrying a medium weight laptop (Lenovo SL500) with me every day and i have not had any back or shoulder issues.

If your interested, i use a Belkin backpack, that has very comfortable cushions at the back and shoulders so it has NEVER given me any problems about carrying it around.

About carrying snacks and stuff, i believe i can relate. I take my lunch too, but i use a lunchbox for that, but i carry a lot of food since i'm all day at school.

So my final words are, get something that is gentle to where the weight is being set on. An investment in preventing back pains is worth the research (not necessarily the most expensive bag).
 
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swampwitch

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Do you need to carry it on your shoulders? Hmmmm..... I travel a whole lot..... And would never do that....
I have a wheeled laptop case, and carry my bag on my shoulders, or on the top of it.
I don't understand, you roll your laptop on wheels and carry your bag on your shoulders? Or do you mean bag as in purse? I don't carry a purse that's why the backpack needs room for more than just laptop.
If you are really going to travel with your laptop often (say daily), then get something that you know you can carry around. I used to carry around my laptop in a side-bag, but my shoulder started to hurt after a while. Given that, i changed it to be a back-pack. I've been carrying a medium weight laptop (Lenovo SL500) with me every day and i have not had any back or shoulder issues.

If your interested, i use a Belkin backpack, that has very comfortable cushions at the back and shoulders so it has NEVER given me any problems about carrying it around.

About carrying snacks and stuff, i believe i can relate. I take my lunch too, but i use a lunchbox for that, but i carry a lot of food since i'm all day at school.

So my final words are, get something that is gentle to where the weight is being set on. An investment in preventing back pains is worth the research (not necessarily the most expensive bag).
Thanks for the advice. Shopping here is extremely limited, so we have to buy a lot over the internet which makes it impossible to try out first. I found two Brenthaven laptop bags in town, both 15", no backpacks and not much variety in other brands, either, no Belkin backpacks although it looks nice. Is the computer compartment well-padded on the sides and bottom?
 
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carolina

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I don't understand, you roll your laptop on wheels and carry your bag on your shoulders? Or do you mean bag as in purse? I don't carry a purse that's why the backpack needs room for more than just laptop.
Precisely - even when I have a backpack.
 

rosiemac

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I've only travelled with mine once and once was enough with that in a carrying case and a small suitcase.

Thankfully when l go to London it's just 3 hours on the train so my phone does the job perfectly.
 

Ms. Freya

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My husband used to have to haul his on the train everyday and used a daypack from MEC precisely because he needed to add a ton of other stuff the the bag and not have it hurt his shoulders. He uses an older version of this: http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Hikin...opLoad/PRD~5024-833/mec-spirit-30-daypack.jsp

because it was $25 on clearance and he can strap tools and a hardhat to the ice-axe loops. His laptop fits just fine in it and the compression starps stop it from shifting if the bag isn't full.

They do have laptop backpacks, Mike just opted of something more multi-pupose.

Hope that helps.
 
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swampwitch

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Thanks for the replies. It looks like I have to travel for 1+ week every 3-4 months, I really don't like flying and airports so am trying to make it easier on myself.

I don't know about a rolling laptop case, my suitcase rolls (by far easiest & best have 4 wheels that turn in every direction!) so two rolling things = no hands, while backpack and rolling suitcase = 1 hand. You've got to have at least one hand available for coffee and/or passport & boarding passes. Going through customs means picking up your suitcase and going through security again, and then rechecking your suitcase all in lines for about 6 people in uniforms who every few feet want to see your passport and boarding passes. ugh.

This backpack straps to your suitcase handle, that might work. These "security" bags might make airports a little less painful, you open it up and the laptop is in basically a sleeve so it can be scanned without taking it out. You have to scroll down:  http://www.caselogic.com/security_f...il/index.cfm?modelid=136262&productid=1353291 I don't know if it's a good one, though, can't try it out first. It's just 2 lbs. 7 oz.

Does anybody else "opt out" of the scanning machines or am I the only one? (Hardly ever see anyone else opt out.)
 
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jazzythecat

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In my job, I always need to carry my laptop around with me, what with travelling around the world and such. I use a Targus case, I forget the name at the moment, it is a very tough case, although I carry it on my shoulder. I suppose there is the slightly larger risk of damage although it does the job well, suffered a few batterings and still around.

I'll try to find you the name of the case if you want it.
 

nebula

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I use a Swiss Gear from Amazon , here is the link- very lightweight and comfortable

 
 
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