Bags & Cases

Buying a laptop bag

With a wide range of laptop bags and cases to choose from, picking the right one to suit your needs can be tricky. Here are some of the key considerations to factor. Start by thinking about the main purpose of the bag. What will you be carrying and where are you taking it to? Are you a minimalist just looking for a case to fit a laptop and not much else into or do you need a bag that will also accommodate books, bottles, stationery, gym gear etc? Your typical journey will shape your product choice too. If you'll often be exposed to the elements, a weather resistant laptop bag is a must. If you're working out of an office, the style of case could be important; a messenger style laptop bag might be more appropriate than a brightly coloured sporty rucksack for example.

Carrying style

Comfort is also important, particularly if you need to lug a laptop around for long periods of time. Laptop cases vary by carry style ranging from the backpack style bags which are probably the best choice for comfort over long distances. They're great for distributing the load evenly thanks to having two straps and another bonus is that they leave your hands free to do other things. On the flip side, they don't look as sleek and professional as some of the other bag styles and can be more of a pain to use if you typically only use the bag over a short distance (e.g. from the car to the office). In such cases, a tote bag or briefcase style case could be a better option.

Storage capacity

Once you've settled on the type of laptop bag you next need to ensure it has the right capacity for your equipment. Capacity is often reported in litres but is not a standard industry measurement so take any reported figures with a pinch of salt as they vary from brand to brand. The advertised sleeve size (the section of the bag that holds your laptop) should obviously be big enough to fit your laptop but not any bigger; you don't want your laptop sliding around in transit potentially getting damaged. If you're a traveller, you might want to factor any size restrictions you have to adhere to such as hand luggage limitations in airports.

Storage compartments

What about pockets and other storage compartments? You'll want a padded sleeve for the laptop but how many other sections do you need in your bag? Some people like to keep things simple with a small number of pockets and one main section where they can chuck everything in whereas others prefer the structure of dedicated storage sections designed to house specific items such as pens, bottles etc. If you typically carry odd shaped/sized items, a less structured bag will suit you better. How you access these compartments (whether from the top, side or front) might seem trivial but can quickly become annoying if it's not quick and easy.

Damage prevention & security

Security and protection may be important considerations for you. Firstly, look at the features the bag offers to protect the laptop from accidental damage. Some bags have false bottoms which protects your laptop from sudden drops. Others have nests or caches that effectively suspend your laptop in the centre of the sleeve protecting it from all sides. The inside lining of the bag might be relevant too! Some bags have soft linings making it less likely your hands or equipment will get scratched taking stuff in and out. If potential theft is a worry, some bags provide extra security features such as lockable zips, rip-proof materials, hidden or RFID-safe pockets and inward facing pockets that face into your body to deter pickpockets.

Construction material

Laptop bags are manufactured using a range of different materials. Many are made from polyester or nylon which are lightweight and give good durability. Other materials include Cordura which is more textured and offers more strength. You will also find canvas and leather bags for sale; these can give a more classy, professional look but are usually heavier and less resistant to the weather and general wear and tear. The type of zips, buckles, strap adjusters and other fasteners used is also worth looking at. Cheap zips for example can break rendering your bag unusable. Like most things in life, you usually get what you pay for so it may be worth paying a little more for a premium laptop case that will stand the test of time. Premium laptop bags often come with premium warranties with the manufacturer repairing any damage as long as you own it.