We'll be leaving for Italy in less than two weeks, and this will be the first time I'm traveling with a laptop. I have a Macbook, 13". We will have wifi at each of our accommodations, fortunately.
My question to all of you is: what kind of carrying case do you think I should get? I prefer to keep my laptop with me on the plane, so I will probably want to pack it into my backpack which I keep with me at all times.
I've seen some of those soft Neoprene cases and also hard shell cases. Anyone with experience with either of these, and any recommendations?
We've been traveling with Mac laptops for years and my husband is a big fan of not "cheaping out" on things like that. We've had a rolling high end laptop case we've used a lot as well as a hard case when we were flying over during a period when you weren't allowed to carry on a laptop. Even so, our laptop developed a crack at one of the hinges. It's not been a problem, but because of that I'd recommend a hard case. Even being careful one bump at the right place can have an effect. We got our hard rolling carry-on one at a photography store. It comes full of foam padding you can customize to fit all of your bits and pieces. Not super cheap but worth the investment, I think. Our laptop it bigger than yours and I think it cost about $250.
Posts: 287 | Location: Cool, CA | Registered: 17 February 2003
I'd get a messenger bag. It won't look like a target for the thieves. A nice one isn't cheap but not overly expensive either. If you're worried about bumps wrap the thing in bubble wrap.
If you're really worried and don't mind looking like a target various hard cases used to be one Ebay for very low prices. Most will be too big but some are shaped/sized like briefcases.
I travel with my laptop for work, and have a couple of ways to carry it depending on the situation. 1) Small rolling bag ($50 @ Kohl's) that slips onto my rolling suitcase handle, and fits under my airplane seat. Pros: It rolls; don't have to carry it. Holds more than just the laptop. Cons: Cumbersome, heavy compared to just a padded case. 2) Slim padded laptop case with handle ($15 @ Ross) that slips into a large over-the-shoulder tote. Pros: Lightweight, fits about anywhere. Cons: Laptop must be carried - on its own or in something else (in my case, a tote bag). Even with the weight of the laptop on my shoulder, this is my preferred method if I'm not traveling with other equipment.
Posts: 16055 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
My partner has had probably 10 laptops during the past 15 years. What you use for a laptop case or bag depends on what doing and where you are going.
If it is for business buy a proper padded laptop case that can be placed and hooked on top of your wheelie. There are plenty around and Staples like most business centres are a good place to get one. The better one as really good but can be as heavy as the laptop itself.
However for personal “slow light weight” travel especially when you are going to a variety of places like Italy, consider getting a simple padded sleevem that can be dropped inside a good daypack.
Mountain Equipment Coop here Canada sells one. I am sure REI in the States has something similar.
We have used something similar for the past 4 years for my partner’s laptop (It is Fujitsu 13 inch light weight laptop). We traveled around the world for almost one year like this, and we have made a number of trips back to Europe, especially Italy using this method to carry his laptop.
Normally he carries inside his day pack (you could choose to have a day pack with a padded sleeve built inside in for added protection). This way it is easy to carry along any other items for the day and it is not easily identifiable as a laptop case which can be stolen and will be stolen in busy crowded places.
I really like the idea of a little bubblewrap for extra cushioning inside the carrying case.
Since I'll be carrying the laptop inside my backpack, I don't think I'll need wheels. I never even thought of checking out Ross or Kohl's, Colleen. Both near me.
The Mac sleeve looks nice - maybe get a size larger than I need so I can add the bubble wrap.
Terry, over the years I have bought several laptop carriers--love buying luggage. The truth is, though, I don't use any of them. Often I just carry mine (which is small)in whatever I am carrying over my shoulder--big purse, carry bag, whatever. We do have a small case that we use for the myriad of electronics we carry--cameras, earphones, GPS, IPod and small speakers,phones, ethernet cord, and there must be more if I think hard enough. After going through all the checkpoints and settling in, I often put the computer in there just because it is easier to have all in the same place. But, I have found that carrying an extra something just for the computer to be a pain as it then takes the place of something that can do double duty.
If you are going to put it in your daypack then I would just get a neoprene sleeve. I love the ones by Built, they come in great funky designs and colors and every size imaginable.
I actually have a CaseLogic one in a nice red. These really are totally sufficient if you are then putting it in another bag or backpack, and add virtually no extra weight.
Janet, I had some Amazon points to use, so I just bought the BuiltNY in brown from Amazon - looks good. I think it will fit perfectly in my backpack, and that's where I always carry my electronic stuff while on the plane, so it will all be in one place.
Terry, please be extra vigilant when carrying your computer in a backpack. We once met a young woman in Italy who had her backpack straps slashed while standing in line somewhere, and lost her computer and many other valuables.
