Hard Shell vs Soft Laptop Backpack

So I'm in the market for a laptop backpack for my new laptop that is coming in a week or so, and have been poking about the different sites listed in the laptop bags thread. I have about a half dozen bags I'm interested in, but wanted people's opinions about hard shell backpacks. Do they really grant that much more protection to the laptop than soft backpacks?

My worry is that the hard shell will make the bag more unweildy. Also, the hard shell packs tend to be on the higher end on price. So what do people think?

 

Hey there!
Personally..hard shell backpacks are not a choice for me..I think it comes down to what you really want!

I like soft backpacks..and I have a Synergy by Swiss gear..it does everything I need it to...Durable, protective, roomy, and pretty cool!

Hard shell's prolly do grant a bit more protection..but the softbacks are made of materials that pretty much protect the same!!

Hope that helps!

Cin

 

Hard Shells will protect the laptop more than soft shells in a stronger impact.

Dumb example, but give someone a pillow and someone else a metal plate with some padding on the inside - then throw a larger stone at them - the metal plate will give you better protection.

But: In normal use, I don't think you will need a hard shell - you won't be falling off bicycles, crawl through caves or be in na environment where stones could drop on it.

And as Cin said, in normal use a normal "oft backpack" will give your laptop plenty of protection.

 

Hmm, I might be riding a bike with it, which entails the risk of falling off said bike. The hard shell is starting to sound attractive.

 

I was thinking of falling of a bike - looked at your post you didn't mention it.

If you would fallof a bike then a hard shell is better, also in case you land on the backpack itself.

 

Buy a Zeroshock and a Wenger. With that amount of protection, your laptop will be able to survive low speed motorcycle crashes.

 

I bike ride alot...and I use my Synergy backpack specifically for that use, if I'm going to pack my lappy' for the ride. I haven't fallen yet ~ but I take care when I'm riding with my lappy' packed in the Synergy.

I would in no way take it *off road* riding, etc..

So..soft backpacks and hard shells do have their +'s/-'s...in the end it's your own preference.

Cin

 

Dude, I often took my 17" laptop to school in my standard backpack and I cycled to school across a forest, which meant a couple steep hills and rivers and streams.

I think a proper laptop rucksack will do just fine for practically anything.

 

Well, thanks for all your imputs. Not sure on what I've decided on yet, but I'll figure it out. I'm thinking I'll just lean on the "try not to fall off" side of things and go soft bag, as the hard seems like it could be a pain in the butt in lots of situations. And yes, that is the opposite of what I said last time.

 

Great idea~!

Do you have any idea now which one you may want to go with?

Synergy by Swiss Gear...FTW
http://www.amazon.com/SYNERGY-Swiss...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1243817668&sr=8-1

(I have some pics' of the Synergy, if you want to see, just let me know)


Cin

 

I'll have to pull up the ones I was looking at tomorrow when I'm back at work. I have all the links there, as that's where I was shopping.

 

Yeah, usually you can get some pretty good deals on backpacks from amazon.com...and, also www.ebags.com!


Cin

 

Here's what I got:

1: Timbuk2 Commute Daypack
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/laptop/commute-pack
2: Mcklenin Armitage
http://www.kolobags.com/product.php?productid=1208
3: Ogio Mastermind
http://www.kolobags.com/product.php?productid=1009
4: Armor Gear Pack-A-Derm XL
http://www.armorgear.com/Backpacks/Armor-Gear-The-Pack-A-Derm-XL.asp
5: Axio Tekno
http://www.axio-usa.com/tekno_black.html
6: Ballistix Aura Pro-Tour
http://www.slappa.com/aura-pro-tour-laptop-backpack-black?sc=2&category=650

I should mention that I like understated bags, and ones with not as well known brands. I like bags that don't shout "HEY THERE'S A LAPTOP IN HERE STEAL ME NOW!" But I also like things that aren't very garish anyway, as a matter of personal taste. I do also kind of like the build your own bag backpack from Timbuk2, but I don't like the fact that it is a flap, not zipper backpack.

 

Zippers can wear out - flaps generally don't... oh, and they don't break out of nowhere - zippers sometimes do

 

But things don't accidentally fall out of a zipper-close bag. They can from a flap-close.

 

How is the room inside the synergy? As a college bound student---this backpack looks enticing to hold my laptop and books...if it can?

 

No, because there is generally some fabric to close the backpack under the flap.

I wouldn't discard them just like that - look at them in a shop - and get what suits you most.

 

There is a TON of room in the Synergy!!! You will not go wrong if you decide on purchasing it!!!

One of the reasons I got it was for it being roomy, durable, and a awesomely made backpack!

I will post some pics for you this evening when I get home, if you want!


Cin