Notebook Travel Guide

Introduction

Travelling from A to B is part of everyone’s daily routine. More and more people are opting for notebooks instead of desktops, due to their portability. Whether you are taking it to work, class, or a LAN party, how you carry your notebook along with its accessories is an important consideration during and after the notebook purchasing process.

This guide will aim to help people pick a suitable notebook “carrier’’ and to give you a few useful hints on the do’s and don’ts when travelling with your precious investment. There are 3 parts to this guide with subjects spanning from picking the right bag and accessories to advices on packing your bag for a long trip.

Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there
- Will Rogers

Hope you enjoy this guide. More importantly, hope this helps with your next journey!



Table of contents

• Part 1 - Bags
• Part 2 - Coming soon
• Part 3 - Coming soon

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So lets get started with part 1!




The ''Laptop Bag''

Traditionally, when the term “laptop bag’’ (or laptop brief case) is mentioned, this sort of style of bags comes into mind…


The good old type design made purely for notebooks. They come in many shape and sizes, and are available from notebook manufacturers (usually rebranded), and big notebook accessory brands. Used by most professionals and corporate users, mainly because “it just works” and does exactly what it says on the box. They feature a well padded area within the bag and a strap to hold the notebook in place. They are usually quite rigid and durable, although they can be fairly heavy on their own. The bags are usually made from synthetic materials with a few high end products made from leather. In terms of comfort, they are pretty standard inline with messenger bags, though it might depend on the shoulder strap provided. At the end of the day if you don’t feel the pads that came with the bag are good enough, then you could always ditch the standard ones and purchase one of your own as there are wide selections available.

Usually they don’t have much room for much else except for the notebook and its charger plus some discs and a small book or two.

Deviating from the traditional style are modernised designs such as the one below…courtesy of NBR member John Ratsey’s snacks and accessories. As you can see it is quite stuffed, it features a much larger outer compartment for accessories and other goods. The design is edging more towards the “messenger style” bag.


If you are looking for something practical, and not too flashy, this is the one for you!


Messenger/shoulder

Many members participated in polls a while ago, the first poll asked about which type of bag members used. Messenger style bags topped the poll, with back pack trailing closely behind. Notebook sleeves by themselves came last out of the three.

So, let’s get on to messenger style bags. They have one strap going over the shoulder just like the traditional laptop bag, but they come in a large variety of shape and sizes. Original messenger bags were meant for telephone pole repairers in New York City, they were designed with easy access in mind so that workers can reach for their tools easily. Soon they were adapted by bike messengers and since then its popularity have risen dramatically. Since the 80s they are have became a fashion accessory for the masses, but also remained the choice of bike messengers.


So what made them so popular? Most bike messenger styled bags are made from durable canvas, and are designed to last. One of the main reasons is that the items inside remain easily accessible and have many useful compartments. There are many derivatives of the messenger bag. As a fashion accessory, it has downsized and its range of materials has increased too. This has resulted in many more designs and colours.

Notebook messenger bags differ from the traditional laptop bags greatly mostly because the main priority of the bag is not only the notebook, but also the contents. This meant that the notebook compartment does not take up the majority of space in the bag, but it takes form as a small compartment, almost like a “sleeve’’ attached to the insides. This leads to another option: users can choose to pick any type of messenger bag they want and put their notebook in sleeve of their choice and just put it in the bag, meaning there is no need to purchase a notebook specific bag.


In terms of notebook messenger bags, there are many established brands such as Belkin, Timbuk2, Crumpler and Targus. The notebook accessories orientated brands tend to aim to design a messenger style notebook bag, where as the more traditional messenger bag brands focus on the materials of the bag and its functionality with an added notebook compartment, but they do tend to cost more due to the use of premium materials and more demanding quality control.

Since the traditional messenger bags are designed for what its name says, they tend to have mountains of room for other goods. Even with the additional notebook compartment, I managed to fit 2 full size pillows into a messenger. On the other hand, notebook messenger bags are usually quite compact, essentially being a modernised version of the traditional laptop bag.


In conclusion, the messenger bag is popular because of the range of sizes and designs available on the market. The two main types of bags are the traditional messenger, which focuses on durability mixed with the traditional style that have attracted a strong following, and the “messenger style” bag offering good notebook protection whilst remaining stylish along with a affordable price tag.



Backpacks

Backpacks, or rucksacks as know in many parts of the world, are the preferred choice for comfort. Two straps distribute weight evenly on your shoulders in comparison to shoulder bags’ single strap design. Rucksacks also provide decent back support. The majority of backpack has a far superior capacity than standard shoulder bags; they also have many external compartments so that items can be easily accessed.

When comparing its notebook carrying abilities’, it in very similar to that of a messenger bag because it is essentially a special notebook compartment build into a backpack. Again, you can choose to purchase a standard backpack along with a notebook sleeve to be put into the bag.

While backpacks might not be considered as stylish by some people, the range of designs offered is definitely on par, if not better, than shoulder bags, with a selection ranging from camping packs to speciality notebook bags. Some designs even incorporate wheels and an extendable handle so that you can drag a heavy bag along.

The size of backpacks is a problem for some people, especially among those who frequently travel by public transport. It might be considered as “bulky”, and sometime it is hard to find space to place the bag on the floor and carrying it on your shoulders without knocking into someone can be difficult.

If capacity and comfort are high on your list, then backpacks would be an excellent choice!



Sleeves



Whilst bags have a good amount of space for AC adaptors, and other accessories some people might not require that and that is where a notebook sleeve will do a great job for people on short journeys such as going to your local library or coffee shop. Although they are only designed to carry a single notebook computer, you can easily fit some paper work inside, or maybe a few discs.

Notebook sleeves are usually made from neoprene, which is a soft material similar to that used for wet suits. For a higher level of protection there are notebook sleeves which have a hard shell, that although not totally rigid, provides extra protection for harder impacts. The downside is that they are usually slightly larger and not as light as their neoprene cousins.


Notebook sleeves come in a large variety of sizes and designs, so there will be one that will fit your notebook and style.




Hard shell/rugged

Some users may be required to take their notebook to non-everyday destinations. This could be field work, or to destinations where carrying a notebook with you is not an option (e.g. must be checked in, or put into a boot of a car). Or maybe, you just feel like a bit more protection for your notebook is required.

There are a few hard shell backpacks on the market. The “shell” is usually made from durable plastics and can withstand a certain degree of abuse. Of course this will not safe your notebook form the worst accidents.


There are also rugged cases. The outer shell is generally made from metal (usually aluminium, may differ for premium products or others which require an even higher amount of durability). The insides are usually padded with thick layers of foam to protect the notebook from shocks. The compartments are usually pre-cut to fit specific accessories therefore it is not very flexible in terms of what you can put inside the case. Of course with good build quality and extremely durable materials, it all comes at a higher price in comparison to other bags.


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Picking right one for you

There are several important factors to consider when choosing the right bag/sleeve for carrying your notebook. Below are a few important points.

Size of your notebook
The protection features are most effective when the sleeve/compartment fit your notebook snugly. This because a tight fit would mean that the notebook does not “hit” the padding when landing on impact, instead the padding will nicely cushion the notebook.

Notebook protection features of the bag
Some bags/cases pride themselves on protection features, whilst others might have other features or better style but only light protection. Perhaps you will pick your sleeve and bag separately. The choice is yours.

What other goods will you be carrying?
The capacity of the bag will be important if you carry a large amount of items with you daily. Cables, drives, paperwork, snacks, and drinks and take up room. Therefore it is very important to consider the amount of space you will require before making a purchase.

The length of your journey /comfort of the bag straps
This is important in terms of comfort. Whilst convenient, using a bag with poor padding will not be good for your shoulders in the long run. Individual pads are available for shoulder/messenger bags, some manufacturers even provide you with a choice. Also using a single strap bag regularly will put all the strain on one shoulder. Consider the distance of your journey and pick a bag that is comfortable for your shoulders will do much good for you!

Weight of the bag when unfilled
Certain materials whilst durable they are also much heavier when compared to others. This could add a significant amount towards the overall weight. Be sure to try out the bags.

The type of environment in which the bag will be used
You might require a rugged case, or you won’t need a bag at all! Don’t buy something you don’t need just because of looks and features. Consider your uses.

Looks/styling
The looks is an important factor for many people when purchasing a bag. A flashy bag might attract looks from people you might or might not want looks from. Sometimes a more subtle design hides the fact that you have an expensive notebook in your bag.


Below is the link to a thread where many member of NBR discussed which type(s) of bag they use and many great points were brought up, many of which contributed greatly to this part of the guide.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=240856
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This is the end of part 1. Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or suggestions, please sent me a PM or post in this thread. I am open to suggestions, and will edit the guide if I see any possible improvements.


Many Thanks to GraphX Service who created the banner and collage.


Version 1.0.2 [7th/7/2008]


Did you like this Post? Did you learn something from it? Then vote for it in the NBR Amazing Content Contest

 

GJ mate! Thanks

 

I agree, good job.

 

JJ, you have done an *awesome* job on this! Woot!

Kudo's to you! :yes:

Others, will surely find this helpful

 

when can we get next part?i m asking cos i m traveling Thursday

 

Okay, I finally got a few minutes to read it Johnny. Great job. :wink:

 

Sorry doc, part 2 is no way near done... In fact part 2 and 3 are probably gona take much longer than part one, since it would go into quite abit of detail on ''things''.

Part 2 will be on accessories and packing...

 

Excellent and very useful info. Thanks

 

Great report Johnny T.

 

hmm,not good,please try to finish 2nd part it by Tuesday

 

If you talk to me on IM I'd tell you how to pack...:laugh:

 

ok,i ll contact u tomorrow

 

Awesome

I am really lucky....i was suppose to decide which bag to chose from for my 1530 atrriving this monday....luckily you were the savior..thanks

MnVn

 

What do you have in mind?

 

I took the safer option, just ordered Dell nylon backpack, since i loved the space on that bag.

The only thing i think you should add in ur review is : To choose a bag, keep in mind, that it is not too flashy/expensive coz that will attract thieves towards the backpack/laptop

MnVn

 

Good work. Just keep your hands off my snacks!

John

 

Yes, good idea. I'll probably add that in tomorrow.

 

Good information. Cant wait to see the rest.

Im guessing you will also include info about international power adapter thingys.

 

Yup! Any particular details you were thinking of?

 

It might be enough to give a link to a site such as this and then tell the reader to check the label on the bottom of their PSU.

John

 

Woah! Thanks John.

 

Just a little Sunday bump.

 

Nice guide man, very useful and professional, good job!

+ Rep.

 

updates?

 

What updates Doc? Part 2 isn't coming for at least 2 weeks...I need to take some pics whilst packing this week, and some at the airport too.

 

Bump...along with a story.

Today my notebook bag has proved its worth after I...

1. Dumped my bag onto concrete pavement having forgotten that my notebook was inside.

2. Walked pass a lamp post but my bag swung across and hit the post...with the notebook compartment (were my hdd would have been) hitting the post.

I am typing on my notebook right now with no problems.

 

^^. Your bag seems quite good.

 

hehehe...

 

LMAO....

WTH? That's a pretty good bag, I'd say

 

Hmm, I need a new bag. I've been saying that for months, but still... And I've just thought of a great usage for my summerjob money.

 

Thank you for this guide.

 

Could you please tell me what that bag is called?

 

Its the Pakuma Choroka K2, not sure about US availability though, as the compnay is UK based. A similar option would be the Timbuk2 series of bags. Very similar styling and compartment design, but with a larger choice of style and colours. Its notebook compartment is slightly different though.

 

Very nice, Johnny!

 

Hmmm, I'm guessing this means it isn't recommended to just put a laptop in a stadard backpack with slightly more padding than usual and no notebook sleeve? Hasn't seemed to have had any adverse effects thus far, but I was a bit hesitant the first few times I did it.

 

Well I guess if it is well padded then it should be fine, my notebook sleeve that I used with my backpack was all that good anyway.

 

Thanks for your information.You can also mention the price of the product.

 

Great guide Johnny T! I finally got a chance to read the whole thing and I also voted in your Part 3 poll, can't wait to see these remaining parts.

 

Start of the week bump. Part 2 will be delayed, because my notebook is dead. But data was saved.

 

Bump of the day.

 

Bumpy bump!

 

Time for a bump.

 

I'm eagerly awaiting the second part

 

I am actually splitting part 2 into 2 parts... 1st part of part 2 should be comign very soon.

 

Good to hear Johnny T

 

GREAT guide.

 

Johnny,is this the final version?or you ll add more staff?

 

I did say there will be more to come. but I am quite busy at the moment.

 

Oooh thanks for the guide! It really helped me choose between a Messenger bag or a backpack (I chose the messenger bag). I look forward to reading the next guide soon; keep up the great work Johnny!

 

That's it! I hereby declare that I will not invest any more time checking here for the unveiling of sections 2 & 3 (don't worry, I'll probably break my word in another month or two and check back, ha-ha).