Traveling with a notebook -Part 1- Messenger/sling bag, backpack or just sleeve?

Hello everyone this would be the first of a few threads for collecting information. I am going to write a guide/information thingy for people traveling with a notebook. Whether its everyday traveling, or by other means of transport. When this is done...it will be posted somewhere on NBR Where? I havent decided yet hehe.

So the 1st part is gona be a poll about what you carry your notebook with. Please provide reasons, experience and any advice you have!

Thanks Everyone!

 

I voted for the shoulder bag which is home for my bigger notebook, but my Sony G11 usually lives in a sleeve.

John

 

I use one of several Messenger bags, usually copuled with a sleeve.

 

Much easier on the back to travel with a backpack - when you have all travel necessities loaded up (laptop, DS, book, etc, etc). The more the weight, the more the need to better distribute that weight.

 

Messenger bag for me.

 

I just bought the belkin 15" messenger bag. Awesome notebook compartment and cushioning with 360deg protection. No need for other sleeves. It also has so many pockets and places to put stuff

Messenger/sling bags are easier to carry around. Ive tried the backpack before, it can be annoying putting it on and off specially when wearing a suit.

Much easier with a messenger bag. Although when walking around a backpack will feel lighter since its on both your shoulders. The belkin bag has a big strap w/ tiny cushion so it doesnt strain one side of your shoulder too much

 

Thanks for all the votes and posts so far!

Keep'em coming!

 

Does anybody else have too many bags? I have like 7 or 8, if you count my briefcase.

 

Ha, yeah I've been giving some of my old bags away. I'm now down to a small travel backpack, a big photo-gear/computer combo backpack, a roller, and a standard softshell briefcase - the small backpack sees the most use, and is now due for replacement.

 

I used to use my standard Diesel messenger bag (which i still love), but I'm now using a Samsonite bag I took from my brother.

 

Hey Johnny!
Messenger bag for me with sleeve contained within )))

 

Geez Fara you have so many bags! But then again I am thinking of adding a 3rd to my collection...Pakuma Charoka K2 anyone?

 

This needs alittle bump!

 

I have a laptop bag with a laptop compartment that has straps to hold the laptop steady, and a little sleeve for papers or CDs (I keep my Vista, GParted, and Ubuntu disks there), and another compartment above that where I keep my AC adapter, USB 2.0 cable, external HD, LAN cable, cleaning cloth, earbuds, audio splitter, AUX cable, wireless mouse, and carrying strap.

Normally I carry it by the handle like a briefcase, but I can use that carrying strap for longer hauls.

Btw, it's not a hard shell, but just vinyl.

 

WOW, I guess you don't pack lightly , do you carry all of that everyday? (like to school or something)

Me, I used to use a notebook bag (the usual black case with a shoulder strap, pockets, etc.) but it was really bulky to carry that plus a backpack around campus. I would hurt a lot too afterward. It was also yet another bag for me to possibly lose, (horrible memory ) and since I rode the public bus to and from campus at first and had to stand at some pretty shady looking bus stops, (nothing against public transportation or anything, I loved being able to not pay for expensive gas and such [student discount FTW!], and also got to relax) I wanted to stop carrying something around that screamed "Look, there's something worth hundreds of dollars inside me!"

So I started using my regular backpack, and still do even though I drive now. I don't have a sleeve (yet) but so far my laptop has held up just fine, and my back and shoulders thank me

 

I also have a selection of bags and sleeves, probably around 10 in total, to suit which computer and how much else I need to carry. My collection includes backpacks if I need to use the bike.

Some bags look nice but are too heavy, even when empty.

John

 

mhm That very true! I was looking at the Manhattan Portage Bike messenger bag the other day...(cost a fortune) Very durable materials but very heavy, doesnt even have many compartments.

Also I ordered the Pakuma Choroka K2 yesterday, waiting for it to arrive!

 

padded jansport for me

 

Yes. I carry it every day to school.

 

Looks like I am one of the few that is "underpacking", I only have 3 bags? If you take into account my book bags...

I used a Targus messenger bag to carry my laptop, it work great.

 

Hey Johnny, I just saw the link in your sig.

I voted for backpack, because shoulderbag/messenger bags are very uncomfortable.
Plus no messenger bag can fit my modded laptop
I really think that messenger bags are a bad idea, cause it is very easy for someone to come up and steal your notebook.
I use a backpack, the kind with the two huge padded shoulder straps, and two of those heavy plastic clips which wrap around ones chest, so that the backpack does not come off.
I use a custom made stainless steel sleeve, so that I cannot break my laptop.
The sleeve is made of 3/8" thick steel, which is stronge enough, that it can be run over with a car before breaking my laptop
I have 3" of foam glued to all of the sides of the sleeve, so that my precious Voodoo laptop does not break.
I cut the foam in such a way that the computer fits perfectly into the foam, this way the machine cannot rattle inside my laptop.

Even with some of my smaller laptops, I just find messenger bags really uncomfortable.

K-TRON

 

Thank K-Tron! I do find my messenger bag uncomfortable at times, especially when I am walking around the airport...lol I will see how my new one does. The problem is with a back pack I just end up putting more stuff in, so the weight kind of balances out...lol silly me.

 

I use a Swiss Army laptop backpack. Fits my ASUS 15" notebook perfectly. Able to carry about 2 thick school books, a paper notebook or two, calculator, laptop AC adapter, pen, laptop mouse, USB cable, flashlight, and still have the 2 rather large side pockets to fill. I can wear it comfortably for a long while.

I mainly use it for school, but I do use it for travel as well. My backpack is usually the only thing I take when fly. Best backpack I have ever had.

Messenger bags are extremely uncomfortable to me.

 

Also good defence against anti-tank weapons? 3/8" is the thickness of the standard 2.5" HDD. Maybe my quick calculation is wrong, but I'm getting a weight of around 30kg (67 lbs) for your armour-plated sleeve. I would have thought you would put wheels on it and pull it around.

John

 

I spent six months overseas working and traveling. For everyday I used my notebook specific backpack. But when I was backpacking/traveling around, I used just a sleeve and stored that in my large hiking/camping backpack.

 

I am awaiting my new 1720 from Dell and with that I ordered a Belkin Sleeve to fit. Plan to use that for awhile and then make the decision on if a messenger/backpack will be better. From the poll results, it may be best to get a bag for sure.

 

I have a T61p and have recently ordered a wenger pegasus backpack for overseas travel and a skooba satchel for every day needs. Cant wait to receive them both

 

Well as the poll has over 50 people voted...I am gona make part 2 soon OF course more opinions are welcome.

I might not be making sense since i woke up at 4 am and am at the HK international airport at the moment using their free wifi...

My bag is weighting 4.1Kg today with my [email protected]. The shoulder strap on my bag isnt very good...-.-'' And my new bag is out of stock so i'll have to wait abit longer...

 

I'm actually looking for a new bag. I've used wenger and samsonite and then cheaper stuff like targus. Anyway, I've got a 14.1" notebook coming this week and would like to get a sling bag possibly. I ride a motorcycle during the summer and while I don't like backpacks, I think a sling would be simple enough. I want as stripped down as possible. I'm running into a problem with most bag sites, no way to specify screen size. I don't want to use a case that can hold a 17" notebook but I also don't want to browse through 500 computer cases reading their dimensions. Any recommendations?

 

belkin 15.1" sling bag... simple whilst very good 360 degree padding protection and alot of pockets

 

it's a 15.4" btw but I just ordered one anyway, freakin sweet looking! I also just remembered that I have the extended life 12cell battery in this notebook so I might need the extra space. Thanks for the great recommendation!

 

i opted for the messenger/sling bag while carrying my laptop on the go. somehow i feel more comfortable and more confident with it than with a backpack. It's a lot easier to take out or put in your laptop too. It saves you a couple of movements compared to that of a backpack..=)

 

I have this: http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/laptop/commute but in a brown/black/brown color combination for my M1330.

 

Yay for guide comming. Could you include a section for durable cases... I ride tokyo trains daily and there are roughly 100 000 people on 10 carts on the train >.< 10 minutes of pushing like a foot ball player on the train and then holding laptop above head...

 

You mean like metal cases??? I dunno much about them But if anyway who have had experience with them could contact me that would be awesome.

 

I do own one but it chiped glass on train >.<

 

lol

I would be great if you can provide me with some info! Pictures would be great too, also talk about your experiences with it...

 

Here is my Messenger Bag!! And, I just love it It's really cool

It works well for me

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1YJTXTGFDFQ17DM4C9NA

 

i just use a khaki messenger bag. not even meant for laptops. i bought it mostly for style, and i just happened to eventually put my laptop in it.

its good though, the zippered top allows for easy reachability of the laptop

 

Sorry... it was confiscated ( without any reperation ) for the window incident >.< those jerks.

 

:O they did that?!!?

Well i received my new bag today! yay! Here are some pics... There is a pic with my friend's G1S in it.

 

OK, there is definitely a story to be told there!

 

Being a Student at a University I find that the backpack is the most ideal.
I can pack it with books, water bottles, my laptop and all the gear that goes with it.
I find the messenger bags to be too cumbersome to carry around campus. with the backpack I carry everything in one bag and the weight is very nicely distributed with the two sholder straps and the weight belt.

 

interesting to hear!


Just adding another pic of my new bag. You can see my friend's G1S clearly in that one.

 

I use a Backpack. I used to have a messenger bag, but it put too much weight of my VAIO Brick i had on one arm. The backpack spans out he weight over my two shoulders and its better for me.

Lowepro is the brand. Great bag- ill post pics tomorrow when i feel like taking out the camera, lol.

 

Targus Init backpack for 15.4" notebook....

or

Kensington Contour backpack...

Anyone have one of these? I'm thinking of buying one.

 

I have a Wilson brand laptop messenger style pack. It has a good amount of compartments I can fit my Aspire 3680 notebook(14.1" wide screen) its AC charger, Ethernet cable, head phones(ear bub style), wireless mouse, 1 or two college books with a few folders and notebooks, and a planner with a slew of pens and pencils. Also has a mesh drink holder and a cell phone holder. I prefer the messenger bag style as its perfectly designed for laptops making it the safest way to keep mine safe. All of the compartments are made out of foam covered in nylon. It may put all its weight on one shoulder but I love its convenience.

 

I use a regular backpack and a notebook sleeve for protection. No need/money for fancy stuff in college.

 

Thanks for everyone's posts!

I better get part 2 started! Should be posted in 30mins...

 

I'm using a "bum back pack" fits my 17" very well and still has room for a ton of additional items including a tablet PC, some various adapters, cables, water bottle, PSP, magazines, books, notepads and pens and I have room for another bag on my back if I need it.