Way to carry around a 16" laptop at college?

I start college this fall and the laptop I chose to get is a 16" screen. Im pretty sure I am going to need to carry it around a lot and Im wondering what is the best way to do this? Should I buy a sleeve and put it in a tote, or a messenger bag, or a backpack? or should I get a 16" laptop backpack / messenger? Keep in mind. I am tiny. I am a 5'4" petite girl. Im trying to avoid a backpack that will consume my body, thanks.

Any suggestions? I am completely lost!

 

I would go for the messenger bag since you wouldn't want to risk dropping it

 

The messenger bag will strain your body more than the backpack.

 

Hi..
If me,I dont recommend a backpack for a lady..
Try these links:

http://www.targus.com/us/cases_notebook_womens.asp?Member=2&Group=1&PageNumber=1

http://shop.samsonite.com/storefront/backpacks-duffels/cC25-p1.html

 

Why? I recommend backpacks to my girl and my other female friends.

 

I would have picked a smaller size screen notebook. But oh well.

A messenger bag would destroy someone's shoulder. I would go with a backpack so you can use both shoulders to carry the load. As for the backpack, I don't have the slightest clue on which is the best so I can't help you there.

 

I do agree with you..but TS has stated that she is a tiny girl..so,a backpack for 16" laptop will make the backpack looks bigger than her..
That's why i recommend to pick up ladies bag for laptop in the links.

 

Haha, you're right. That would look really awkward.

 

Can give details about your laptop?
Just curious..

 

Its a Toshiba Satellite A500 But it has the 12-cell battery so it sticks out from the bottom to elevate it. :]


And the reason Im getting such a large laptop is that it is also a desktop replacement for me in a way. i dont own a desktop and I do not wish to. I've been using a 15.4 inch laptop in highschool and I have carried it around a couple times in a plain messenger bag. It did hurt my shoulder but I got used to it. .6 of an inch doesn't seem that drastic to me. Anything smaller seems to small, to me.. seeing how it is my main computer out of college, too.

 

Hihi..nice choice..gudluck in your search for a new bag..

 

Id suggest a backpack.

Look at the Lowepro Tropolis 1300 (17"). Its an excellent backpack and will give you some exra room for books and stuff .
See Here
Buy Here

 

Next time, get a smaller laptop and a external screen at home you can plug on the laptop.


also, this will help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soup thats what my mum always told me when i was a kid anyway.

I sense a ban stick...

go to your PC retailer and try out what fits best for you is all I can recommend.

 

...........

 

I just ordered a Tom Bihn Brain Cell (in the 2M size) for my 16" laptop, which I intend to carry in a messenger bag that I already own:

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0300

Sounds like you need something a little more versatile, though. How do the dimensions look on THIS Bihn bag...?

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/100/TB0103

One of the features touted in the sidebar: "New shoulder straps that are more comfortable for everyone from Tom (6'0") to Darcy (5'5")." I'm just not 100% sure that your laptop would fit in it.

Regards,
Corporate Dog

 

I start college this fall and the laptop I got is a 16" Toshiba Satellite A500 and I am in love with it. I am a petite 5'4" - 100 Lbs girl, and I was wondering what is the best way to carry this beast around campus when I need too. I wont need it for everyclass but it is always a plus. I am commuting if that makes any difference. Oh, and the Toshiba has the 12 cell battery so it juts out of the bottom a smidge.

I've been debating between a:
Sleeve + Normal Backpack.
Laptop Backpack
Messenger bag ( though they seem painful.. )

Any suggestions, hints, tips, advice? All is apriciated!~

 

I think a messenger bag would look the most normal, but a backpack is likely more comfortable. To fit your 16in laptop you'll probably have to buy a 17in laptop backpack, most of which are quite large and may look awkward on your frame. Personally, I would go for the laptop backpack because I think comfort is probably more important and there may be slimmer 17in backpacks available.

 

The messenger bag, while perhaps looking better, isn't as practical unless you swap shoulders. If not, you'll experience stress only on one side and that won't work. I used to have a regular messenger bag for school and just carrying around my textbooks in it was a bit of a pain(granted my textbooks weighed more than my laptop lol ).

The backpack would be better for both comfort and efficiency. Chances are you can fit more stuff in the backpack than in the messenger bag as the backpack can be a bit thicker and not look weird whereas a thick messenger bag might look a bit awkward(and it'll be weird to use as well). Who cares about looks anyways!? You're a student, carrying a backpack is what you do! lol

Do you have other things to carry around except your laptop btw? Any books, pens, textbooks?

 

For college, I bring my Dell XPS M1530 (15") by Sleeve+Normal Backpack.

I pretty much just put the notebook in the sleeve Dell provided, and place both in my Vans skate backpack. I actually bought a Case Logic laptop case but find it a tad too heavy and too business-like to lug around campus.

I wouldn't recommend a messenger bag for your laptop since it most likely will be a pain carrying something that big messenger-style. However, Timbuk2 makes a few messengers for 17" laptops which look cool and Belkin has some you can check out here and here.

From the Toshiba Website, these bags seem to fit the A500 like a glove:
Toshiba 16” Lightweight BackPack
Toshiba 16-inch Lightweight Carrying Case
Targus 17” Laptop Slip Case

For backpacks, the Belkin 17" Energy Collection Backpack looks reliable and Targus has a few which fit 16".

Lastly, for laptop sleeves, you can checkout Case Logic's offerings for 16" notebooks here. The reversible ones look pretty cool with two different colors and all.

I would go for Sleeve+Normal Backpack or Laptop Backpack specially if you're gonna carry other stuff for school aside from your notebook.

 

Hey, didn't you previously make a very similar thread?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5041437#post5041437

Why not just *bomp* it, and continue there vs. creating a new one?
It had some great information!

Cin...

 

Merged your threads. There is no need for 2 threads on the same topic.

 

I agree that you should avoid a messenger bag. Not only does it not distribute weight evenly and throws off your posture, but it'll wear through unevenly since you're essentially placing twice load on the should strap when compared to a normal backpack. Especially with a 16" notebook, you'll be really feeling it at the end of the day.

 

Oops! Totally forgot I had another thread like this. D:

Does the sleeve + regular backpack protect the laptop? Cause im thinking that would look the least awkward on me, since I am so tiny.

 

that would work just fine. These sleeves have pretty good padding so this might be the best choice for you as it will still be protected in your back pack.

 

The sleeve+regular backpack will protect it a lot. It's protected my Dell XPS M1530 from falls and various weather (rain soaking my backpack but not getting to my notebook). Well maybe that's because Dell provided such a sturdy sleeve. Just get a heavy-duty sleeve for it and your notebook should be fine.

 

Almost all girls at my college use backpacks. Its by far the most logical choice. You might have 2 classes in a row and need to carry 2 textbooks as well at some point (if your professors actually want you to bring them). Unless you can get everywhere within 5 minutes you will regret getting a messenger bag.

 

I would definitely do the sleeve and the backpack. If I had to carry a 15.4" machine around a lot I would do a backpack. The main reason I like backpacks is that you can distribute the weight evenly on each shoulder with backpacks, where with other bags that can be hard. Even though a backpack might be slightly bigger than other bags, it will be a lot more comfortable. And with the extra padding they are coming with these days you should be fine with one.

 

Would there be that much of a difference between a laptop backpack(A) and a sleeve+backpack combo(B)? I mean, the only ones I could find would be the fact that in A, the "padding case" is actually a part of the bag and therefore wouldn't shift while in B it's a detachable part(mind you certain laptop backpacks can do that as well). Only other difference I could find is price and style of the said bag.

Care to enlighten me why one would chose one over the other? They seem the same in terms of efficiency and "mechanics"

 

How about a Belkin? http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=gen&c=us&l=en&cs=&k=belkin+slim&cat=all

They look pretty slim.

 

Good point. I think there's a really thin line nowadays between laptop backpacks and backpacks+sleeves. However, I think bags made for laptops would provide more protection simply because they are tailor-fit to your laptops needs. If you think about it, companies make laptop backpacks for the sole purpose of protecting your laptop; and after that, just embellishing other lesser add-on details like compartments for your folders, books, pens, etc.

On the other hand, backpack companies make backpacks for uses other than storing your laptop (my Vans backpack's primary function is to hold a skateboard and school supplies -Vans expects all students to bring their skateboard to school ).

I think laptop sleeves are only meant to protect your notebook from minor cuts and scratches whereas laptop bags will most likely protect your laptop from falls and heavy damage.

I guess it comes down to the compatibility of a laptop sleeve to fit a backpack well. If you have a backpack with a lot of inner space for books to scatter around (like most one-zipper Jansport bags), then you're gonna need a thick, heavy-duty sleeve. But if you have a backpack with a lot of filing compartments, then a normal sleeve would do.