question about laptop bag

i've been on this site for a while and i must say it has been a valuable resource for picking my laptop. recently however, i realized that i'd be needing a good laptop bag to go with it.

the jansport burn seems pretty appealing to me but i was wondering about how protective and durable it really is. the price is great for me along with it's looks, but if it's not effective at protecting my investment then i might as well just use any other, non-laptop bag that i have.

so yeah, your feedback would be greatly appreciated along with other recommendations if necessary.

for reference my laptop is the gateway p-6860 fx
it's a 17" laptop

and here's a link for the jansport burn:

http://www.ebags.com/jansport/burn/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=109766

 

Are you looking for a backpack specifically? Or would a messenger bag be good too?

 

OUCH...a 17 inch laptop in a messenger bag is gonna KILL your shoulders.

17 inch laptops really need backpacks.

As many responses as you will get, you will get just as many different opinions on backpacks.

I am the resident Swiss Gear fan. I love them. Synergy, Pegasus, Maxxum and IBEX.

Others like Ogio, O'Neill, etc.

 

oh, yes i did want a messenger bag.

thanks for the info though, i guess i never realized how much of a difference a backpack makes in terms of carrying a heavy load.

i'll be checking out the brands that were mentioned.

 

Yes backpacks would be a better option, as for messenger bags, have a look at the Pakuma Choroka K1 on ebags, I have the K2 and I must say, the protection sleeve is impressive.

 

My favorite messenger bag is made by SpireUSA.

http://spireusa.com/products/bags.htm

They seem to have discontinued the one designed for 13-14 inch laptops. I have two of those. GREAT design, lots of compartments, well made, good looking...but, they kill my shoulder when overloaded. There is a "tipping point" as far as how much stuff you intend to carry when you kind of have to go the backpack route.

But...Spire has the best messenger bags I have seen thus far. When I carry my laptop in it, I also have the laptop itself in a sleeve WITHIN the messenger bag.

 

ah, i was wondering then, what would a good backpack be for me?

i've seen bags like the swiss gear synergy and such, but i want a bag that's a lot more protective than that. what's the most protective backpack i can get for my laptop?


btw, i really like those last two recommendations. if not a backpack than i may get one of those.

 

I would not put my laptop in anything less than the Brain Cell by Tom Bihn which provides the best straight drop protection I've seen of any bag/sleeve. Whereas most bags pad the computer, the brain cell suspends it in a shock mount like cradle. If you straight drop the brain cell, the bag hits the floor but the computer is isolated from the crash, it never touches the floor nor even the bottom of the bag.

Even if you never accidentally drop the bag, you will set down the bag 1000's of times and the computer will handle these countless minor bumps and bounces with no sweat when it is riding in the brain cell's trampoline rather than on a "protective" layer of foam.

 

oh wow, that bag sounds like it has just the protection i need.
you can never be too careful when it comes to protecting your laptop.