Laptop bags are essential to maintaining the reliability and longevity of portable personal computers. There are literally thousands of different types of these multi-functional accessories to meet each individual’s needs and personal style. Some people would be satisfied to just use a plastic grocery bag to haul their equipment around, while the more sophisticated individual would prefer the stylistic high-end approach, like the Oakley SI vertical Computer Bag. This type of bag protects your laptop by using a lot of padding and is designed to be carried like a backpack. You can purchase many different types of laptop bags and even lightweight laptop sleeves for occasions when one might be in a hurry.
Many options in laptop bags
Laptop bags come in all shapes and sizes and colors. Laptop bags can be purchased with custom monograms and other trim, and at least one company makes an outer digital display for their laptop case. Also laptop bags can be made of numerous different types of materials ranging from hard and durable plastics, to nylons and polyesters. Laptop bags can come in many numerous types of leather from rawhide to alligator depending on what an individual is prepared to spend. Laptops bags can also function as briefcases for those who wish to want to project a more professional corporate type image.
Features of laptop bags
Laptop bags can be zippered or have a small fold-over flap. Some have dividers that are adjustable so that they can handle different laptop sizes, while others are specially designed for particular sizes and even models of laptop, from full-size down to netbook. Most laptop bags contain internal pockets to hold media, documents and peripheral equipment. Laptop bags may have external pockets for holding items such as tickets, maps or other documents as well as the type of packets that can expand like a file cabinet’s folders. Laptop bags can come with extended handles and wheels designed to help a user roll the bag as they walk vast distances. Some have locks for added security and theft prevention. Some laptop bags have their own internal power supplies, ac adaptors and pockets for cell phones or PDAs.
Messenger bags and backpacks for your laptop
A messenger style of laptop bag, like the popular and colorful models by Timbuk 2, can be much more casual in appearance. They usually have a full fold-over flap with pockets on the outside. They are usually soft and have shoulder or hand straps. Backpack-style laptop bags are much sportier and enable people on the move to keep their hands available in crowded areas or avail comfort for long distances. Both of these types of laptop bags tend to be designed outdoor use and are intended to be waterproof and otherwise stand up to the elements. Backpacks are useful when an individual needs a balanced load because of the shoulder strap functionality. Added stability can come from waist and chest straps. Backpack laptop bags can also have numerous compartments for other essentials, including files or equipment. They are much different from typical school type backpacks because they offer additional padding and restraints such as Velcro for protecting the equipment.
Laptop sleeves
Laptop sleeves (or “boots”) can be either an accessory to laptop bags or used in a standalone capacity. They are most often designed to fit snugly to a particular size of computer. They may zip or velcro or simply fold closed, or they may even be open on top. They can be secured inside laptop bags as another effective layer of padding and then pulled out when you’re only carrying your laptop down the hall or to a meeting. Often made of the latest materials to balance protection and bulk, they can be rigid and waterproof, or soft and padded. They are ideal for times when you need to save space and travel light. Some have carrying straps for occasions when mobility may become a factor.
What your laptop bag means to you
Now that the different types of laptop bags have been discussed, it should be easier to choose the type of bag necessary for each different situation and need. Laptop bags can be heavy, light or of a medium weight. It is up to you to take into account what type of work you will be doing with your laptop bag, what you want to carry and how much. However, if you’re having your equipment handled at airports, by taxi drivers, limousine drivers or bellhops constantly and you use a lightweight bag, you may be in for a shock when you pull your laptop out at the end of a long trip from here to there. That could cause a very tricky situation when you go to present that Power Point deck on why the government should to bail out your company. In conclusion, laptop bags are essential to maintaining the reliability and longevity of your portable personal computer. They are just as much an investment as the thought put into the personal portable device itself.