Laptop Backpacks

Parents Forum
21

<p>OK, I admit that my daughter didn't use her laptop glove and left it lying about o her bedroom floor unused....
but I cannot believe how lazy a kid is to worry about the time involved in using a case with a zipper. </p>

<p>I mean, I use mine all the time, even around the house - if my laptop isn't being used, I put it in the case and zip it up. (To my way of thinking, it is simple protection against spills, etc.) I'm pretty lazy about putting things away, but it doesn't take me any more time to zip up the laptop case than it does to zip up the fly on my jeans.... </p>

<p>I don't know about other families, but my daughter doesn't seem to worry about the time entailed in straightening her hair or painting her nails, or even in changing her outfits several times before deciding upon what she will wear for the day. I guess I should convince her that this is "personal grooming" for her laptop. (If they made a sleeve that she could decorate herself, I'm sure it would get plenty of attention)</p>

<p>Then again, my daughter has difficulty finding the time to put a dirty cup into the dishwasher, so I guess its just that all that personal grooming and shoe shopping and text messaging that is so important to her lifestyle just doesn't leave time for using zippers that aren't attached to clothes she is wearing.</p>

22

<p>Calmom:</p>

<p>a. You're talking about kids who can't be bothered to put laundry washed, dried and folded and even carried upstairs by mom into their drawers or hangers.</p>

<p>b. kids in high school have only 3 minutes "passing time" which means, 3 minutes to put their notebooks, laptops, etc... in their backpack, zip up said backpack and strap it on, then rush to the next class, where they''ll have to undo the whole process. If the sleeve is separate from the knapsack that's another separate set of steps.</p>

23

<p>My D bought a Victorinox (made by the swiss army knife people) that she loves - padding for the laptop and plenty of room for books, as you don't carry too many in college anyway. It's not unnattractive, and it's comfortable and not heavy. This seems like a personal decision, balancing tradeoffs.</p>

24

<p>My D ended up using her (very cute) sleeve for when she traveled and wanted to bring her laptop in a carry on bag or duffle. She uses the laptop backpack on other occasions. It has some extra padding in it, I believe is an Eastpak and wasn't extra bulky or heavy at all. Great color too. She was happy with both and uses each, just not together.</p>

25

<p>I have a Timbuk2 laptop sleeve (it actually looks like an envelope) that has a velcro closure. No zippers and it's really easy to slide my 15" Powerbook into after class. I usually put that into my North Face Yavapai backpack, which has a compartment for laptops (that isn't padded at all). I also have a Timbuk2 commute bag, which has its own padded laptop compartment, that I use frequently.</p>

26

<p>while laptop sleeves are good ideas, there's a much cheaper alternative (that i've been using for about a year, now). works best on smaller laptops (mine has a screen size of 10", about .75" thick when closed)</p>

<p>padded mailing envelopes - i use 9.5x13.5" (#4). they cost less than a dollar each and offer the same (if not more protection) than sleeves. no zippers to worry about - the top is open, so you can leave the bag in your backpack and pull the laptop out. and if it gets worn, throw it out and get a new envelope!</p>

27

<p>lkf725:</p>

<p>
[quote]
What brand of regular backpack has a sleeve?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The small one is Adidas:
<a href="http://www.zappos.com/n/p?dp=6155766&c=3548%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.zappos.com/n/p?dp=6155766&c=3548&lt;/a>
(the laptop sleeve looks like it's too small for 14-inch laptops, but mine fits ok)</p>

<p>S2 actually liked a bigger Wenger Swissgear computer backpack:
<a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13722609&RN=547&BTSMode=true%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13722609&RN=547&BTSMode=true&lt;/a>
(btw, they say they are the swiss army knife people) :)</p>

<p>and we also considered this Timberland
<a href="http://www.kimberleyco.com/Itemdesc%7Eic%7E67420414123%7Eeq%7E%7ETp%7E.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.kimberleyco.com/Itemdesc~ic~67420414123~eq~~Tp~.htm&lt;/a>
but decided it's too large. I don't remember what brand was the first one I bought, but it was very large, and the sleeve was not easily accessible.</p>

28

<p>I wonder how many kids would take better care of their laptops if they had paid for them themselves?</p>

29

<p>i like north face backpacks. You could look at the "modem" or "bandwith" backpacks. They are also really durable and last a long time.</p>

30

<p>I've noticed that some of the backpacks are made to be aerodynamic looking and are narrower at the top. I tried one out with the very nice Vyper sleeve and it didn't fit well (15.4 inch laptop). So I guess you need either a squarer or a taller backpack. Maybe that's one reason some backpacks are designated for laptops. My son really doesn't want to carry a backpack large enough to resemble luggage, so I'll check a few other stores!</p>

31

<p>Another great source is ebags.com. They have many different types to choose from for laptop backpacks.</p>

<p>I've used them two years in a row for S and D, and their quick, reasonably priced, and responsive to any customer service issues, should you have any.</p>

32

<p>Go with a real backpack from a reputable make like North Face. The 'laptop' backpacks from trendy brand makers don't hold up well.</p>