Laptop Carrying Solutions?

[flying_hun]

I carry mine in a side case inside a laptop bag. Of the solutions you suggested, the sleeve inside a Pelican case inside your Ventura bag would be a good solution.

 

[Nemo Brinker]

I carry mine in a side case inside a laptop bag. Of the solutions you suggested, the sleeve inside a Pelican case inside your Ventura bag would be a good solution.

Yeah, I may have to look at that. The interior of the Pelican case is filled with shape-able foam, so no sleeve likely needed. Plus I could get another foam insert and shape it to fit my handguns, and the whole thing could pull double duty.

(PS flying hun--thanks for the Olympia Airglide review--I got a pair this winter and have been enjoying 'em).

 

[Moto4Fun]

I used to roll with the Wenger or Swiss Army computer back back (the ones the sell at Office Depot and Staples), and currently use a Columbia laptop specific back pack. I was in a moto accident where the front of me and my bike took the major forces and the laptop was fine. In fact I rolled off to the median and sat on the curb and it wasn't until the ambulance came that I remembered that I even had it on. No problems with the laptop. Accidents will vary though, and I imagine the Pelican Case strapped to you back would be the only solution that would really survive a major incident. I like a back pack that is a)padded and vented on the back b) chest strap c)laptop specific padded insert and d) sits as flat as possible against my back.

 

[flying_hun]

(PS flying hun--thanks for the Olympia Airglide review--I got a pair this winter and have been enjoying 'em).

You're welcome! I should ask those people for a discount. I bought one of their hi viz yellow AST jackets this autumn. It looks like it should need batteries it's so bright!

 

[TylerW]

I carry mine in a side case inside a laptop bag. Of the solutions you suggested, the sleeve inside a Pelican case inside your Ventura bag would be a good solution.

Yup, if your solution calls for safety of you and your laptop both being tantamount, and you don't mind spending a little extra, this is your best option.

I've traveled the world with pelican cases, usually as checked luggage. I don't think you can actually destroy them.

 

[tchaftantouri]

The northface "surge" is how I carry my laptop around.
The straps are padded, there is some netting on them for a cell phone, and it has padding between your back and the contents of the pack.
If I don't want to carry it on my back, I just use a bungie net to attach it behind the seat. I carry both my 15" laptop and a pixma portable printer with no problems, and it is comfortable to get around with after I get off the bike.

 

[Menke]

I have a Cortech Sport tailbag that expands to laptop-carrying size. I figure that's the safest place for electronics. I put my dSLR there, too, during roadtrips.

+2

I've been using the Cortech for over 3 years now, rain and shine.

Since it's a work laptop, we just get the Dell "complete care". Maybe once a year I call support - "some keys don't work, case is cracked, dented, power cord is frayed." They send a tech, swap all the parts, and everything is okay dokey.

 

[PhoS]

I have a mobile edge currier bag that has a waist strap. Works perfectly.

 

[goodness-707]

I carry my laptop in a Cortech tail bag. Mostly because I prefer the comfort of not having 10 pounds of shit on my back. I've heard plenty of intelligent people say that the vibrations are bad for the hard drive, but something like 25-35% of new drives die within their warranty period under normal use, so it's not like I'm destabilizing something that was super stable to begin with. I backup work stuff at work, and run a backup script nightly. I figure the hard drive is sacrificial anyhow. If I stack (and still have use of my eyes and fingers) it'll be a good excuse to buy a new laptop.

At the end of the day, the data is far more important than the laptop anyhow, and I've always got that backed up.

 

[mobius9]

Instead of spending the money on a good case for the laptop, why not get a dell protection plan? Obviously it only applies to dell laptops, but even if it gets injured while not riding, its covered. I ride with a 15" inside of a Ogio Metro pack, I have to have a bigger pack to fit all my school items in. Another thing to keep in mind is that it's a pain to take on and off with padded leathers, especially when it's full. I guess that's why I see a lot of people at college with the over-the-shoulder strap type of bags (where I commute to). Just food for thought.

 

[Nemo Brinker]

Instead of spending the money on a good case for the laptop, why not get a dell protection plan? Obviously it only applies to dell laptops, but even if it gets injured while not riding, its covered.

Probably not "instead of," but that's a good idea. Backups for teh preshuzzz dataz are in the plan, too.

 

[NOsquid]

I would just get a typical lightly padded sleeve and throw it in whatever bag you're carrying. And backup your stuff at home/work regularly like you should be doing anyway. In a street crash you've got much bigger worries than a laptop.

 

[ntula]

i have an axio and it is great. protects it well enough. i would get 'you look like a ninja turtle' comments, but who cares...

another option is to get a sleeve and panniers. i have used both, but favour the backpack as your body acts to reduce shock to it.

 

[mikhail]

I have a Nelson-Rigg tail bag that I bungee cord down to the bike, then I have my laptop in a sleeve which I use a bungee cord net to tie down to the bag. Then, I put the included N-R rain cover over the entire package to keep zippers and straps from flying around. Works great and there is plenty of padding.

I don't like wearing backpacks while riding.

 

[mikhail]

I wonder if comprehensive or collision insurance would cover a laptop if you were carrying it on your bike and it was destroyed in a crash?

 

[JD_McKenna]

I'm gonna second the padded tailbag or saddlebag idea. Also, if this is gonna be your only computer, then backing up on a weekly basis is a good idea.