Choosing the right laptop bag

The best-reviewed laptop cases and sleeves offer high performance in a number of categories. As you shop, here's what to watch for:

  • Durability: The best bags are made from nearly indestructible fabrics, include sturdy zippers, are treated or include special features to keep contents from getting wet, and have reinforcement or coating in areas where they'll receive extra abuse (such as the bottom). Hardware should be sturdy plastic or metal, and seams should be double-stitched.
  • Protection: Look for full-coverage padding. Owners say they worry about laptop bags with thin padding, or that have padding only on the bottom. Suspending the laptop compartment well above the bottom of the bag can also help protect it. A hard outer shell also helps, but can be less comfortable to carry. Sections and sleeves that tightly fit your laptop computer can help reduce scuffing and provide better protection.
  • Comfort: Well-made bags have comfortable straps and padded sides, proportions that rest comfortably against the body, and pockets and compartments that are well placed and easy to open. Organization makes a big difference. Little things, like a key ring clip and a pocket for the laptop cord, are conveniences that owners say really count in the long run. Quick-removal options for your laptop speed airport security.
  • Appearance: Some notebook bags are high style, fitting right in with a designer wardrobe; others are utilitarian black monsters, best suited for a SWAT team's van. Brands identified with laptops may tip off thieves. Quite a few owners suggest using a padded laptop sleeve in a bag that doesn't advertise the presence of a notebook computer.
  • Warranty: High-end laptop bag manufacturers tend to offer limited lifetime warranties against manufacturing defects, but not all of them do. Cheaper bags may still have decent warranties, but the odds you'll dig up a receipt and return them to the maker are low. Users' experiences with customer service departments vary widely.
  • Value: In general, the more you pay for a laptop case, the better made it will be. But at some point you may end up paying for more than you need, especially if you change laptop models (and sizes) every couple of years.
  • Laptop size: Make sure your laptop will fit. This seems obvious, but manufacturers and retailers vary in the way they describe sizes, and a 15-inch widescreen may not fit a bag that holds a regular 15-inch laptop. Compare the actual measurements of your laptop to the laptop compartment.
  • Weight: Look for a balance between weight and durability -- many bags that are made of seriously tough stuff are still relatively light, and you'll feel every ounce if you use a laptop bag daily.

Value expectations: The dollars and cents of it

Laptop bags can last a lifetime or be obsolete in a year. Some of the very best bags include custom fit for the laptop compartment, which is a blessing in the short run -- your notebook computer won't shift around as you walk, and it has extra protection from bumps -- but may result in your replacing the bag sooner if you buy a laptop that won't fit. If you change laptop computers frequently, consider using a sleeve inside a larger case, so that when you swap models you can just replace the sleeve instead of the more expensive outer layer.

As with many things, there are distinct quality differences between entry-level and high-end laptop bags. The very best bags are made with leather or the thick ballistic nylon used in bulletproof vests, and they can quite literally last a lifetime. If you choose to buy one of these bags, consider what size you'll need for the long term, as they can cost hundreds of dollars. All other things being equal, messenger bags tend to cost slightly more than equivalent laptop backpacks.

Buying tactics and strategies

Some things to keep in mind as you purchase your laptop case:

  • Shop comparatively. The same bag may go for one price on one website and half that on another. We frequently found sales that didn't extend across all sites.
  • Count up extras. Some bags start out less expensive, but rapidly go up in price when you add on accessories (shoulder strap, strap pad, interior sleeves) you want. Others include those features in the base price. Be sure you're seeing the true bottom line when you compare prices.
  • Don't forget manufacturers' sites. On some company sites, you can score free shipping or extra accessories. Color and style choices may be more extensive. And some popular brands such as Tom Bihn may be available only on the manufacturer's site, where they can be customized.
  • Don't need a sleeve? Don't pay for one. Some high-end bags include a sleeve, but will reduce the price by $20 to $30 if you opt not to include it. If you already have a sleeve or don't need one, that can be one way to reduce a high-end laptop bag's bill.
  • Order accessories when you buy the bag. Typically, it's less expensive to buy any accessories you need at the same time you order the laptop bag. You'll likely get them shipped free as part of the bag package, and they're sometimes offered at a discount to notebook case buyers.
  • Get tips from bag makers. About.com's Melanie Pinola asked notebook bag manufacturers what advice they had for shoppers. You can see the resulting FAQ here. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

What's to come

Laptop bags change slowly, and a few of the best-reviewed models in our report have been on sale for years. In addition to bags specifically made to be frequent flier-friendly, we're seeing quite a few new slim top-loading notebook cases that are bulkier than sleeves but still TSA-certified even without special split-apart features. (That assumes, of course, that the inspectors at the gate allow you to send the new bags through without seeing them unfold or zip open.) Tiny bags for the new generation of smaller-screened laptops, including 13-inch Ultrabooks and MacBooks, are also becoming more popular, along with bags with tablet-specific compartments.

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