Laptop Bag Review

Introduction to Laptop Bags

Laptop bags come in several basic styles, each with its own advantages. Laptop briefcases and totes have the most professional look, especially when made of leather. Laptop totes in particular are often designed to be more fashionable -- looking more like a woman's handbag than like a laptop case. Laptop sleeves are sized to just cover the notebook computer. Often laptop sleeves are used inside a larger bag, for extra protection. Since this can make it less obvious that the outside bag holds a notebook computer, this combination is less tempting to thieves (at least that's the theory).

Three other styles of laptop bags are considered more ergonomic, making heavier contents easier to carry. Messenger bags have one long strap that can be worn on either shoulder or across the body. Their front flap makes contents easy to access. Backpack notebook bags have a separate compartment or sleeve to protect the laptop computer, plus one or two other compartments for additional supplies. One of their drawbacks is that they look too informal for some business settings. Rolling computer bags are a good solution for a heavy load. Some wheeled laptop bags convert to backpacks.

We found the most recent comparison review of laptop bags at Macworld, where four rolling computer bags are tested and rated. PC Magazine tests and rates laptop bags in more styles, giving the best models an Editors' Choice award. The Wall Street Journal tests five laptop backpacks, and National Geographic compares three laptop bags for water resistance, comfort and organization.

Because there are thousands of laptop bags flooding the market, finding agreement in reviews is a challenge. However, some brands and specific models do stand out. We've highlighted those bags in this report, but since laptop bags are driven in part by aesthetics, buying one is partly subjective.

The latest buzz is about new "checkpoint-ready" laptop bags and sleeves. These are designed to speed airport security by letting the x-ray machines get a good picture of a notebook computer while it's still in the bag. The buzz is accompanied by some skepticism about whether or not security personnel will still insist on removing the laptop for inspection regardless. The Transportation Security Administration reserves the right to do this, and though the TSA helps manufacturers test the new laptop bags, there's no actual certification. And if you've been through a few airports in the last year, you know that procedures seem to vary by airport.

Most laptop bags get good reviews and high average ratings, but owner-written and single-product reviews make it clear that small details and individual priorities can be key to an owner's satisfaction. For example, CODi Courier laptop messenger bag (*Est. $175) earns an Editors' Choice award at PC Magazine, but gets a lukewarm review at eBags.com from an owner who finds that it doesn't expand enough to hold many files. Yet another owner says it's too big. Owner-written reviews show that finding a bag that holds just what you want to carry -- and no more -- is a key factor in satisfaction with a laptop bag. Note, too, that some manufacturers and retailers specify the exact dimensions of each laptop compartment, but others are more vague, just listing the computer's screen size -- and "15-inch notebooks" vary a lot in actual size.