Buying Guide to Laptop Computer Cases

Backpack, Rolling or Sleek, Compact Laptop Case - What's Your Pleasure?

Caged Heart
Whether you want a compact, sleek portfolio style case for your laptop, or a full blown 'Office in a Bag' rolling laptop suitcase, you will want to carefully select the case that is right for you. For example, my first laptop case cost over $100 - and didn't fit my Widescreen HP Laptop! Wasted time, effort and money! My second rolling case…well, let's just say that one didn't work out either. After loading up my laptop and all its many accessories, including my Canon i90 printer, I couldn't even close it all the way, and when I finally got it closed, it was so unwieldy and the handle so short that I looked like a bumbling Hunchback of Notre Dame tripping my way through the airport!

So, what DO you look for in a laptop case? You need to know how big your laptop is, how wide is the screen and also how deep (thick) it is, what accessories you are likely to carry (i.e., Printer, digital camera, power adapter set, scanner stick, etc.), and, most importantly, your comfort level - do you need a rolling cart or would a backpack style laptop case work best for your needs?

Busy, mobile executives may need a larger rolling case, capable of carrying all their paraphernalia for a 3 day business trip across the ocean, while the active college student might want to jam her notebook in a backpack along with her textbooks and race across campus, trying to beat the bell.

My preference is a rolling suitcase type laptop bag. Several large and well-known companies make excellent and value priced cases. Do a little research through ebags.com, consumerreports.com, targus.com and even check out the office supply store websites. I ran into a terrific special on the case I had pretty much decided on at staples.com.

I chose a Targus TCG717, Rolling Travel Notebook Case. I can not only safely tuck my widescreen laptop and its assorted accessories, including portable printer and file folders in the 717, I can even throw a couple of changes of clothes in! This great 'toybox' has soft and sturdy polyurethane wheels for a smooth and quiet trip, a wonderful three-tiered, telescoping, aluminum locking handle (no more Hunchback of Notre Dame for me!), and a few great, removable accessory pouches (cell phone, CDs/DVDs, and a sizable one for cords, and cameras, or for your user manuals).

The thickly padded notebook sleeve in this model fits up to a 17" Widescreen Laptop. The front flap of the case is a zip-down workstation, and has mobile accessory storage, business card holder, key clip and pen loops, plus offers easy access to your most important files.

Security and weather protection are additional things to consider when purchasing a laptop case. The Targus 717 is manufactured with doublewelt seams and cordura nylon, similar in construction to a great REI Outdoor Jacket and just as rugged. The interior pockets are fastened by a strong elastic strap to secure your laptop and accessories from slipping around during those mad dashes to the airline gate and to keep your precious equipment safer while stowing the case under the seat or in the overhead of the plane.

Published by Caged Heart

I've had the need to travel, since grandpa bought my first subscription to National Geographic for my fourth birthday. Now, I get to travel with the man I love and honor, as he does me, into amazing worlds o...  View profile

  • Targus 717 Rolling Travel Notebook Case doesn�t have the tendency to wobble or tip when wheeling it
  • no, black isn�t the only color available!
  • compact, sleek portfolio style case for your laptop, or a full blown �Office in a Bag� rolling lapto
for business and for pleasure, laptops are almost as common as the cell phone was five years ago

2 Comments

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  • laptop12/11/2010

    Your bag should be able to hold your laptop, accessories, adapters, files and all your other everyday essentials.

  • Leo Landels1/16/2009

    I've read a couple of laptop bag reviews but this is the first that I've heard of a laptop case. I just got Clear wireless internet (www.clear.com), a company based out of Portland, for my home and since I started using wireless for my desktop, I've been craving a laptop. My basic service package from Clear includes wireless internet access throughout downtown Portland, and I'm ready to sink money into a notebook computer. With a case like the ones you're talking about my laptop would be protected no matter what bag they were in.

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