Laptop bag for uni

Tnetennba on 14/01/2014 - 15:40

Hello,

I'm looking for a laptop bag/satchel kind of thing for university and was wondering if any of you have had any experience with one that you'd recommend. I don't want to spend a heap of money ($30-40 at most).

I have a dell xps 13, which is 13". Basically 30cm on the long side, 20cm on the short. I'll also need to fit some uni books in it.

I've browsed ebay, and they all seem really generic and sold everywhere or I'm not sure about size/etc like this one

As you can see in those links, thats kind of the style I'm going for, leather would be preferred but I don't mind.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 14/01/2014 - 16:09

    Those satchel bags don't seem to be padded. You're going to want proper padded laptop bags, not general purpose ones. This is in case you drop your bag on the ground a little too hard, so a little shock protection is neccessary.

    If you want to use those kinds of regular bags, get one of these instead, but also use a neoprene sleeve to protect your laptop.

    eg
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Black-Sleeve-Carry-Skin-Case-for-…

    • Tnetennba on 14/01/2014 - 16:34

      Thanks.

      Yeah, I already have a kathmandu sleeve (given to me as a present) which is waterproof and reasonably thick (kind of like a wetsuit, probably neoprene like you suggested). Believe it or not I already have one of those black/red things you linked, but for 10.1" tablets. I will probably buy one for this as it's easier to put in and out of than the kathmandu one, and for $4 you can't go wrong.

  • Astro551 on 14/01/2014 - 18:37
    +2

    For laptop bags generally I use just normal backpacks (not hipster enough for a satchel!) with a laptop sleeve (or a soft case, however you call them). Generally that's ok for me, although there will be times when you bag gets knocked around. So if you want that extra protection I don't think you can go wrong with a Targus.

    Also nice laptop! I have a friend who's interested in getting one so wondering how you've found it so far? :)

    • Tnetennba on 14/01/2014 - 18:41
      +1

      Mine hasn't arrived yet, ETA is friday. I figured for the sake of simplicity I'd just say I have it already :P

    • YadaYadaYada on 14/01/2014 - 23:40
      +1

      I do this as well when I carried around a laptop.

      I used to carry around a laptop around uni in a shoulder bag but that caused all sorts of shoulder pain. I highly recommend using a backpack instead for carrying around laptops. I have 2 laptop backpacks - a caribbee one and a targus one, but they're both really bulky, and one is kind of heavy standalone. However nowadays I use a regular backpack + laptop sleeve - it's a more flexible solution coz you can just get rid of the sleeve when you want to use the backpack for other stuff.

  • oringal on 15/01/2014 - 01:55

    which course are you studying? some courses require more books than others :P

    • Tnetennba on 15/01/2014 - 02:15

      Software engineering minor in management, so i assume there will be some textbooks involved. Some may have e-book variants though which I will probably get a hold of instead ;)

      • Jasmine2323 on 15/01/2014 - 02:32

        Good. But in software engineering many textbooks are not involved.

        • YadaYadaYada on 15/01/2014 - 09:16

          I did SE at uni, and a lot of the earlier subjects had more 'critical' textbooks that you couldn't live without having. You won't need to carry them around all the time though.

        • saine on 15/01/2014 - 12:06

          Yeah, but there were a few subjects that claimed the textbook was necessary when it was barely referred to and contained the same information available in lectures and tutes.

  • Geekomatic on 15/01/2014 - 12:40

    This'll seem crazy- but…

    I've actually gotten my best bags for laptops at our local Salvo's & Vinnies- lol…I realize it's "hit or miss"- but doesn't hurt or cost anything to have a snoop? The last I found was leather & in a very cool style—> $5!

    ;)

  • JediJan on 16/01/2014 - 03:43

    The one we use (and cost nothing) is a hard wearing (brown) satchel type bag, worn as across one shoulder and down the other side. Nice wide adjustable strap for comfort too. Has a large flap over front and several inside and outside pockets, with large zipper opening. Came as a freebie gift from Brown Brothers (discreet adbertisement panel) maybe worth checking out eBay for one. Had it a few years now and is as good as new.

    Other than that, BigW is advertising some cheap laptop school bags (back pack types)that may be suitable too.

  • JediJan on 16/01/2014 - 03:44

    The one we use (and cost nothing) is a hard wearing (brown) satchel type bag, worn as across one shoulder and down the other side. Nice wide adjustable strap for comfort too. Has a large flap over front and several inside and outside pockets, with large zipper opening. Came as a freebie gift from Brown Brothers (discreet adbertisement panel) maybe worth checking out eBay for one. Had it a few years now and is as good as new.

    Other than that, BigW is advertising some cheap laptop school bags (back pack types)that may be suitable too.

  • JediJan on 16/01/2014 - 03:45

    The one we use (and cost nothing) is a hard wearing (brown) satchel type bag, worn as across one shoulder and down the other side. Nice wide adjustable strap for comfort too. Has a large flap over front and several inside and outside pockets, with large zipper opening. Came as a freebie gift from Brown Brothers (discreet adbertisement panel) maybe worth checking out eBay for one. Had it a few years now and is as good as new.

    Other than that, BigW is advertising some cheap laptop school bags (back pack types)that may be suitable too.

  • ExtraSalt on 16/01/2014 - 09:27

    SurfStitch.com.au are having a sale atm. 40% off already reduced OUTLET products. theres a few bags there you can check out. the promo code was SAVE40

  • redraoh on 16/01/2014 - 10:36

    STM is a good brand. I have a backpack with laptop sleeve that I've used since before uni to lug around a laptop, books, etc. Not a single tear or problem with it in 5+ years.

    Besides a laptop and books, consider if you'll need to take lunch and a drink, calculator, engineering tools if you're doing that, etc.

  • ThighHighDemise on 16/01/2014 - 10:43

    Those satchel bags don't hold together too well either. I had one for all of half of a semester before it strap snapped and I was left with (even more of) a man purse.

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