School Backpack and Protection Cover/Bag for 14inch Screen Laptop

Buttocks on 23/11/2022 - 10:32
Last edited 23/11/2022 - 12:23 by 1 other user

Looking for a backpack for student starting year 7 next year. Backpack will need to be able to fit a laptop with a 14 inch screen and which will be in a protective bag of sorts as I have not purchased and will also post separately for suggestions.
Backpack will also need to accommodate all the other stuff as well like some books, lunch and water bottle etc. Any ideas on backpack or practical suggestions will be appreciated.

I am also hoping for practical advice on what type of protective bag may be better than others soft or hard shell, size and weight limitations etc. I have seen a picture of a laptop bag that unzips entirely around edge and opens up allowing for laptop to be used without being removed from protective case…like a tablet protective cover which I thought looked like a good idea.
Laptop is 14 inch screen type.
Thanks

Computing

Comments

  • kerfuffle on 23/11/2022 - 10:34

    Maybe the Bellroy Classic Backpack or Tokyo Totepack? Might be a bit extravagant for a 12 year old though.

  • jjjaar on 23/11/2022 - 10:37
    +1

    What percentage of books will be physical vs on the laptop? Back in my day books took up so much room.

    I always liked Hershel backpacks.They're pretty durable.

    Backpacks were always a bit of a rite of passage though. Why don't you just take your kid to the local shops and get them to pick one. Take a piece of cardboard about the size of the laptop to make sure it fits.

    I would also just suggest a sleeve for the laptop, not necessarily an entire other bag. Otherwise it'll take up even more space in the backpack. I use that sleeve for my work laptop between working in the office and from home and it's perfect. I don't use a backpack with a laptop slot in it either.

    • Buttocks on 23/11/2022 - 11:12

      My kid not fussy about selecting his own backpack. Not sure how many books atm but expect minimal. Need solid protection as may be riding bike to school.

      • jjjaar on 23/11/2022 - 12:43
        +2

        My kid not fussy about selecting his own backpack

        That’s good. My school had a huge backpack culture. It was a big thing. Even those that initially didn’t care ended up caring so if his school is like that, you may be buying a new one in March.

  • CodeXD on 23/11/2022 - 10:53
    +6

    Good laptop backpacks will already have soft cushion padding for designated laptop slot, so you might not need that sleeve.

    I have a dell 15" laptop backpack from a few years ago and it is still holding up well. From memory it was around $13 delivered from a deal here.

    You can also take a look at laptop backpack tag

  • Buttocks on 23/11/2022 - 10:56
    Merged from Laptop Protection for School Kid

    Hi brains trust community…kid starting year 7 next year with brand new lap top lucky devil. I need to protect it…and leaving it at home is not an option…laptop will need to fit into a backpack which has not been selected or purchased as starting to do research on that as well.
    I am hoping for practical advice on what type of protective bag may be better than others soft or hard shell, size and weight limitations etc. I have seen a picture of a laptop bag that unzips entirely around edge and opens up allowing for laptop to be used without being removed from protective case…like a tablet protective cover which I thought looked like a good idea.
    Laptop is 14 inch screen type.
    Thanks

    • Any thing on 23/11/2022 - 11:05

      I’ll be adding my child’s laptop to my home insurance because I’m sure no matter how much protection I provide he’ll still break it.

    • Buttocks on 23/11/2022 - 11:17
      +2

      School BYOD through HP has 3 year onsite warranty and accidental damage for $99. This is the reason he is getting new laptop…I dont have to stuff around with it. School IT person says lots and lots of screens get broken.

      • timmof on 23/11/2022 - 11:37

        That is correct. They do. Two teenagers here.
        For my eldest, I did the ozbargin thing and bought a super cheap good value laptop until I got sick of supporting it, replacing keys that mysteriously disappeared etc. When the second started yr 7, I got them both the same laptop via the school.

        They usually have a slip case you can purchase. I’d recommend that.

        Looks something like this

        https://au.targus.com/products/13-3-contego%e2%84%a2-armoure…

        • timmof on 23/11/2022 - 12:31

          Think I linked to the smaller one. Double check. One thing that's needed on those bags is actually the shoulder strap. When they're stuffing around at their lockers it's the most likely time they'll drop the laptop. That's what happened with our eldest - her laptop sleeve didnt have a shoulder strap and she just dropped it.

        • MrThing on 23/11/2022 - 14:12

          13.3" Contego™ Armoured Slipcase

          how are they for school shootings?

      • Any thing on 23/11/2022 - 12:33

        I wish my sons school offered this too.

    • thatonethere on 23/11/2022 - 11:46

      I found for the kids macbooks I had to add a shell cover to the laptop itself, and then insist with the kids they also inserted it into a hardshell bag (eg Thule Gauntlet). Then having a backpack with a laptop slot.

      It won't protect against all knocks but it will do most - any laptop is vulnerable to hard point damage that will put significant force onto the screen.

      There are a lot of broken screens at the school when i visit - one of the other common screen breaks is closing the lid whilst something is still sitting on the keyboard - eg airpod.

    • AustriaBargain on 23/11/2022 - 12:04

      One good tip is to tell them never to move it while it's open. Smashed screen odds go way up when you walk around with an open laptop. Always close it before moving it.

    • pinchies on 23/11/2022 - 12:30
      +2

      I would work at minimising the chance for breakage. What brand of laptop / what model is the charger? You can buy tiny magnetic connectors for USB-C charging ports that "break-away" easily like MagSafe on macs do when someone trips over the cable.

      • LiteDough on 27/11/2022 - 21:09

        Tbh I would have guessed most kids would "forget" the charger cause the laptop is enough weight.

  • pinchies on 23/11/2022 - 12:27
    +1

    I love the High Sierra backpacks. Super well made, and they have been good to me and stood behind their warranty when things break. "High Sierra backpacks are made for life, backed by a lifetime warranty." Can't beat that. Get them on sale at factory outlets etc if you want to save more. I'd suggest something like this for school: https://www.highsierra.com.au/backpacks/access-2.0-laptop-bp…

  • OMGJL on 23/11/2022 - 12:29

    back in when I was in high school 10 years ago I do see some kid toss their backpack with laptop inside all over the place.

    I do wonder why their laptop breaking all the time when "they took good care of it".

    Protection means nothing if your kid is acting like a hulk.

    • CrispyChrispy on 23/11/2022 - 15:52
      +1

      Most backpacks nowadays will come with a specified laptop compartment, most of the time up to 15.6"

  • Nicoletta on 24/11/2022 - 09:06

    Do they tend to carry the laptop from class to class, or use the backpack throughout the day? My biggest worry was carrying the laptop unprotected between classes while juggling other books, so we went with a padded sleeve that my son was happy to carry it around in.

    His primary and high schools have branded backpacks as part of the uniform from PSW - pretty roomy and very durable (lasted 7 years of primary school) and have padded laptop compartments. You can get unbranded versions from them too:
    - primary school bag https://www.psw.com.au/90002-8302200-0.html
    - high school bag https://www.psw.com.au/90002-8303200-0.html

  • Out24q on 24/11/2022 - 18:09

    I put my Work Laptop in a padded bag that you buy at the Post Office, and then goes into my Backpack..
    Just gives that extra level of protection for very little extra bulk and very low price..

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