Do you ever worry about how to keep a laptop safe in a backpack?
Laptops, like most electronics, can be fairly fragile. Given how much they cost in the first place, you should do everything possible to avoid accidentally damaging them. Many folks, however, are simply not cautious enough when it comes to protecting their laptop. Bumps, scratches, stains, and spills are almost unavoidable for most people.
Given that the majority of users use their computers on a daily basis, a broken or malfunctioning laptop is a major inconvenience. There’s always the option to repair, but even that is contentious, as recent laptop releases come with their parts soldered onto the motherboard. They’re not replaceable, and getting the board change means practically getting a new laptop. And that doesn't come cheap.
As technology has grown throughout the years, so has the gear we use to carry it. Let's face it: while you're carrying your Macbook with you, you want to keep it safe. One minor mishap may transform a two thousand dollar computer into a very expensive paperweight. As a result, robust and durable backpacks have grown in popularity. They feature strong shells lined on the inside with foam to buffer the force of any hit.
In our experience, keeping a laptop contained inside the backpack's laptop compartment is the best way to safeguard it from harm. Never store other items, such as a charger or cords, in the same container.
But there’s always more you can do, it's always better to be safe than sorry. So keep reading to learn other tips on the safest ways to protect your laptop from damage.
See Also: WHAT IS A LAPTOP BACKPACK?
Use The Laptop Compartment For What Its For
Always keep your laptop in the laptop compartment and not in any of the other dividers or compartments of the bag. Most laptop backpacks have their own dedicated section for safely securing a laptop. It is generally located at the back of the backpack for weight distribution.
Measure your laptop before purchasing a laptop bag since you want the laptop to fit snugly for optimal protection. For instance, the Cyberbackpack can easily fit up to a seventeen-inch machine. These are enthusiast-tier laptops you’re more likely to have a fifteen or thirteen-inch laptop anyway.
But it's always reassuring to know that your bag can handle more. Your backpack has to inspire confidence in you so that you can go through your day without worrying about your belongings.
A well-designed laptop backpack such as the Cyberbackpack, contains padding on the sides, top, and bottom of the laptop compartment. Although the cushioning foam in the laptop compartment makes your backpack appear big, it really buffers and protects your laptop from unexpected shocks and accidents.
A word of caution: when carrying the bag, try to arrange your laptop vertically so that the majority of the weight is on the bottom of the pack rather than the laptop.
See Also: PROTECTING YOUR LAPTOP: HOW TO SAFELY CARRY A LAPTOP IN A BACKPACK (WITH EASE)
Make Use Of A Sleeve
If you are carrying an expensive laptop, such as a MacBook, you will most likely want any extra protection you can get for your precious clamshell. Maybe you aren't convinced that the laptop bag will simply be enough to shield the laptop. If that is the case for you, do consider investing in a laptop sleeve to add an extra layer of protection.
Just make sure the sleeve has adequate padding to protect the laptop's paint/surface and provide additional cushioning. Insert the laptop sleeve into your laptop bag. Check that the sleeve fits inside the laptop compartment too. This is where the extra room in our Cyberbackpack comes in handy.
See Also: HOW TO CARRY A LAPTOP IN A BACKPACK
Get An Anti Theft Backpack
Pickpockets are a prevalent problem in cities worldwide. Wherever you travel, keep your laptop and other personal belongings in your backpack safe. They can steal your belongings in a few seconds without you knowing.
You should invest in an anti-theft bag to keep your laptop from being stolen. These are designed differently than your average backpack.
Look for these features when you’re in the market for an anti-theft backpack:
- It should be made out of slash-resistant material so that a thief can’t cut into your bag easily.
- It must have an anti-theft lock as a bare minimum, you don’t want to be fiddling with locks on your zippers.
- It should have hidden pockets or zippers so you can keep special items extra secure.
It is somewhat more expensive to purchase than a standard backpack, but it is less expensive than having your laptop stolen. The Cyberbackpack has all of these qualities, as well as being TSA Checkpoint-friendly. If you frequently travel with a standard backpack, you are probably familiar with airport security procedures.
Imagine you carefully packed your laptop and other belongings in your backpack at home, and the security officer asks you to remove your laptop for x-ray screening. When you put the laptop back into the bag, there's a good possibility that it'll be scratched, accidentally fit into a tight place, or fall.
This issue may arise if you are rushing to empty your belongings inside a container in order to get out of line. A TSA-friendly laptop bag would let the security officer scan your laptop without having to take it out of the backpack.
See Also: WHAT IS A LAPTOP BACKPACK?
Keep Things Organized
If you are traveling with a laptop in your bag, you must separate all laptop-related items. The power cord, USB cables, adapter, phone, HDMI cables, and so on. You don't want to keep them with your laptop to avoid scratching it. Get all of the cables coiled and secured from unwinding by clipping or tucking one end into the loop.
Place them in the backpack's smaller compartment. Hide your important items, like a phone, inside the hidden zipper if you can. Try storing items like an adaptor or charger in a mesh bag.
And, if you absolutely must bring a water bottle, we do not advocate keeping it inside the bag. Keep the water bottle in an outer pocket if your bag has one.
Keep everything simple, light, and well-organized.
Rain Protection Is Important Too
There’s always a risk of rain whenever you’re out. Who knows when mother nature might decide to spite you by damaging your laptop with water? Keeping your bag dry is very important. You can do a few things to help accomplish that:
- Always buy a bag that is at least somewhat waterproof.
- If yours just isn’t, always keep a waterproof rain cover for your bag with you.
- A waterproof sleeve can help too if you’re only worried about your laptop.
- And make sure your laptop is off when you’re out. It's easier to short-circuit the motherboard with water if the battery runs power through it.
Verdict
A laptop is undoubtedly one of the most important things you bring with you when you leave your house. Because it is so easily damaged by bumps, scrapes, and water, it requires complete protection. Even if you know how to keep a laptop safe in a backpack, there is no guarantee that it will be safe because things can go wrong at any time. Always keep a backup of important data, images, and files, on a hard drive. A laptop is replaceable, but that precious data will never come back.
