With laptop popularity soaring over the past five years, more and
more of us are faced with the issue of the heck to carry them around
in. Luckily, the days of the black nylon behemoth bag, slung over one's
shoulder like a weighty geek-albatross, are long gone. Ladies, we've
got options.
Before I talk bags however, I gotta talk straps.
The straps and fittings of whatever you choose to tote your precious
portable around in, be it paper grocery bag or fancy leather number,
are the most integral part of the equation. Take this from a gal who's
had two bags with faulty strap hardware fail in the past 2 1/2 years.
In both cases, the metal clips that attached the strap to the bag
failed... and in both cases my laptops (RIP) landed on cement. In
addition to selecting a shoulder strap with sturdy hardware, make sure
that the clips engage securely with the bags fittings, not in the
upright position but if the strap is pulled from the side. Lastly, get
in the habit of checking your lap top bag over for wear and tear,
focusing on pressure points and where straps or hardware are sewn to
the bag itself.
And now, on to a few of my favorite bags.. to fit both your life and your laptop.
Lifestyle 1- "I'm a sassy professional"
My recommendation for style savvy women taking the corporate world by storm is the "Slim Cargo" bag by Acme Made.
On
the sassy side, it's a sleek shoulder bag with leather straps that’s
offered in not one, but 14 chic designer prints. On the professional
side, the Slim Cargo is constructed of water resistant ballistic nylon,
lined with high density foam padding and includes removable high
impact, plastic inserts, all of which guarantee that your laptop will
feel as good as it looks. And because no woman lives on battery power
alone, the Slim Cargo earns the latter part of its name with an easy to
reach, outer pocket that’s roomy enough to carry all your favorite,
tech savvy accessories. Covered by a 1 year warranty for Acme Made, the
"Slim Cargo" is priced from $109.99 to $249.99 (depending on size and
your choice of fabric) To learn more about this laptop bag check out
www.acmemade.com
Lifestyle 2 - "I need
to trek long distances/chase down public transportation/ run from crazy
homeless people with my laptop safely in tow."
For the woman
that who needs a comfortable, secure, hands free fit, for anything from
catching the bus to fighting crime, the Timbuk2 "Underground Day Pack"
is the way to go.
Offered
in two, street smart color combinations, this spacious backpack style
bag can easily accommodate even the beefiest of 17” notebooks in its
padded laptop compartment. It also features plenty of exterior zip
pockets for quick access to smaller items, a cell phone pocket and
water bottle holder. The "Underground Day Pack" has an exterior of
super tough, ballistic nylon, a padded back panel for an extra comfort
and waterproof rubberized bottom. The Underground also comes with
Timbuk2’s quality guarantee and runs $75.00 from www.timbuk2.com
Lifestyle 3 - "I’ve already got several bags to haul around"
For
the lady who already has a purse/briefcase/Gym bag/diaper tote/2 bags
of groceries to carry, in addition to her laptop, the InCase nylon
sleeve is a great, versatile solution.
Ideal
for smaller laptops, this effective design features a plush faux-fur
lining, as well as pockets that are both functional and easy to access.
Featuring a durable nylon exterior with clever tuck away handles, the
InCase transforms from an ergonomic shoulder bag into a sleek, laptop
sleeve appropriate for slipping into your favorite larger bag… or
diaper tote. This little gem can be yours for around $49.95 through
www.goincase.com or your local Apple store.
Lifestyle 4 - "I love standing out in a crowd.. with or without my laptop"
For
the gal who puts her unique twist on everything around her, the
Tektonik Messenger Style laptop bag has that perfect combination of
funky flair and fabulous function.
With
its ultra modern styling, this bag amps up the cool factor with a slick
vinyl exterior available in three funky color combinations. The
Tektonik Messenger also features 4 interior pockets, a large, easy to
access front pocket and durable chrome feet. To top it off, there's an
integrated headphone port insuring that your personal soundtrack never
has to miss a beat. With a price tag starting at $259 this much cool
does come with at a little bit of more of a cost. To learn more about
the Tektonik Messenger bag visit www.silent-revolution.com/tektonik.htm