Laptop computers are getting lighter by the day. Even asscreens get larger, with many people now regularly using 17 inch laptops, themachines themselves seem to get slimmer and lighter as technology advances.Even so, the addition of an extra battery, a couple of cables and accessoriesand a power adaptor can quickly add to the weight and bulk of even the smallestor lightest laptop or notebook computer. And if you are on the move all day andneed to keep your computer with you while also protecting it from bumps anddrops, a laptop backpack is sometimes your best solution.

Now when it comes to laptop bags, I generally prefer messengerbags to carry my laptop. But I still keep a computer rucksack in the cupboardand it does still come out for those days when I know I’ll be on my feet a lot.

It is a fairly obvious point to make, but the one bigadvantage of a laptop backpack is that it shifts the weight off your arm (ifyou normally use a briefcase style laptop case) or off one shoulder and ontoboth shoulders. In practice this means you can carry a heavier weight forlonger without getting tired as quickly. When I’m travelling for business orout visiting factory sites and doing other work in the field I’ll often use abackpack instead of a more conventionallaptop case.

Some of the features you may want to look for are:

Well padded straps

My backpack has quite wide and well padded straps so iscomfortable enough for a long day’s use. Yet one often sees backpacks andrucksacks with straps that are a bit of a joke. The other thing you want todouble check is that the straps are actually sturdily made. A friend of mineonce had a laptop bag break its strap at the buckle, causing his bag with thelaptop to go crashing down and damaging it.

Shock-proof compartment

Another useful feature is to look for a padded, orshock-proof compartment in the backpack that will hold the computer. Someversions come with elastic retaining straps, others with normal foam padding.Mine looks especially robust as it has a thick inflated airbag at the bottom. I’mfairly confident that this will provide protection against a drop from quite aheight.

Size

The other thing to look out for is size. As it happens minecould take a 17inch screen laptop even though my computer in daily use is quitea bit smaller. I don’t find that if jiggles about. I know a lot of times peoplewill advise you against getting a bag that is too big, but unless you have areally small netbook computer you can’t go too far wrong getting a bag that isbigger. That way you won’t have to replace your backpack if you trade up to abigger screened machine later.

Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Computer Backpacks

If you travel on airlines quite a bit you may want to go fora TSA approved checkpoint friendly laptop backpack. These usually open rightout so that you can lay them flat on the x-ray machine with the laptop itselfin a compartment all on its own. The reason for this is that the TSA wants tobe able to x-ray the laptop without any cables or other bits of gear obscuringthe operator’s view. Having an approved bag can really speed your progressthrough the checkpoint as you don’t then have to remove your laptop from itscase. Just be sure not to pack anything else in the same compartment as thecomputer or you will be asked to remove it.

Targus Zip-Thru Air Traveler Backpack for 15.8 Inch Laptops TBB012US (Black)

The Targus Zip-Thru Air Traveler Backpack is a great way to carry your computer if you are a regular traveller. This is because it adheres to the TSA guidelines for checkpoint friendly laptop bags, which means you do not have to take your computer out of your bag when going through security.

It also has loads of space for you other gear such as USB flash drives and a portable mouse.

The straps are well padded and fit nicely, giving a good weight distribution so you shouldn’t end up with sore shoulders.

Among its other features are pockets for water bottles and a key holder.

It also gets great reviews from users. In short, this is a well made bag from a respected company. You can’t go too far wrong with it.

Belkin 15.6-Inch Core laptop Backpack (Pitch Black/Soft Gray)

Belkin is another respected name in computer baga and backpacks. This is a fairly simple and relatively slim design. It doesn’t have too many frills but should provide a good level of protection in a smart and business-like package that will be right at home in the office unlike some other bags that will make you look like a student again.

SYNERGY from SwissGear by Wenger Computer Backpack

The Swissgear synergy is a more upmarket design with a few features missing from the others such as backpadding that is designed to allow some air through to help keep down sweatiness. It has all the bells and whistles you would expect such as a pocket for your MP3 player, a little port for your earphones and pockets for all your other bits fo gear

For the past couple of years, at least one small part of this little dance has been made easier. In 2008 the Transport Security Administration (TSA) set out some guidelines on a new group of laptop bags that were exempt from the normal rules. For those lucky enough to have a checkpoint friendly laptop bag, the bag need only be opened and put through the x-ray machine without having the laptop itself removed.

What makes a laptop bag checkpoint friendly?

The basic idea is that the bag has to be designed in such as way that the operators of the x-ray machines have a totally clear and unobstructed view of the laptop. They don’t want things like power cords and accessories obscuring the view. Nor do they want parts of the bag causing confusion, such as metal zippers or buckles or the like. A couple of examples are simple laptop sleeves, butterfly style bags that open up in two halves and so-called trifold bags that also unfold into a flat configuration.

To meet the requirements there should be nothing on the laptop section such as pockets or bits of metal that would interfere with the operators getting a clear look at the inside of your laptop.

Who makes checkpoint friendly laptop bags?

There is a long list of manufacturers that makes these bags. The TSA itself doesn’t actually approve any. It has just set out the guidelines that manufacturers follow. Quite a large number claim that their laptop bags are checkpoint friendly, but there is no independent verification of this. This is why it is essential that if you buy one, that you check that it really meets the requirements.

Some checkpoint friendly laptop bag reviews

Here are the names of a couple of bags that claim to meet the requirements.

• Skooba R101-101 Checkthrough Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag: The Skooba is a really well priced bag that is designed to hold 15 inch laptops. It has a dedicated laptop compartment that folds flat and is see-through so that the security officers can clearly see there is nothing else in the compartment. It also has 20 other pockets and compartments scattered about including one that is accessible and designed to hold your tickets and passport. A lot of the internal pockets are made of mesh, so you can see at a glance what you’ve stowed in them (USB cable, flash drive, whatever). The downside is that it doesn’t have a huge amount of padding to protect your laptop and it is too big for everyday use.
• Targus Zip Through Corporate Traveller Case: This is a bag made by a really reputable laptop bag manufacturer. Who hasn’t had a Targus at least once in their lives? It also has a dedicated laptop area and the whole bag butterflies out for security. Its list price is lower than that of the Skooba, but depending on when you look it actually comes out more expensive sometimes because of the great deals that Amazon has on the Skooba. It also has a bunch of compartments but they aren’t mesh, so if you are looking for something small then you’ll have to open each one.

Checkpoint friendly backpacks

There are also a couple of checkpoint friendly backpacks out there such as the Case Logic Security Friendly Backpack. It also has a zipper that allows you to butterfly the backpack for security. The rest is pretty much a normal backpack, but it has given up some functionality to incorporate the security-friendly features so it probably has fewer usable internal compartments and dividers than you are used to.

What it looks like to the security operator