If you’re reading this tech blog then it is pretty likely that you spend a large amount of your day on your laptop. Laptop technology itself has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. Apple silicon has brought incredible battery life to MacBooks, companies like Samsung, LG, and Huawei are in fierce competition and making great lightweight devices that have beautiful screens on the Windows side, and Chromebooks finally starting to find their feet. As laptop users, we have never had it so good.
On top of that, the shift to hybrid working means many of us work from different locations each day, from offices to coffee shops, and from bedrooms to beaches. The variety is great, and 5G connectivity is perfectly capable of handling the load. However, the constant change of venue does mean carrying around our laptops with us more than ever, which means we all need laptop bags that are comfortable, secure, and look good.
If you are looking for a new laptop bag, here are six things to think about before you buy:
Laptop backpack, tote, or messenger bag?
Messenger bags are slung over one shoulder, look professional, and have been designed for laptop and office gear. They can be comfortable, but if you are carrying your laptop long for long periods, then putting all that weight on one shoulder is something to watch out for.
Tote bags generally have handles long enough to carry the bag over one shoulder and have a large opening at the top so are the easiest to open and get your gear in and out. However, they also tend to be uncomfortable to carry for long periods, and some can look a little like an oversized mom-bag.
Backpacks do the best job in term of comfort, with good laptop backpacks spreading the weight of your laptop and gear across both shoulders evenly, with padded straps to make them even more comfortable. The style of backpack you choose can also define the look you are trying to achieve, with laptop backpacks available on the market that are smart and designed for office workers, with others more fun and designed for the digital nomad. For most people, the backpack is probably the best option, but there are pros and cons of each.
What is your style?
If you are heading into the office most days and/or wear a suit to work then you are probably after a very different-looking laptop bag to a digital nomad that works from coffee shops and the beach. Both of these people need comfortable and stylish bags, but one will likely opt for something understated in black, whilst the other will probably choose something more lively and colourful. Choose something that matches your style.
How big should a laptop bag be?
For most people, their laptop bag should be big enough to carry their laptop, charging cable, a notepad, and a few pens. In which case, your laptop bag should just be big enough to comfortably fit your laptop, whether that is a svelte 13″ Apple MacBook Air or a chunky powerhouse Huawei Matebook 16S.
It’s also important to remember that not all laptops have the same shape, with some 16:9 and others a more square 4:3 (or something inbetween). This means that a bag designed for a MacBook Pro 16 may not fit a MateBook 16s or an LG Gram 16 – be sure to check the dimensions of the laptop compartment carefully!
What’s the best material for a laptop bag?
Part of the style of a laptop bag is the material, with some opting for the luxurious nature of leather (or faux leather), whilst others like the colour possibilities of canvas or nylon.
Leather and canvas laptop bags look classy and professional, but they are also heavier and more susceptible to the elements than the synthetic options. So if you are only outside for a short hop between the Tube and your office then they might be a good choice, but less so if you plan to head up a mountain or to the beach with your laptop. If you are out in the elements a lot, then be sure to choose a weatherproof material to match your activities.
What’s your budget?
Laptop bags can vary wildly in price from just £20 up to triple figures, but most people tend to be looking for bags around the £50-£200 mark, within which there are a great variety of options on offer. If you have a laptop that retails for over a thousand pounds, it is probably spending a little more to know that the material will not tear and the padding will stay firm than if you have an old device that is only worth £250. Set a budget you’re happy with and stick to it!
Do you need any bells and whistles?
Some laptop bags today come with a variety of clever extra bits of tech, from built-in batteries to keep your devices charged, to specialised pockets for everything from a camera to a pair of AirPods. In general, unless you have a specific need, such as a photographer looking to carry their camera alongside their laptop, then you probably don’t need any of these expensive additions. You can buy a cheap battery back yourself and keep it in your bag if that is something you might want, and it is likely to be a better battery (and cheaper to replace) than anything built in.