Backpacks are a great way to carry a laptop, because they spread the weight out between your two shoulders. They also offer additional security against being snatched off of your shoulder, something a brazen thief might do.
Even backpacks can be difficult to carry for long periods of time. Though they may spread the weight between two shoulders instead of one, it can still be uncomfortable to have a backpack on your shoulders for several hours during long commutes or while traveling across a large campus.
While standard backpacks may be fine for more casual use, and designer laptop carriers for those style conscious, people who carry their computer with them almost everywhere they go may find it very uncomfortable to keep the weight on their shoulders for very long.
This is where rolling backpacks make a great choice. Although they are a bit more expensive than standard backpacks, they offer additional convenience for people who carry their laptop a lot.
Since these backpacks are designed to be used for many purposes, they’re often more rugged and durable than standard laptop backpacks. Many people use these rolling backpacks for camping and hiking or as their carryon bags when they fly.
These bags need to be particularly durable to survive being jostled around with other luggage in an overhead compartment or dragged through underbrush while hiking, so they’re designed to stand up to this type of use.
Some of the larger rolling backpacks have an especially useful feature. They have detachable day packs that can be used to carry things like a wallet, water bottle, keys, cosmetics, and other items. This could be carried separately when needed, and attached to the main pack only when traveling.
There’s one main drawback to using a rolling backpack over a standard backpack. They do actually weight a bit more than standard backpacks because of the added weight of the handle, wheels, and frame. This can be cumbersome if you’re traveling in a lot of areas where you can’t roll the backpack, but in urban areas this wouldn’t likely be a big problem.
When shopping for a rolling backpack, you’ll want to look for one that is durable, but also padded. In addition to making it easier to carry, the main function of a laptop bag of any kind is to protect your computer. If your bag isn’t padded well, it’s not going to be much protection to your laptop.
You also need to be sure you get a backpack with the best combination of strength and weight. You’ll probably want something relatively lightweight, especially if you plan to travel in areas where you can’t roll your bag most of the time.
But you don’t want to sacrifice a lot of durability to cut down on the weight. Ideally you’ll find something with a very sturdy handle. Plastic is lighter, but may break easier than metal. You’ll have to decide whether the strength of metal is worth the added weight.
Other styles of laptop cases can also be found in rolling models, but backpacks are more likely to be allowed as carry-on luggage. Backpack laptop cases are also easier to take with you when the ground isn’t conducive to rolling. In addition they will probably give you a better feeling of security since they can’t be snatched away so easily.
