Laptop Bags: Chic, Fashionable, Thin and functional

The perfect laptop bag means different things to different people. What features are important? Which features are deal makers and deal breakers. Is it the style or the functionality that counts most?

Protection of the laptop is the most obvious reason to have a laptop bag. Padded sides and bottom offer protection from crushing and hard landings. Often there will be a padded inside divider that protects the laptop from being damaged by accessories that seldom lay flat.

Padded handles are important to protect your hands and padded straps are needed to protect your shoulders from uneven weight distribution.

Size of a laptop bag is determined by the size of the laptop. You will typically see references to laptops as the size of their screens (monitors). UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) screens are anywhere from 4.5” to 7”. Ultra portable screens range from 11.1” to 14”. Once you move up to the 15” and above the laptops are of course heavier. A laptop bag that carries a sub-three pound laptop does not have the same needs as the one that carries a (brick) 6+ pounds laptop.

A laptop sleeve is designed to carry a laptop alone whether on its own or inside another bag. A laptop sleeve has limited padding and may or may not have a strap or handle. A laptop sleeve is sized to closely match the size of the laptop as to lessen the movement of the laptop. Sometimes as with the “Tuscany Leather Laptop Bag” a colorful laptop sleeve will be used to accent the entire design.

Shape of a laptop bag can be an asset – or not. A soft yet padded laptop bag can mold itself to the contents held within. A hard-side or semi-hard side as with the “Nucleus PC Portfolio” offers solid protection for the laptop but space for the other contents is limited.

Toshiba and Apple are just two of the laptop makers that sell laptop bags that perfectly fit certain laptops in their line.

Laptop bags can be thick or thin. They can have outside pockets and pouches. Some larger laptop bags have wheels and some others even look like overnight bags.

The fabric of a laptop bag is probably the most telling feature that says something about the owner. Business people typically try to stick with laptop bags that are simple and distinguished. Fun loving students often go for the bright colored highly designed laptop bag.

Leather, denier, cotton and vinyl are only some of the fabrics used to make laptop bags. There are those designed by “foofbag” that are designed for those with far out tastes that are seldom satisfied. For the “eco” crowd companies like the “Vinyl Billboard Laptop Bags” design and make their laptop bags from recycled vinyl billboards.

Laptop bags can be decorated with fabric paint, studs, oversized buckles and really anything else you can imagine. The fabric can be quilted, lined or tufted.

As you can see there is an unlimited choice when it comes to laptop bags. The beauty is that they do not have to look like laptop bags.

My laptop bag is a black leather Kenneth Cole "Reaction" bag/purse. It has double handles - each with two rows of silver tone studs. The lining has one zippered pocket and two open pockets. I carry my 11.1" laptop inside its made to fit leather laptop sleeve tucked into this bag and it works very well. I want my laptop to be easily accessable while being protected.