Tech Hut

It’s important to make sure you buy a good quality laptop carrying case to protect your shiny new computer. However, many people forget about the case, and end up with laptops that are scratched, dinged, or even broken by the process of carrying them around. You’ll want to think about what you need out of a case, and how you’re likely to treat your laptop before you buy.

Hard cases are a very popular choice for people who really want to know that their valuable computer is going to make it through in good shape. Let’s take a quick look at them, as well as some other types of bags, to help you decide which types of laptop carrying case you should buy for your needs.

First, you’ll want to think about how much of a beating your laptop will take. Is it mostly going to be at home, transported only on the occasional trip, or will you be taking it to class every day? Will your laptop travel in a relatively small area, or are you going to be taking it through airport security? This will tell you whether a relatively light, low protection laptop carrying case will work, or if you need to look for something sturdier, more padded, or even hard sided.

Sleeves just provide protection against scratches, and soft sided cases protect your computer against minor jolts. For more shock protection, a rigid case with padding inside to reduce the amount of shock transferred to the computer is an important choice. If there’s a chance of your laptop getting jarred out of your hand to land on a hard surface, or tossed onto a belt carelessly with the rest of your luggage, you’re going to want the most protection you can get.

If you’re planning to fly with your computer a lot, you may want to make sure that you have a case that can go through security without the need to remove a laptop. Security certified cases are now available and can significantly simplify things for frequent travelers. Instead of pulling your laptop out every time you have to get on a plane, you can simply unzip or open the case, lie it flat on the conveyor, and walk on through. You’ll just have to make sure nothing overlaps the computer compartment that might get in the way.

Think about weight, as well. You’ll need to be comfortable carrying your laptop, and if you’re planning to walk long distances, a very heavy case may be hard to deal with. On the other hand, lighter cases are often lighter on protection, as well. If you want to be sure your case is going to hold up to abuse, the extra weight of hard sided aluminum laptop carrying cases may be worth it. Fortunately, technological advances are giving us strong cases that are lighter than ever before, making it much easier to get good protection without a lot of weight, as long as you’re willing to pay for it.

How about available interior space? You’ll want to make sure that your particular model fits snugly, but not tightly, in the case that you purchase. If it’s too difficult to get the laptop into and out of the case that you choose, you’ll probably end up avoiding using it. That defeats the point of protective laptop carrying cases, so be certain you choose one that’s easy to use. Convenience is a bigger deal for many of us than we might think at first. For hard cases, make sure that the latches are easy to use and that the case opens and closes smoothly and without a hassle.

Do you need to store something other than the laptop? Many laptop carrying cases don’t include enough space for peripherals and cables. If you know you’ll be carrying a mouse, optical drive, or some other kind of peripheral, you’ll want to be certain that the case you choose is large enough for it, and that it offer adequate protection for the peripheral, too. Hard shell cases offer enough protection, but space can be at a premium, while soft sided cases are easier to squeeze things into, as long as you don’t mind extra risk.

Other concerns include ventilation. While you shouldn’t carry your laptop while it’s on, you do want to make sure that it’s not going to overheat, even while turned off. A quality case will provide for some kind of ventilation to make sure that your components aren’t in danger of damage from high ambient temperatures.

Price is a consideration for most of us, too. There are cases on the market from fifteen to twenty dollars (simple bags with little protection) to fancy types for several hundred. Depending on your budget, you may not be able to afford really high end cases. Just remember that your laptop carrying cases are no place to cut corners, however. You’ve already spent a lot on the computer itself – it’s worth it to get a case that’s going to protect that investment.

Why would anyone pick a hard shell laptop carrying case over a soft sided case or a simple laptop sleeve? The answer is relatively simple. If you’re someone who really needs high quality protection from shock and jolts as well as just scratches and minor abuse, a hard shell case is the right choice. It’ll give you more protection and a safer computer than a case that doesn’t have that kind of rigid shell. Just make sure that you’re willing to pay for that protection, and that the weight isn’t an issue if you feel that a hard shell case is the right one for you.

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