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.

Dollar Green Hard Plastic Cover Case for iPhone 3G 3GS $0.10

HARD CASE COVER FOR iPOD iTOUCH TOUCH 3rd GEN 3 3G+LCD $5.99

3 Rubber Hard Cover Case + Film For Motorola Droid A855 $9.75

BLK RUBBER HARD CASE+CAR CHARGER FOR MOTOROLA KRAVE ZN4 $4.99

Black Bling Diamond Hard Cover Case for IPHONE 3G 3GS $6.99

Cell Phone Hot Pink Hard Cover Case For Palm Sprint Pre $4.39

5 PCS Hard Back Case Cover For Apple Iphone 3G 3GS D39 $0.01

HOT PINK HARD RUBBER CASE FOR PALM PRE PLUS VERIZON PDA $4.39

Rhinestone Hard Case Cover for Apple iPhone 3G 3Gs s $0.01

for LG DARE VX9700 BLUE PLAID HARD CASE COVER+LCD GURAD $6.49

Rubber Hard Case+Data Cable For T-mobile Dash HTC s620 $8.05

Small Sleeve Case Bag for 2.5" Portable Hard Drive Disk $3.61

wholesale hard back case for iPhone 3G 20/lot k4 $45.99

PINK Hard Case+Mirror Screen Protector for HTC Dream G1 $4.49

OEM HARD CASE COVER+CHARGER FOR BLACKBERRY BOLD 9700 $15.39

10 Color Hard Back Case Cover For Apple iPhone 3G 3GS S $0.95

Small Sleeve Case Bag for 2.5" Portable Hard Drive Disk $3.61

Screen Protector+Crystal Hard Case for Apple iPhone 2G $4.49

10 Color Hard Back Case Cover For Apple iPhone 3G 3GS S $0.95

BLACK HARD CASE+LCD FILM+CAR CHARGER FOR LG VOYAGER $6.95

BLK Hard Case+Film+2 Charger For Samsung Intensity U450 $7.29

Crystal Hard Case+LCD Pro For Samsung Gravity 2 T469 $5.99

NEW HOT HARD CASE COVER POUCH FOR APPLE IPHONE 4 4G OS $9.50

New 8 Hard BACK Case Cover for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS $0.95

Hard Case Skin Cover For iPhone 3G 3GS 16G 32G White $3.89

BLACK HARD CASE COVER+SCREEN FILM FOR PALM PIXI SPRINT $4.69

Clear Hard Case for 13.3" Apple MacBook A1342 +KB Cover $9.95

new Chrome Hard Case Skin Cover For Apple iPHONE 3G 3GS $0.99

10 Hard Case Cover Skin for Apple iPod Touch 2 2ND 3RD $2.99

10 HARD CASE COVER SKIN for APPLE iPod TOUCH 2ND 3ND $0.69

BLACK HARD CASE+CAR CHARGER FOR SAMSUNG A767 PROPEL $7.25

2PCS Stripe Colourful Hard case For Iphone 3G/3GS $0.99

for LG DARE VX9700 PLAID HARD CASE COVER+CAR CHARGER $6.99

BLACK HARD CASE+CAR CHARGER FOR SAMSUNG HIGHLIGHT T749 $6.09

FOR BLACKBERRY 8100 PEARL ZEBRA HARD PHONE CASE COVER $2.79

Orange Rose Hard Cover Case for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS $0.01

for Apple iPod Nano 4th Generation FULL Hard Cover Case $3.99

PROTECTOR+HARD CASE COVER FOR VERIZON PALM PIXI PLUS $4.49

BLACK HARD CASE COVER+CHARGER FOR SAMSUNG A767 PROPEL $7.25

C333W Crystal Hard Case for Nintendo NDS Lite Console $0.88

For Apple iPhone 3G 3G-S Colorful Flowers Hard Case $7.99

HARD CASE+CAR CHARGER FOR BLACKBERRY PEARL 8120 8130 $5.04

Hard Case+LCD+Home+Car Charger For AT&T LG Xenon GR500 $7.99

FLOWER HARD CASE+CHARGER+CABLE for IPOD TOUCH 3RD 3G $9.69

BLK Hard Case+Car+AC Charger+LCD+USB For LG GT365 Neon $8.99

SWEET HEART HARD COVER CASE FOR APPLE IPHONE 3G 3GS $7.29

CRYSTAL CLEAR HARD CASE COVER FOR NEW APPLE IPHONE 4G 4 $0.01

New Chrome Hard Case Skin Cover For Apple iPHONE 3G 3GS $0.99

7x NEW HARD SKIN COVER CASE FOR APPLE IPHONE 4 OS 4G SS $0.01

6 PCS Hard Back Case Cover For Apple iPhone 3G 3GS -K61 $0.99

New Hard Back Case Cover For Apple iPhone 4G 4th Purple $2.68

3.5 USB 2.0 SATA HDD Hard Drive External Case/Enclosure $13.85

10 Color Hard Back Case Cover For Apple iPhone 3G 3GS S $2.99

Hard Back Mickey Mouse Skin Case For iPhone 3G 3GS D 18 $0.01

HARD COVER CASE FOR iPOD TOUCH iTOUCH 2ND GEN 2G 2+LCD $4.99

8X Color Hard Back Case Cover For Apple iPhone 3GS 3G S $0.01

HARD CASE COVER FOR Apple iPOD Touch 3 G 3RD Generation $5.99

BLING FULL DIAMOND HARD CASE FR HTC EVO 4G SPRINT PHOne $8.88

M/ Silver Hard Cover Case for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS $4.53

2 Rubber Hard Case+Screen for HTC T-Mobile Dash S620 $5.45

Dark Blue Hard Case+2x Charger For Motorola A855 Droid $7.49

LCD Protector+Clear Hard Case for Blackberry 9000 Bold $5.20

1PCS C2 Soft TPU Hard Case Cover F Apple iPhone 4G OS 4 $0.49

FOR LG VX9700 DARE LCD GUARD+CLEAR HARD CELL PHONE CASE $3.85

RED+BLACK RUBBER COATED HARD CASE COVER FOR LG CU920 VU $8.25

Black Hard Gel Case Cover for Apple iPhone 3G S 16G 32G $4.79

GOLDEN HARD CASE SLIM COVER FOR APPLE IPHONE 3G 3GS $4.59

FILM+CHARGER+ZEBRA HARD CASE for Blackberry 8330 Curve $6.50

2pcs Hard Back Housing Case Cover For Iphone 3g 3gs U11 $0.01

Delux Hard Case Cover For Apple iphone 4G 4 th $6.99

FOR APPLE IPHONE 1G NEW CRYSTAL HARD CASE SKIN COVER $4.14

BLACK HARD CASE+CAR CHARGER FOR HTC 6800 MOGUL SPRINT $7.77

RED RUBBER COATED HARD COVER CASE FOR SAMSUNG RANT M540 $2.46

Black Silver Faceplate Hard Case for Pantech ATT Link $7.22

For Samsung Strive A687 Pink Leopard Hard Phone Case $7.22

BLACK COVER HARD CASE for LG VX9100 Env 2 Envy 2 $6.05

RED RUBBER HARD Case for Blackberry 8300 8320 8330+Film $7.55

NEW HARD GEL CASE for Apple iPhone 4 4g Full Body Guard $6.99

LCD SCREEN GUARD+CLEAR HARD CASE FOR LG VOYAGER VX10000 $5.99

For HTC HD2 Black Rubber Hard Case+Car+AC Charger+Guard $8.99

FOR SPRINT PALM PRE HARD RUBBER CASE+AC+CAR CHARGER+PRO $8.59

3X TPU HARD SKIN COVER CASE FOR APPLE IPHONE 4 OS 4G SS $0.01

INCASE Perforated Hard Case for iPhone 3G 3GS Black $12.99

For Samsung Impression SGH-A877 LCD+Purple Hard Case $5.09

Rubber Hard Hawaii Case cover for Blackberry Curve 8320 $7.55

Rubber Red Hard Case for HTC Touch Diamond GSM $8.65

CAR+WALL CHARGER+HARD CASE FOR SAMSUNG SCH-i760 PHONE $6.09

AQUA mCover® HARD CASE for MacBook Pro 15.4" +KBD COVER $15.95

HARD CASE RUBBER BLACK+LCD PRO FOR SAMSUNG M900 MOMENT $6.99

Metallic PURPLE Hard Case For Blackberry Curve 8330 $3.37

BLACK HARD CASE+CAR CHARGER FOR SAMSUNG SGH-A837 RUGBY $8.05

Clear Hard Case+Wall&Car Charger For Apple iPad wifi 3G $9.49

BLACK/BLACK RUBBER DUAL IPHONE 3G/3GS SLIDE HARD CASE $5.99

Black / White Hard Cover Case for iPhone 3G 3GS $0.10

Flip Snake Leather Hard Case for iPhone 3GS S 3G FSMIX $8.74

New 8 Hard Back Case Cover for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS S $0.99

10 Color Hard Back Case Cover For Apple iPhone 3G 3GS S $0.99

3.5 USB 2.0 SATA HDD Hard Drive External Case/Enclosure $8.09

CLEAR HARD Cover CASE FOR BLACKBERRY Curve 8320 8330 $3.49

Flip Snake Leather Hard Case for iPhone 3GS S 3G FSMIX $7.11

Brother 5300 Universal Sewing Machine Carrying Case $19.99 The 5300 is a universal carrying case to store most free arm sewing machine models or sergers. It is a hard cover case which gives great protection for your machine and helps to keep it clean when not in use....

Singer 611.BR Universal Hard Carrying Case for Most Free-Arm Sewing Machines $19.88 universal sewing machine carrying case...

China Dinnerware Storage - Deluxe Quilted Microfiber (Light Gray) (12H x 12.25W x 6D) $19.52 Protect your dishes in this set of 4 plate storage containers. Any type of dish, from the finest China to seasonal dishes can benefit by the use of these protective storage bags. The quilted Microfiber fabric is sturdy and soft, ideal for china storage. Included in this set are 12" Dinner Plate Case, 9.5" Salad Plate Case, 8" Dessert Plate Case and a 7" Saucer Case. Each case comes with 8 cushione...

Guns N' Roses - Welcome to the Videos (Keep Case) $8.84 Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 10/03/2006...

Live In Ukraine (2 CD/1 DVD Set) $49.69 When it comes to taking logic-defying challenges, Queen have never fought shy: think Hyde Park, Latin America, Live Aid. All these years later, Queen are still living adventurously. Here's the case in point: just weeks ahead of the start of the band's 2008 Queen + Paul Rodgers' The Cosmos Rocks tour the band were approached to help Ukraine's Elena Franchuk ANTIAIDS Foundation reach out to the yout...

for TMOBILE HTC G1 GOOGLE RUBBER HARD HOLSTER CASE $3.34 Rubber coated case is attractive and usable while protected from external dust and scratches in this clip on case accessory.Extremely tough, durable case molds perfectly to your phone's shape without compromising usability.Provides easy access to all functions without removing the case.Shock absorbent and shatterproof.Includes a removable swivel belt-clip for easy carrying.Unique swivel design let...

North American Angler Video Adventure (NAFC North American Fishing Club Presents 8 VHS set in hard cases) Join with the North American Fishing Club staff, fellow Members and some of the nation's leading angling pros as they travel North America for the best in fishing excitement. Each Volume of the North American Angler Video Adventure contains a solid hour of fishing action, tips and tales....

Ben Hogan - A Hard Case from Texas [VHS] ...

TOMORROW DAD WILL STILL BE DEAR by Bonnie Kraf. Hard clamshell case with graphic as shown. 90 minutes, full-color, voice-over, close-captioned. Cross-cultural aspects of the world of ASL & spoken English. A coda's perspectives on the Deaf community. Behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of the hearing. The place of codas in the Deaf culture. Entertaining and educational! Bonnie Kraft is a fourth-generation storyteller as well as a teacher, interpreter, and speaker. 1997 DawnPictures. Hard clamshell case with graphic as shown. 90 minutes, full-color, voice-over, close-captioned. Cross-cultural aspects of the world of ASL & spoken English. A coda's perspectives on the Deaf community. Behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of the hearing. The place of codas in the Deaf culture. Entertaining and educational! Bonnie Kraft is a fourth-generation storyteller as well as a teacher, interpre...

Rockwell RK5107K SoniCrafter 73-Piece Complete Professional Kit $264.56 The Rockwell RK5107K SoniCrafter 73-Piece Variable Speed Complete Professional Kit comes with the SoniCrafter — one of the most versatile power tools ever invented — plus different accessories for a variety of applications.  The SoniCrafter's super-high-frequency oscillating action makes the RK5107K the go-to tool if you want a smooth-running tool that can do just about everything...