ThinkPad Case - Hard or Soft sided case?

[Red_October_7000]

I am debating buying a new case for my ThinkPad; I currently carry my "User" R30 in a softsided briefcase with all my papers and books that I need; it's a little cramped up in there with all its accessories (and it has many) and the books; so I'm thinking about getting it its own case. I want something that will protect it well; but as a longtime photographer I am leary of hardsided cases; conventional wisdom among photogs is that they just scream "Steal Me! Contents are Valuable!" Then again, I've dropped my laptop case more than once and broken plastic pieces off of my old Compaq; when I had that...

So my choice is some sort of soft case, or something like a Halliburton Zero, which would resist smallarms fire and surive being run over by a medium-sized vehicle... What does anyone think?

[ThinkPad R]

just get a protector. if you are worried about robberies, then get a steel cable from Lenovo.

[tincbtrar]

Hi There!

Well...I decided to get a waterfield laptop sleeve. It has excellent construction and its worth the money. Even the customer service is fantastic. I mean really fantastic. Hard cases wont work with me because im a student and I need to carry books around as well. This sleeve is definatly recommended.

In regards to theft...I live in NYC and attend a public university. These two factors = LAPTOP THEFT! What I did was get insurance through Safeware. It is supposed to cover theft and it wasnt all that expensive, considering the consequences.

HTH,
Brian

[davidspalding]

I just posted my favs to a thread about sleeves or bags. Consider that if you use a soft bag, you can use things like cooling pads or notebooks to provide some side-impact rigility.

As far as dropping ... don't do that. Unless you get a Pelican case and surround your TP in foam, note even a hard briefcase can ensure the TP won't get damaged from the impact. I'd focus on something with a really good strap and handle combo that you won't easily drop. (The strap that comes with some Patagonia bags, like the One Bag that I use, are comfy and also made of a material that doesn't easily slip off the shoulder.)

For more serious theft issues, I have two Kensington locks, one keyed the other combo. Both are easy to carry and simple to use. Not theft-proof (as so many people are eager to yell out), but a simple deterrent to opportunistic thieves.

[Red_October_7000]

I not worried enough to buy insurance (since it is basically placing a bet that something bad will happen), and I realize that even if you lock you laptop in a millitary-type case anyone who wants it can still swipe the case and cut the TP out at their leisure. I just don't want to advertise that I've got something worth stealing. (And considering its age, it isn't really, ) I don't like the little slipcase things; And besides I have far too many accessories. (Power supply because the battery only lasts 45~55 minutes, Floppy drive, CDRW, ZIP250, Port Replicator, Wireless card, and so on...) I think I'll stick with what I've got until it gets too worn out and then get a better laptop briefcase.

[schen]

Or go with a variety....whaterver works for the particular job that is. On a daily basis, I use a sleeve that can go into my regular nylon briefcase taking it back and forth to work with me (and my papers, palm, pens, etc). I also use an old Port Corporate standard case when I have "computer" work to do and I need a lot of my accesories. I got this case for a very small amount on ebay. They are quite often surplused in bulk when corporations "off-lease" their notebooks. I also have an old Zero Halliburton "hardcase" that occassionally gets used when I need maximum protection. I got this thing from a pawn shop for $20.

It's a lot of cases to keep around, but it always works 'cause they are always the "right tool" for the job instead of making one case work for everything.

[Red_October_7000]

Excellent idea; I actually got a halliburton Zero at a yard sale for either $0.50 or $1; I forget which, but I gave it to my ladyfriend (she has cats and kids; protecting the laptop is important). They're quite cheap on ebay, of course, following "Red's Rule of ebay: any given item will likely cost any of the following: 1/10th what it should, 1/2 what it should, 2x what it should, or 10x what it should"