why are good cases so heavy? ..and hide that fact from you..

[stapan]

I've been shopping around for a case/backpack for my new T60p for law school...

It's funny to me how we become obsessed with laptop weights -- one pound can make a huge difference in our selection.

But then when we shop for a case, it looks like a lot of people end up with a 4, 5, or 6 pound case... or even more.. thus carrying 11+ pounds just the laptop..

Most of the web sites for these "high end boutique" cases won't tell you the actual weight. It took me quite a bit of digging around to find them.

In the end, I ended up buying a Victorinox Menash. For others looking for something really light, this one weighs in at 2.2 lbs, has great reviews, is supposed to be well built, very well designed, very protective of the thinkpad, very comfortable, inexpensive, and tons of space for books & stuff without looking big.

[Jeremy Tan]

Greetings,

Laptop bags are heavy due to many compartments in the bag and the extra paddings may take up some weight. The more heavier the bag is, the more protection your laptop will get. The lighter the bag, the lesser amount of protection.

Jeremy

[Army Chief]

This is a great point; we often obsess over relatively trivial weight differences (witness the 14.1" versus 15" debate at times), only to end up with the same basic load on our backs.

Of course, we may have different priorities when it comes to how and where we need to carry a notebook computer, but in general, I think the backback solution provides a relevant baseline for discussion.

One of the collateral issues associated with all of this is probably that computer cases have storage compartments for things other than computers, and we tend to fill them up fairly quickly with things that we think we need, largely because we just happen to have the room for them.

Me? Just give me the IBM backpack, a 15" T60, and I'm happy. I carried a 14.1" T41 all over Iraq this way, and when I was constantly on my feet, the lighter model was noticed and appreciated. These days, I'm not forced to be quite as mobile (or at least, not in the same way), so I migrated back to the luxurious large-format Flexview.

To each his own, but you're absolutely right: what do you really gain by stufing an ultralight machine into a bulky case? The latter purchase decision must be made carefully, which explains why we've got a number of threads here on case options and owner's impressions.


Chief

[archer6]

This is a great point; we often obsess over relatively trivial weight differences (witness the 14.1" versus 15" debate at times), only to end up with the same basic load on our backs.

One of the collateral issues associated with all of this is probably that computer cases have storage compartments for things other than computers, and we tend to fill them up fairly quickly with things that we think we need, largely because we just happen to have the room for them.

True. It's so easy to get distracted over the approx half pound difference between the 14.1" vs. 15".

Regarding the storage compartments in the backpack or briefcase, I'm really guilty on that one because like you say it's easy to fill them just because they are there.

Me? Just give me the IBM backpack, a 15" T60, and I'm happy. Chief

Well said! I have begun to really look at the extra "stuff" I carry (or carried) and now I leave most of it at home.

[JaneL]

Be careful with those backpacks, don't overstuff them and always carry them as designed and not on one shoulder. DAMHIK!

I use a Brenthaven wheeled bag now.

[Jeremy Tan]

Greetings,

I am very curious. Nonny, may i know why cannot carry on 1 shoulder? Bag will tear or the TP hardisk will get damaged?

Jeremy

[JaneL]

I am very curious. Nonny, may i know why cannot carry on 1 shoulder? Bag will tear or the TP hardisk will get damaged?

The bag and the HDD will be fine; the shoulder, on the other hand...

[christopher_wolf]

As Nonny said, be very careful in how you mount the backpack; else, you will end up with pain on one side or worse. The only times I have carried my backpack on one shoulder is when I have a few notebooks and pens/pencils in it..even then, it weighs about as much as what's in it.

That's why I got a nylon IBM case for my T43, it has plenty of space to put stuff, but not enough so somebody can go overboard and cram every book they have in it. With just the T43, notebooks, the power supply or an extra battery or two, various pens and pencils, and the 2nd HDD case...It is light enough to carry on my shoulder directly or crossed over bandolier style.