Laptop - ugh
10-04-05, 03:54 PM
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Laptop - ugh
Shucks, I may have to take work home, ie. a laptop and don't have a backpack.
What's the best way to transport a laptop? 12" x 10"
1. wrapping and bungie tying on luggage rack seems a bit mickey mouse
2. rear panniers?
3. front panniers?
Looks for the best long term solution.
Thanks for your suggestions.
What's the best way to transport a laptop? 12" x 10"
1. wrapping and bungie tying on luggage rack seems a bit mickey mouse
2. rear panniers?
3. front panniers?
Looks for the best long term solution.
Thanks for your suggestions.
10-04-05, 04:07 PM
#2
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My worry with my laptop is it getting jarred too hard, so I like for it to be suspended somewhat. That means not attached directly to my rack. I would go with a pannier, with something on the bottom for a little more padding, and something else stuffed in to keep it from getting slung sideways.
I use a messenger bag for this, BTW, as my back provides some dampening as does having it suspended.
I use a messenger bag for this, BTW, as my back provides some dampening as does having it suspended.
10-04-05, 04:09 PM
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My suggestions would be either a pannier with a spot for a laptop (check out what Arkel sells) or a messenger bag (because its suspended by you).
10-04-05, 04:11 PM
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Ken Kifer used to do it when touring...
10-04-05, 04:11 PM
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I take my laptop nearly daily in a Timbuk2 bag with a soft lined slightly padded laptop compartment. It feels heavy just on ones shoulder, but once over ones back with strap across chest it is not noticable. I like to believe that being on me prevents hard shocks that it would get if on the bike.
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10-04-05, 04:12 PM
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Maybe something like this: Ortlieb Office Bag?
10-04-05, 04:22 PM
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+1 for the messenger bag. It's perfect for laptops. I commute with my laptop and a change of clothes most days. My normal commute is 13.6 miles each way, after riding the train ~25 miles. Some days I get up early and do the entire 43 miles on the bike, all wearing my messenger bag. I have a very comfortable Chrome bag, but they're pricey and maybe not necessary if your ride is shorter.
- Warren
- Warren
10-04-05, 04:23 PM
#8
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Ortlieb looks great, how do you mount it? Do you need a special rack or will it mount on all racks?
10-04-05, 04:29 PM
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I use a backpack with a separate zipout that allows me quick access to the laptop which is handy for the times I have to go through airport security. I usually don't carry a full change of clothes, just a shirt, but it's big enough to carry a set of clothes.
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10-04-05, 04:50 PM
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Standard pannier (for me, Arkel T-42s), and a padded laptop protector case thingy. Works like a charm. I looked into various briefcase panniers but concluded that they give up too much versatility over a standard pannier with a laptop insert.
That, or the messenger bag if I'm not on the bike with the rack. I still use the padded laptop protector thingy inside the messenger bag. Messenger bag is a heckuva lot more comfortable on the bike than a backpack.
That, or the messenger bag if I'm not on the bike with the rack. I still use the padded laptop protector thingy inside the messenger bag. Messenger bag is a heckuva lot more comfortable on the bike than a backpack.
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10-04-05, 05:50 PM
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I use an Arkel Briefcase for transporting my notebook. Very high quality! 
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10-04-05, 05:51 PM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
10-04-05, 06:53 PM
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If it doesn't fit on my USB memory stick, I don't take it home.
Rather than drag a laptop around, I'd drop some cash for a home desktop.
Rather than drag a laptop around, I'd drop some cash for a home desktop.
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This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
10-04-05, 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by dobber
If it doesn't fit on my USB memory stick, I don't take it home.
Rather than drag a laptop around, I'd drop some cash for a home desktop.
Rather than drag a laptop around, I'd drop some cash for a home desktop.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
10-04-05, 07:15 PM
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Yeah I'd never take a laptop on my bike without the extra shock absorber of my body. That said I finally got the development environment at work switched over to Macintosh so I can now replicate everything at home and stop carrying all of this crap
10-04-05, 07:28 PM
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My vote is for the messenger bag (Have a Timbuk2) for the days I need/want (work PC much better then what I have at home) to take the laptop to and from work. Another vote also for the USB keys at lest a 512K so I can pack it with images I need to edit ect.
I am not yet a fan of VPNs from my expirence they can be very finiky to get a stable conection from my home network and alway seem slow.
I am not yet a fan of VPNs from my expirence they can be very finiky to get a stable conection from my home network and alway seem slow.
10-04-05, 08:49 PM
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My commute is 36 miles round trip. I have carried my laptop via backpack many, many times and I have never enjoyed it. I have tried a messanger bag and didn't find it significantly different from a backpack. I recently picked up an Arkel Bug (pannier) and I won't be returning to the sweaty back.
10-04-05, 09:01 PM
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Man, I thought I was one of the only ones that carried a laptop! Mine is old. Weighs in at 9lbs. I have to carry it every day to work. I usually through mine on top my rear rack between my rear panniers. 28mi round trip. Yup, it sucks.
I've been lucky. No problems because of bike vibration. Even went down last year in the snow!
I've been lucky. No problems because of bike vibration. Even went down last year in the snow!
10-04-05, 09:43 PM
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If you use some kind of messenger bag, make absolutely sure that it's very secure on your back so it can't swing around. I didn't, and now I need to order a new LCD panel.
10-04-05, 09:49 PM
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Am I the only one that carries a laptop by choice?
I have a work-issued, 15" G4 Powerbook. That machine is heads and tails above my home computer (5 year old Gateway, AMD 850 desktop), and it's also the first laptop I've ever had. I figured once the novelty wore off I'd be leaving it at work more and more often, but after a year, I still carry the thing just about every day. Don't always actually use it once I get it home, but it's nice to have around.
The weird thing is, and maybe this is a symptom of a crappy bag, I find my timbuktu rides *better* with the weight of the laptop. If all I'm carrying is a change of clothes and a lunch, the damn thing shifts all over the place. Provided I can pack my clothes just right for cushioning, I'm more comfortable with the weight of the laptop in the bag...
-Trevor
I have a work-issued, 15" G4 Powerbook. That machine is heads and tails above my home computer (5 year old Gateway, AMD 850 desktop), and it's also the first laptop I've ever had. I figured once the novelty wore off I'd be leaving it at work more and more often, but after a year, I still carry the thing just about every day. Don't always actually use it once I get it home, but it's nice to have around.
The weird thing is, and maybe this is a symptom of a crappy bag, I find my timbuktu rides *better* with the weight of the laptop. If all I'm carrying is a change of clothes and a lunch, the damn thing shifts all over the place. Provided I can pack my clothes just right for cushioning, I'm more comfortable with the weight of the laptop in the bag...
-Trevor
10-04-05, 09:56 PM
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I use a Samsonite Sports Laptop Backpack. Fits up to 17" laptops and has 2 extra compartments, and a small outer pocket for a cellphone or MP3 player.
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=UTF8&v=glance
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=UTF8&v=glance
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10-05-05, 04:56 AM
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I work in several different offices and schlep my powerbook in a Jaand computer bag. Works great.
10-05-05, 05:44 AM
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For a previous job I used to haul the laptop with me every day so I get work done on the train (I would do a bike-train-bike commute) taking advantage of the down time on the train and thus be at work less during the day (plus the laptop was my only work computer!). I used a laptop backpack. Now that I have my fancy biking back pack I'd probably get a padded laptop sleeve to put in there if I had to to it again.
