Originally Posted by
rideBjj
Thanks for not making me explain that about how hard drives work.
Also, this computer is not just for graphics work. That's part of it, but not everything. Having the company buy another one, or me remoting into it from home, etc etc are not options.
Either I will commute with it in a pannier or I will not commute at all. If I can set something up with an acceptable level of risk against damage, short of a high speed wreck, then that should work.
I don't think I'm the first person to ever bike commute with a laptop.
Thanks all.
You're not the first person to ever commute with a laptop but most laptops weigh considerably less and are smaller to boot.
I also carry a laptop on my commutes and the right case/bag has made that easier. The one I have isn't that much more than a sleeve with a few pockets, a set of handles, and a shoulder strap. It adds about and inch to each dimension, so basically 1/4 - 1/2" of padding all the way around. There's enough room for the power supply, a few odds and ends, some paper documents, the laptop and that's about it.
Normally I use a backpack on my commutes but did use the same bag in a pannier for a few months awhile back. I've been commuting with a laptop for 7 or 8 years, all year round and I've never had an issue.
A problem you may run into is not having enough heel clearance on your bike to even use a larger pannier. That may be the case if this is a road bike. I would make sure that whatever you get you can return.