For those that commute with their laptop, how do you protect it? I won't have a specialized pack for a laptop so I need to figure out what to cover it with. I am thinking closed cell foam and maybe some bubble wrap. Is there an easier way? I wil be commuting with a backpack.

Bubble wrap owns the universe ...

I bought a laptop backpack at the computer store. It is army green and is made by Targus. It cost I think around $40, which is more than I wanted to spend but I'm glad now I got it as it keeps my laptop safe AND dry (even in moderate rain).

Shoulder bag (Bailey Works specifically, but any of them will do). It's got some of the best suspension out there: me. It's as rain-proof as anything out there and my work clothes provide plenty of padding (mainly for my comfort).

I bought a neoprene computer sleeve. Then I put the computer in a backpack. Here's a question: Anyone carry their laptop in panniers or on a rack? Any problems or should I keep it on my back? I'm thinking in terms of shock and vibration.

I put my backpack containing my laptop in the milk crate that I have attached to my rack everyday. I've been doing this since May of this year and haven't had a problem. As long as the computer is shutdown and not suspended or hibernated you should be ok. The hardware in laptops is usually pretty secure so I wouldn't expect any components to shake loose. The LCD screens seem be able to handle the vibrations with no problems. The main thing is to make sure the hard drive isn't spinning, hence the need to shutdown.

Both suspending and hibernating will spin down the drive and leave it ready for transport. Suspension is like shutting it down only the battery continues to power the memory. Hibernation is exactly the same as shut down. The difference is on power-up it loads the previou state rather than booting into a "virgin" copy of Windows.

When I get mine my chrome back pack will keep is safe and ry

Even better, get a Firewire or USB drive. They're more robust, smaller, and lighter. Put your data on them, and take it back and forth between home and work. Your laptop will looove you, and if you're like me, your desktop PC at home can dominate the laptop every day of the week. Plus, multiple copies of your data on 2-3 different computers means redundancy. Big win there.

I tried taking my laptop with me in panniers and a saddle bag, but it just wouldn't stand up to it despite a short 1.5 mile commute. And I'm pretty easy on my gear.

I made my own bubble wrap envelope using clear vinyl tape and adhesive-backed Velcro for the closure. I do a one-way commute so I only have to carry my laptop home (I use it for Power Point presentations of my lessons so a portable storage device won't do the trick.) On the days I ride to work, I use the same bubble wrap bag to carry my clothes for the day. They arrive looking like I just ironed them!

Thats a good idea too though it could become costly if you have a lot of stuff to take with you. Another choice I would venture is an external HD. Again kinda pricey but hold more than a usb flash drive but I dunno bout how they handle when moved...don't use em

I use flash drives everyday and I love them. I'm a graphic artist so I work with a lot of larger files. You can get a size to handle most any volume of work. Heck, Sony even makes one with a 5GB capacity.