Planning my upcoming commuter bike, and I'm pretty much down to what I'm going to carry my work PC back and forth in. My company recently upgraded me to a big honkin' Lenovo W701! This is a big, heavy laptop - 16.1" x 12.2" x 1.6", and weighs 9 Lbs!

Along with the computer they gave me a Swiss Army brand backpack that the PC barely fits in. I was initially thinking about just using the backpack, but I can foresee in a crash the computer getting broken. That would not be good. And I'm worried about balance issues - I've never ridden with any backpack heavier than my Camelbak Sabre.

I've pretty much got to carry the PC back and forth, as there is no secure place to lock the computer up at the job site (currently a construction site), and I need to take it home with me for weekend work and to handle customer-support calls.

Does anyone have any experience with carrying a computer of this size? Any panniers that won't break the bank - or the computer?

EDIT: I would be OK with adding a rear rack, but what sort of strategy could I use to strap the Swiss Army backpack to the rack securely, so it doesn't shift and so that the backpack straps don't get loose and get into the spokes?

yeah, i used to carry a 17" in a large messenger bag.
i did crash, and the bag slung forward, and i landed right on it, smashing the laptop.

so..... i suggest a backpack. i have a pretty big one (mission workshop vandal) but i dont have the 17" laptop anymore, but the 15" fits more then fine.

No rack on the bike?, Panniers? how about a big front basket?

Nashbar has a single Pannier /backpack, can be either

There's lots of options... panniers, front rack, backpack, trailer, etc.

What I do with my 15" laptop is put it in a thin backpack, and stuff that in a saddlebag pannier.

So far, all of the panniers and baskets are too small to accept this laptop in its backpack. Remember, this thing is BIG!

I think what I'm going to have to do is buy a rear rack, then just strap the backpack with the PC inside on the rack. I'm thinking about one of those kickstands that mount to the rear of the chainstay and seatstay back at the rear derailleur hanger. That, at least, will support the bike while I'm strapping it on and removing it. I also saw a stretchy mesh net that is made to hook on to the rack, and that may work out for strapping the backpack down and keeping the straps contained.

I already have a fairly large touring style handlebar bag that can carry my incidentals - lunch, rain jacket and helmet cover, etc.

Guess we'll see how it works out.

Any other suggestions will be appreciated.

this is not small .. https://www.paulcomp.com/flatbed.html

I own one , nicely made .. machined aluminum and 1/2" round stock,
anodized, and now in black too.

And tpelle has apparently not seen a Wald industrial delivery Bicycle basket.

I got this from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

Cheap M-Wave panniers. The top pannier is basically a large laptop bag. It fits my 15.4" with a lot of room to spare... just eyeballing it I think you could get a 17" in there with change. I'll try and remember to take it to work with me today and see if the 17" laptop at work will fit into it.

They're cheap panniers, but they've held up very well. Not rainproof, but it also has a rainfly (sold separately) you can buy (also at Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/M-Wave-122319-..._bxgy_sg_img_b

As an aside, I got caught in a surprise storm once without the rainfly... I don't know if I'd be comfortable with a laptop, but my clothes were only a titch damp at the bottom of the bag. If you live in a rainy area, I'd definitely recommend having the fly with you at all times. But the fly has been sufficient for me (I did touch it with Scotch Guard for added protection). With the fly, I wouldn't worry about sensitive electronics back there.

Being on top of the rack, it seems less worrying to me that the bike would crash in a way that it could get knocked about too much. I suppose the side could slap against the asphalt, but if you pack it right I think even that possibility could be averted.

Sudo, that's the best solution I've seen so far, and yes, I think my Lenovo would just about fit. I suppose it would fit any rack, huh?

I use a Caradise bike beuro Works great on my rack. I carry a 17" HP

I have a large screen Toshiba laptop at work and carry it in a backpack on the rare occasions I have to take it home.

The biggest downside for me is the sweaty back. My commute is only 6+ miles each way so the weight isn't a real problem. If I had a longer commute I suspect the weight of the backpack would become an issue.

I've found the biggest issue with a backpack or messenger bag with a laptop that size is that it's like trying to carry a 2x12. It won't curve where you do and it's like having a board strapped to you.

As much of a big messenger bag fan as I am, if I had to carry that all the time I'd be looking for a solid pannier solution. I carry a 15" Macbook but that one's pretty easy. Terrible days I carry that and another laptop together.

Get the load off your back; in case of a crash you'll bust up the laptop and your back.
Put the load on a rear rack/pannier

I'm not sure it is a wise idea to just strap a laptop to the top of the rack- it will feel every little vibration. If it's a SSD this shouldn't be an issue. Better for it to be in a suspended compartment in a pannier OR if you don't already have a rack, a backpack. Your body will act as suspension instinctively. Since you already have a means to carry your everyday things, then maybe you might be interested in the Banjo Brothers Large backpack (the medium is too small). Maybe the company will spring for it, since it will keep the laptop dry.

It fits my rack, which is a cheap-o that I took off of a no-name Target bike and put on my Novara Randonee. I can measure it when I get home. They also have that purchase pack on there which is the Bag, fly, and rack together. Not sure if you can do anything with an extra rack, and I can't speak for it's quality though...

Also thought I'd mention that the retaining system is a set of straps and clips. One clip on the top and one on each side that clip to the rack. The top bag clips to the two bags (which are one unit that drapes over the rack (it has a handle in the center so you can take that off and carry it as sort of a weird briefcase if necessary).

I ride on average roads (with one set of railroad tracks) and haven't had any problems yet. I suppose you could put a layer of foam at the bottom if you're concerned about vibration. If you only come across rough roads rarely and not part of your normal route, the bag has a shoulder strap and can be carried as a laptop bag. Of course, if you regularly ride rough roads this could be an issue... all I can say is it hasn't yet been for me. Myself, I'd really avoid going back to backpacks if possible, but that's totally personal preference.

I have a Swiss Army backpack that I use for my laptop, and I don't have any problems with it. I have a 15.x" laptop, so it's not as large or heavy as the OPs, but with the change of clothes and shoes and lunch I regularly bring with me, along with all those "purse contents" us ladies carry, the contents of my bag probably reach somewhere around 9lbs.

I like the backpack a lot. It fits me well, is stable on my back, and in the winter provides a bit more insulation. Yeah, it can get pretty sweaty in the warmer weather, but that's when I throw it in a basket on my rear rack. My only problem with the backpack on the rear rack is that I actually feel the weight of it more there than on my back. And I can feel more "sway" in the bike with the load up high.

I can see the value of panniers for keeping the load off of the rider and down low, but I like the convenience of a backpack. I just need the one bag, it holds everything I need and looks good doing it. Maybe it's because of years of hiking, but I don't even really notice the backpack while I'm riding.

Also, I haven't worried much about what would happen to my laptop in a fall. I'm more worried about me. I figure if the laptop gets damaged, the IT guys will salvage what they can from the drive and replace my computer. I may get whatever they happen to have laying around, but that's good enough for me.

You could shave some of that weight by getting a second power cord to leave at the office. Even more if you jettison the battery.

I used to carry my laptop in a thin neoprene sleeve inside my backpack. When I commuted, I would put the laptop and sleeve in one pannier and the backpack in the other pannier. (BTW If you have Ortlieb panniers like I do, backpacks fit better upside down).