Four ways to carry a laptop
Everything in this department does one of four jobs. A sleeve is a padded cover the laptop slides into, used on its own or inside another bag. A hard-shell case clips onto a MacBook and stays on while you work. A laptop bag carries the laptop along with everything else you take out for the day. A tech pouch keeps the charger, cables and mouse together, so they do not rattle round the bag and scratch the lid. Many people end up with two of these: a sleeve or a shell for the laptop itself, and a bag to carry it in.
The ranges in this department
- Laptop sleeves are grouped by screen size: 13, 14, 15.6, 16 and 17 inch. They come in PU leather, felt, neoprene, canvas and padded fabric, and many have a carry handle, a front pocket or a flap that folds into a stand. See laptop sleeves.
- MacBook hard-shell cases are two clip-on pieces, one for the lid and one for the base, in clear, frosted, matte and printed finishes. See MacBook hard-shell cases.
- Laptop bags cover backpacks, messenger and shoulder bags, totes, briefcases, wheeled bags, waterproof bags and children's school bags. See laptop bags.
- Tech pouches are zipped and roll-up organisers with loops and pockets for leads, plugs, earphones and a power bank. See tech pouches.
Getting the size right
Sleeves and bags are sold by the screen size they are made for, measured corner to corner across the screen. Two laptops with the same screen size can still differ in width and depth, because of the border round the screen and its shape: a 16:10 or 3:2 screen makes a deeper laptop than a 16:9 one. So measure your laptop's width, depth and thickness, and compare them with the inside size where a product page gives it. The guide to laptop sleeve sizes shows how. MacBook shells are different again: they are chosen by the exact model, not only the screen size.
Which suits your day
A laptop that goes from the desk to the sofa, or travels inside another bag, needs only a sleeve. A daily walk or ride to work is easier with a backpack, which spreads the weight over both shoulders. A messenger bag or a briefcase is quicker to get into and looks smarter at a meeting. For rain, look at the waterproof bags, and for school, the children's bags. The comparison of backpacks, messenger bags and briefcases goes through each kind.
Questions people ask about laptop bags, cases and sleeves
Can I put a sleeve inside a laptop bag?
Yes. Many bags have a padded compartment that takes a laptop in a slim sleeve. Check the compartment is big enough for the two together.
Can a laptop go in a bag while it is switched on?
No. A laptop needs air round it, and Apple advises against using a MacBook on soft material that can block its vents. Shut it down, or check it has really gone to sleep, before it goes into a sleeve or bag.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.
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