Mobile Computing: Notebook Bag Buyers' Guide

James A. Martin

The right bag makes all the difference. We talk features and products.

Feature: It's All in the Bag

I did something in the Pittsburgh airport just over two years ago that I suspected was foolish then and that I regret now.

I bought a computer bag--on impulse. At the time, I was carrying my notebook in a backpack, and my back was killing me. So I popped into a luggage store between flights, dropped $150 on a wheeled computer bag from a manufacturer I'd never heard of before or since, and headed for my connecting flight.

To bring this sorry saga full circle, I was between flights recently when the retractable handle of this no-name bag broke. I pushed the handle back down into its chamber, but it never came back up again. When I returned home, I discovered the bag's warranty had expired. And a luggage shop manager whom I trust told me it would cost almost as much to fix the retractable handle as it would to buy a new bag.

So I'm back in the market for a notebook bag. This time I've put some thought into it, and I've drawn up a list of requirements that I'll share with you this week. It's doubtful that any one bag will meet all my needs, or yours. But the list below should help you determine your priorities and find just the right bag.

Basic Necessities

Wheels. I have one of those heavy desktop-replacement notebooks (another purchase I've come to regret, truth be told). Lugging it around in a shoulder bag or notebook backpack just isn't an option. In fact, I find it difficult to imagine why anyone would want to lug a computer--even a 3-pound ultraportable--strapped to their shoulder or back. It just doesn't make sense, chiropractically speaking.

Fortunately, there are countless wheeled bags that accommodate computers of all sizes. I suggest starting at my favorite source, EBags, which sells nothing but bags. If for no other reason, I use it for research. I'll print out information on bags that interest me and take it to a store where I can actually put my hands on the merchandise. (EBags offers a 30-day money back guarantee, by the way.)

If you already have a shoulder bag or backpack you like, consider putting it on a wheeled cart. You might want to look at the Carry Cart, sold online at SkyMall.com. The $80 cart folds up so that it's roughly the size of a compact umbrella when not in use.

Easy access. This may seem like an obvious need, but many notebook bags I've checked out don't exactly make it easy to retrieve the computer. For instance, to get to my notebook I had to pull my now-broken no-name bag out from under the airplane seat or drag it from the overhead compartment. Then I had to zip it open, pull back the Velcro-attached strap that kept the notebook in place, and worm the computer out of its pocket.

U.S. Luggage makes a rolling computer bag that provides zippered access from the side and top, making it significantly easier to retrieve your computer. With the side access, you could retrieve your notebook from under the seat or the overhead compartment without having to pull the bag out. The Ballistic Nylon Dual-Access Rolling Computer/Overnighter is available at EBags for $70.

A front pocket. Lately, I've had to remove everything but a few cavity fillings to get past the airport metal detectors. To make things easier, my next computer bag must have a front pocket in which I can store anything that might make me beep: keys, rings, belt, watch, coins. I plan to put my change in a zippered pouch, so I won't have to contend with loose coins.

Do you carry a wallet with a money clip? If so, put it in the bag's front pouch, too. Money clips often contain metal and can cause the detectors to beep. Keep your dollar bills in a pocket for easy access when the tiny bottles on the beverage cart beckon. As for ID, if you're not too self-conscious, get one of those ID holders that hangs around your neck. You can find one for about $10; some include a place to store your airplane ticket, too.

A waterproof pocket. Savvy travelers keep a bottle of water handy at all times, as air travel is notoriously dehydrating. Some newer bags, such as Tumi's new Expandable Organizer Computer Brief ($295), include a pocket for stashing your water.

Comfortable, convenient size. Notebook bags aren't weightless, of course; some wheeled bags I've seen weigh as much as 15 pounds without anything in them. EBags is a good resource here, as it provides weight information for suitcases and computer briefcases.

For maximum convenience, look for a computer bag that can fit under an airline seat. Surprisingly, most airlines don't offer size guidelines for under-seat storage. In my experience, though, a bag with dimensions of approximately 16 inches long by 15 inches wide by 8 inches high generally fits.

Also, keep your notebook's dimensions in mind when shopping for a bag. Many desktop replacement models feature 15-, 16-, even 17-inch displays. Those oversized notebooks don't fit in all computer bags. EBags' search feature--which lets you browse for bags by notebook make and model--is helpful.

Room for a change of clothes. It's often a good idea to carry a change of clothes--fresh underwear, at a minimum--in case you and your luggage end up taking separate trips. Many notebook bags don't offer much extra space, however. And though airlines allow you to carry two items on board, it may be a hassle to carry a small suitcase and a notebook bag.

The U.S. Luggage bag mentioned earlier--as well as some other models--offers a compartment for clothes. Also, consider buying a wheeled suitcase with a front pocket big enough to accommodate a notebook (in a padded computer sleeve). You'll need a large front pocket, so that you can easily remove the notebook at the airport security check point.

If you go the suitcase route, buy a computer sleeve with a shoulder strap. That way, you can carry the computer before and after the airport security screening process, hands free.

Other Considerations

• A manufacturer's warranty that covers at least three years. Some, such as Briggs & Riley, offer lifetime warranties.
• A front-panel pocket for your mobile phone, because you're not allowed to keep the phone on your person as you pass through the metal detector.
• Exterior or interior pockets for a PDA and/or MP3 player.
• A hook for your keys.
• And most importantly, an interior pocket to store favorite CDs and DVDs-- because it's going to be a long trip.

NOTEBOOKS & ACCESSORIES

Tip: Save on DVD Rentals

Online DVD rental services are ideal for those of us who travel with DVD-equipped notebooks. Instead of worrying about late fees, you pay one monthly membership fee, and you can keep a DVD out as long as you like. (For my review of online DVD rental services, read "Mobile Computing: Rent Movies for Your Notebook.")

For example, the standard Netflix plan is $20 a month, which allows you to have up to three discs out at any time. There are ways to cut that monthly fee, however. Netflix offers an even better low-cost monthly plan, called the Netflix Economy Program. For $14 per month, you can have two DVDs out at a time. You can only rent up to four DVDs per month, however. Also, this plan isn't presented as an option to new subscribers. You must first subscribe at the standard $20 monthly plan and downgrade your membership later.

Wal-Mart.com, the online arm of the giant retailer, currently offers a monthly DVD rental plan of $15.54, which allows you to have any two discs checked out at a time. (Previously, Wal-Mart's lowest-priced monthly plan was $18.86 for three titles.)

News: A Sequel From Bose

Bose's QuietComfort noise-canceling headphones have been a hit with airplane travelers who enjoy listening to music and watching DVDs on their notebook but don't want the experience degraded by a wailing infant in the next seat. The company recently introduced the QuietComfort 2 ($299), which promises enhanced sound quality, with noise-canceling circuitry built directly into the headphones (instead of in a box on the cord, as with the original headphones).

News: Iomega Unveils Multiformat DVD Burner

Iomega plans to ship an external version of its new multiformat Super DVD Drive in September. The drive combines all three rewritable DVD formats: DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM. The external drive connects to computers via USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 ports. As of this writing, pricing wasn't available.

HANDHELDS

News: Gateway, HP Introduce PDAs for New OS

Gateway has entered the PDA market with a handheld based on Microsoft's updated PDA operating system, Windows Mobile 2003. The Gateway 100X sports a 400-MHz Intel XScale processor and a 3.5-inch screen. Pricing should be $300 to $350.

Meanwhile, Hewlett-Packard has announced several new IPaqs (beginning at $299) based on Windows Mobile 2003. The handhelds feature integrated Bluetooth wireless technology, Secure Digital card slots, and Secure Digital I/O expansion slots, plus software for printing to Bluetooth and infrared printers.

For additional details on the Gateway and HP handhelds, read "HP, Gateway Unveil PDAs for New OS."

News: ViewSonic Has a New PDA, Too

Meanwhile, ViewSonic has a new multimedia PDA, the V36, also based on Windows Mobile 2003. The V36 ($329) includes a built-in digital camera that's capable of capturing images of up to 640 by 480 pixels.

But probably the coolest thing about the V36 is the ability to use ViewSonic's new wireless networking SDIO card. The tiny card ($129) is billed as the world's smallest Wi-Fi adapter; it will initially work with the V36 only, the company says. Other companies are expected to introduce small Wi-Fi adapter cards for PDAs soon, too.

News: All-in-One PDA/GPS

Announced months ago, Garmin's IQue 3600, a Palm 5 OS-based PDA with an integrated global positioning system receiver, should be available by the time you read this. Listing for $589, the device offers automatic route calculation, turn-by-turn voice directions, complete street addresses, and a 320-by-480-pixel transflective TFT display. Plus, it weighs 5.2 ounces--light enough to carry in your pocket.

For my primer on buying GPS products, see "Mobile Computing: GPS Buyers Guide."

WIRELESS

News: Sync Cell Phone and PC

Due in September, FutureDial's SnapPro allows you to sync phone numbers from your mobile phone with ACT, Outlook Express, Lotus Notes, and the Palm desktop applications. When you connect your phone and computer with a USB cable, the software transfers your phone data to the PC. Your phone numbers go into a file for backup. Once the data is on your computer, you can transfer it to another mobile phone or sync it with the names and addresses in your e-mail address book or contact list. SnapPro is expected to cost about $50.

Suggestion Box

Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it.

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