Roll With It: Two Notebook Bags Make Travel Easier
If you travel for a living, your body will thank you for using one of these combination suitcase/notebook cases.Michael S. Lasky, PCWorld.com
The last time I had to walk to the last gate at the airport while lugging my 6-pound notebook and all its accessories, I swore that it would never happen again. By the time I got to the plane, those 6 pounds felt more like 20, and my left shoulder sagged noticeably lower than my right.
Fortunately, luggage companies now offer dedicated computer bags that copy the runaway success of the rolling luggage we've been wheeling our clothes and personal items in for years. Unlike the rolling bags designed for clothes, bags created to tote around a computer provide the shock absorption necessary to protect your notebook's delicate LCD screen and hard disk.
I road tested two bags--Brenthaven's $369 Mobile Urban Computer Case and Sumdex's $249 2 in 1 Rolling Luggage--and loaded each with my 7.5-pound notebook and more than 4 pounds of other equipment. In the end I had peace of mind knowing that my notebook was safe as I raced to my gate at San Francisco International, and best of all, I didn't even break a sweat.
Small but Sweet
Depending on your needs, each has unique benefits. The Brenthaven Mobile Urban is a rugged case on a wheel suspension system called SoftDrive. Just like an automobile's wheels, the case's rubber wheels are fitted with springs to adjust to bumps and cracks in pavement and other surfaces. A separate removable padded PC storage envelope further cushions any knocks or falls the bag may sustain in the course of your travels.
The case is made of military-grade ballistic nylon--used in parachutes for both its lightness and its resistance to cuts and punctures--a perfect fabric for a PC case. And its hide-away telescoping handle pulls out with a touch of a button, making it easier (and less unwieldy) to move than a supermarket grocery cart.
In the main compartment are pockets of various size in which to store papers and accessories, plus a pair of additional zippered compartments for power cords, floppies, PC cards, and personal effects, so you can keep them all within reach.
I also found the Brenthaven case particularly versatile as a weekend bag. To make room for clothing, a toiletry kit, and a book, all I had to do was pop out the Velcro computer pocket. And at about 14 by 16 inches, the bag complies with most airlines' onboard luggage regulations.
Sumdex's Two Bags in One
But for true versatility, Sumdex's 2 in 1 Rolling Luggage case literally has it in the bag. The bag features a built-in removable computer case that attaches to a regular luggage bag on wheels. Like the Brenthaven case, the 2 in 1 is made of rugged steel and ballistic nylon with a telescoping handle and in-line skate wheels, but it doesn't have a suspension system as the other case does.
When I was on the move, I merely snapped on the padded computer case to make it appear as if I were rolling one piece of luggage. A trio of exterior zippered pockets provide quick access to books and papers. The main luggage compartment offers a handy detachable trifold suit compartment, a large mesh pocket for clothes and personal effects, and a removable storage pocket for small items.
The Sumdex case's two-compartment folding computer case comfortably fits most 14.1-inch-screen notebooks. It also offers all the expected compartments and pockets for files, pens, business cards, and PC accessories, and it has its own detachable shoulder strap so that you can carry it separately. With the notebook case attached to the main bag, the whole thing measures 22 by 15 inches with a depth of 11.5 inches, which is still compact enough to fit in most airplane overhead storage bins.
While both bags served to relieve the pressure on my shoulder, the Sumdex 2 in 1 Rolling Luggage case offered additional space, making it better suited to longer journeys. On the other hand, I liked the Brenthaven Mobile Urban bag's shock absorption system and small size--I'd choose it for short excursions.
Business travel is always going to be a hassle, but dragging my computer behind me instead of letting it drag me down makes life on the road decidedly more bearable. Now when someone asks, "How's business?" I can safely say, "Just rolling along."