Is it OK to carry a laptop in a backpack?
Laptops are in use now more than ever in 2021 with flexible and remote working since Covid-19. With the world on the move again, getting the best backpack for your work laptop or your own personal computer is important. But is it OK to carry a laptop in a backpack? I’m a backpack designer and I’ll show you what to look for when carrying your laptop in a backpack or bag.
Is it OK to carry a laptop in a backpack?
There’s a difference between laptop backpacks and other kinds of backpacks that aren't designed to hold tech. It’s a bit like the difference between a passenger and cargo plane. On the outside they look the same but inside they are designed with a different purpose in mind. In the same way: most backpacks look the same on the outside but it's the inside that is important if you are carrying a laptop.
Yes, you can carry a laptop in a laptop backpack. Here are the main reasons to use a purpose-built laptop backpack which is designed to protect valuable technology when you travel:
1) Protect the laptop: A laptop backpack is constructed and padded in the right places so the laptop cannot be touched by the outside world or other hard/wet/scratchy stuff in your backpack. This means your laptop cannot easily move inside your backpack, hit hard surfaces or come into contact with anything harmful accidentally.
2) Protect the backpack: The hard plastics and metals of the laptop will not be able to damage your soft backpack materials. Yes, laptops damage backpacks if the backpack is not designed to hold it. Often backpacks that are not designed to hold laptops will get holes, wearing through thin material at the point where the laptop sits. In the worst case, the laptop will rub holes in the base of the backpack with repeated use so your laptop scrapes the ground(!) when you put it down.
TLDR; Is it OK to carry a laptop in a backpack? Yes, it is safe to carry a laptop in a backpack, if it is a purpose-built laptop backpack. A laptop backpack prevents harm coming to your laptop and to your backpack, so both last longer and look better.
