Help me buy a laptop!!

posted on June 25th, 2012, 5:48 am

Well, you basically have three choices: a shoulder bag, a backpack style, or those dinky slip covers you see Mac people using. Which you want depends on the context you'll be carrying it around in. If you plan to have a lot of other stuff to carry at the same time, a backpack might do better. The shoulder styles can carry some other items if they're flat-ish. The sleeves are good if you plan to carry it in another bag and want to prevent it.

As far as quality I'd say they're all about the same. If you got a 17"+ you might have to make sure you get a bag big enough, but I don't think you did so it shouldn't be an issue.

posted on June 25th, 2012, 6:03 am

Yep, im looking at shoulder bags, just wondering If protection was really an issue with the bags or not, never had a laptop before.

Also I just realized my laptop is comming with adobe premiere elements 10, so im hoping I can use that to edit replays on nicely...

posted on June 25th, 2012, 11:02 am

anything useful about laptop bags? what sort of info are you looking for, it's not exactly an arcane science. it's just a bag.

in fact you don't even need a bag advertised as a 'laptop bag', i used a standard messenger bag to carry my laptop and paraphernalia.

Don't bother with any fancy go faster stripe extras, just get a bag. beware that the more obvious the laptop bag is, the more you'll stand out as having something valuable for a mugger. a rucksack can hold a laptop but won't make it so obvious, if you can stand wearing a rucksack.

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EDIT: premiere elements will get the job done. but it's unnecessary. windows live movie maker is easier to use and will work fine. and if you record at HD720 resolution, you can just use handbrake to transcode ready for youtube.

posted on June 25th, 2012, 12:02 pm

Yep, im looking at shoulder bags, just wondering If protection was really an issue with the bags or not, never had a laptop before.

anything useful about laptop bags? what sort of info are you looking for, it's not exactly an arcane science. it's just a bag.

in fact you don't even need a bag advertised as a 'laptop bag', i used a standard messenger bag to carry my laptop and paraphernalia.

Don't bother with any fancy go faster stripe extras, just get a bag. beware that the more obvious the laptop bag is, the more you'll stand out as having something valuable for a mugger. a rucksack can hold a laptop but won't make it so obvious, if you can stand wearing a rucksack.

If you handle with care then the padding would not be required, but will give your laptop protection from bumps and accidental drops. Good point Myles about using a bag that does not draw attention. Ray, you could add your own padding to any old bag if you want the protection and low profile.

Or.. you could just use this. No one will ever know.

posted on June 25th, 2012, 1:46 pm

I have always used a variety of bags for mine. Backpacks with built in laptop compartments seem to be the most useful, not only because they have a lot of protection, but don't make it look like you have a laptop in it. Shoulder bags are easier to carry around though, ant take up less space.

I think it is really up to you.

Oh, but if you are looking for a good mouse to go with it, I highly recommend this series. Very cheep, long battery life, works on a glass window,( ) micro wireless adapter. Oh and the back button for the thumb is an epic win imo.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Wireles ... mouse+4000

posted on June 25th, 2012, 5:57 pm

Actually yes, thanks Zaxxon, I was gonna ask about a mouse, Ive been looking at some. Dont want to pay alot, but still want a good mouse, that microsoft one looks decent.

posted on June 26th, 2012, 8:33 pm

I have been personally using this for years.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Mouse-M505-Black/dp/B00325ME7W/ref=lh_ni_t
Mine is an older version without the "unifying" wireless technology, but that should not make any difference as far as quality.

posted on June 26th, 2012, 8:53 pm

Those are good mice too, but the buttons are too 'clicky' for me. also, it has no button thumb button, its range is not nearly as far, and it has problems with clear surfaces. That being said, it is still a great mouse. Really great battery life too. I have seen it go for as cheap as $5

posted on June 29th, 2012, 7:32 am

Well I got the new laptop yesterday. And so far my first impression is that I like it! It definintly feels solid, no flex like plastic at all, and it doesn't feel hot at all, nice and cool. I can put a bit more thorough review later after ive played around with it, a bit later.