Electronic devices may be expensive, but that does not make them indestructible. Far from it. They’re usually the most vulnerable to damage, whether that comes from being dropped, getting wet, or simply jostling around too much in transit.
If you’re trying to protect your laptop, there is no guaranteed way to do so. For this reason, you should get an insurance policy that covers laptops. It will pay out claims for both theft and damage, with certain caveats. But claiming from insurance remains a last resort.
You may be considering buying an expensive laptop bag to protect your laptop. Will this actually make a difference? Here’s what you need to know.
A laptop sleeve is a good place to start
Your laptop bag should not be the only protection you pursue for your laptop. After all, your laptop is not always going to be in its bag. This is why your first priority should be to get a laptop sleeve.
A laptop sleeve is not meant to protect your device from all eventualities. A hard sleeve can keep it from getting scratched and soften the blow if it hits the floor, but being dropped is going to jar the laptop no matter how great a sleeve you have.
That said, it is worth having so that your laptop has some protection when it is sitting on a desk or when you’re taking it from your bag.
The risks to your laptop go beyond the screen cracking
The first thing most people do when they drop their laptop is check if the screen is intact. While this is obviously important, it is not the only thing you’re protecting against. On the contrary, your laptop faces other kinds of risks, which will inform what type of laptop bag you need.
The biggest risk to the laptop that does not involve the screen is the internal components breaking or coming loose. This can happen when your laptop hits the ground hard, even if it is in a sleeve or a bag.
For this reason, you need to find a laptop bag that protects it from the impact of hitting the ground. No matter how soft the material of the bag is, your laptop is at risk as long as it has space to move.
Get a laptop bag with a snug pouch
In order to prevent internal parts from breaking, your laptop bag should keep your laptop in place as much as possible. A pouch within the bag that gives it very little space to move is perfect for this. Even if you drop your bag on a hard surface, the laptop itself is going to feel very little of the impact.
The best laptop bags are therefore those that are made for your particular laptop. They are designed to hold that specific device. Other laptop bags might come close, but they are made to more of a one-size-fits-all standard.
Of course, laptop bags made by your manufacturer may be particularly expensive, especially if you own an Apple product. However, they may well be worth it in the long run.
Multipurpose bags
The ideal bag will hold your laptop snugly, but that does not mean it can’t hold other objects as well. As long as there is a good pouch within the bag, you should be able to load up the rest of the bag with whatever else you need, including the laptop’s cable.
A full bag may dull the impact of a fall, although it can also cause the bag to hit the ground harder. Either way, you shouldn’t have to choose between a laptop bag and a multipurpose bag. A laptop bag should be able to carry other items no matter what.
A good laptop bag should protect your laptop, although having a sleeve as well helps. Since there is no guaranteed way of preventing your laptop from being damaged, make sure you have the right laptop insurance cover.