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Shoulder bag vs Backpack ?

Backpack or Shoulder bag

  • Backpack mostly

    Votes: 37 61.7%

  • Shoulder bag mostly

    Votes: 23 38.3%

  • Other; (Please explain what and why)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    60
S

Star Destroyer

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 15, 2006
376
4
So i have been debating buying a sleeve for my macbook ( i will get a sleeve, just which one is the question now)
Now that i know i want a sleeve, its between carrying it my shoulder bag or a backpack..

I would think a backpack would provide better protection since its sitting on your back and not bouncing up and down against you hip...

but what does everyone else use for thier laptop?

Backpack or shoulder bag? and WHY did you decide on this choice?
 
I use a backpack. More balanced, carries more stuff, feels more comfortable on the back, can't fall off, doesn't get in the way of you carrying stuff in your arms or under your arms.

Ironically, shoulder bags are a bit gay for me.
 
Allotriophagy said:
I use a backpack. More balanced, carries more stuff, feels more comfortable on the back, can't fall off, doesn't get in the way of you carrying stuff in your arms or under your arms.

Ironically, shoulder bags are a bit gay for me.
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware that laptop shoulder bags were having sex these days...
 
Shoulder bags are gay? Get with the times, man! Shoulder bags are brilliant, and way cooler than backbacks in every imaginable way. IMO, obv.

Shoulder bags are the backpacks of the 21st century! Or something.

But, yeah, I prefer shoulder bags by a mile. Backpacks just doesn't look good, IMO, especially if you fill them up quite a bit. I've just ordered this little baby along with my new Macbook and iPod.
 
If you are going to be carrying heavy stuff around w/you (like text books or something) I'd go for the backpack because it will evenly distribute the weight and be more comfortable. If not I'd got for the messenger bag (never heard of them referred to as "shoulder bags" before) as it's less bulky and can substitute for a briefcase in some areas of the professional world.


Lethal
 
I like backpacks because, as the poster earlier said, they distribute the weight more evenly. That being said, I don't see too many normal looking backpacks that have a laptop compartment and I like to keep mine separate from my super heavy engineering books. So, right now I have a Jansport messenger bag.:cool:
 
metroid_black.png


I just bought this one. Laptop compartment is in the very back.

-Matt
 
iGary said:
I wasn't aware that laptop shoulder bags were having sex these days...
Click to expand...

LMFAO!! Ahh, iGary. You made me die just now.

Anyway, I use a backpack. This is because it's more balanced, more comfortable, doesn't get in the way, and I keep all of my school supplies and books in it as well. It has a lot more storage and support than a shoulder strap.
 
Ther branhaven backpack has a removable padded sleeve thats really nice and the whole thing is very comfortable and very durable and i believe a midget can fit in there if you really need
 
I have a backpack. It's easier to carry, distributes the weight more and more comfortable. Plus your laptop doesn't bounce around as much as it does when in a shoulder bag.

Shoulder bags have a more professional look though. So that might be worth taking into consideration if you have to show up at meetings with clients.
 
Work gave me a Backpack for my the laptop, So when travelling to and from work what your holding doesn't scream "I've got a laptop". I find the backpack much better over the shoulder bag anyway in terms of what you are able to carry.
 
I have a Timbuk2 Backpack & a Crumpler Messenger bag for my Macbook Pro. I use my Timuk2 Backpack a lot more. I like the feel of a backpack, messenger bags make me feel like I'm lopsided. After-all I'm 130 pounds 5'9. With contents like macbook Pro, textbook, folder, scetchbook, camera, cellphone, nintendo ds inside my crumpler messenger bag, thats enough to knock me over!

Also I would consider myself VERY style'ish. In my opinion messenger bags are not chic. They look goofy most the times when I see them around. I think messenger bags look the best in a more buisness/professional way then a "I'm trying to be stylush" college student way...

Ha, this is too-much insight on backpacks. Go to bestbuy try some crappy company like Targus Backpack and Messenger bags, figure out what feel you like the best then get on the net.
 
I'm voting backpack...because I have found that if you walk further than about a 5 minute walk, a backpack is much easier to carry.
 
Shoulder bags do look cooler. And if you have a good public transport or a car then you most likely wont walk more than 10 minutes in one go. I walked 30 mins most school days to Uni with a shoulder bag with a 14" laptop and a ?"bigger" book and didnt find any real problems with it.
 
Haarball said:
Shoulder bags are gay? Get with the times, man! Shoulder bags are brilliant, and way cooler than backbacks in every imaginable way. IMO, obv.

Shoulder bags are the backpacks of the 21st century! Or something.

But, yeah, I prefer shoulder bags by a mile. Backpacks just doesn't look good, IMO, especially if you fill them up quite a bit. I've just ordered this little baby along with my new Macbook and iPod.
Click to expand...

Nice purse. ;)

I prefer a backpack because things get heavy but also because it's easier to handle while riding my bike. It's hell using it in the car, though.
 
i use the oakley backpack for my 15" mbp, its a bit of a squeeze but it was a seperate compartment in the back and it's elevated from the way bottom, so no prob placing it down reaaaaaal sloooooooow to avoid hitting the bottom. like i said, seperate compartment, get to put all my stuff, books, folders, notebooks...seperate compartments for camera, ipod....just plenty of room and it's that big... a good buy in my opinion
 
iGary said:
I wasn't aware that laptop shoulder bags were having sex these days...
Click to expand...

If they are, I can't wait 'til I get the Brenthaven I just ordered. Any cheap thrill I can get... :D



I think it's more of a sign of getting old. I'm ditching my North Face Modem backpack for the Brenthaven. More protection for the Powerbook, too.
 
The only reason to get a shoulder bag is due to looks. Backpacks are "better" in every sense (function, comfort, etc) other than how they look. They do lose on the looks department. I just have one of each. ;)
 
hmmm..

Seems like most people use backpacks here...


So backpacks DO offer better protection for you laptops, but the looks arent as good. (?)

i think i will look into buying a new backpack, has anyone tried that incase ripstop backpack that apple sells on the website (its green and tan and black)? It looks pretty awesome. any good?
 
miles01110 said:
They distribute weight much more evenly.
Click to expand...

That's the reason i got a backpack for my Macbook and didn't even consider a shoulder bag. I just prefer to have things on my back if it's even remotely heavy and i'm going to be carrying it around regularly.
 
I've been using a shoulder bag for years and haven't had any problems. And they look way better than backpacks. :)
 
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