Help! First time travelling w/ a laptop

[lissawynn]

This will be my first trip to WDW travelling with my new laptop. I'd like to be able to download my photos every night and do my trip reports.
I have questions for those of you who travel with yours.
First, what kind of bag do you recommend to carry the laptop? Do you have a carry-on that accommodates the computer as well as some clothes, or do you have a separate bag that just carrys the computer?
Next, do you feel safe leaving the laptop in your room all day? It was a big purchase (I'm primarily using it for my job as a teacher.) and I want to make sure that it will be there when I get back from the parks.
Finally, any tips as to what you use yours for while at WDW would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Beckles]

There are carry ons designed to carry the computer as well as clothes (so on business trips you can just take the one bag), but if you want something you can use all the time, I'd buy just a standard laptop bag.

As for leaving it in the room all day, plenty of folks do this, but I would strongly encourage you to either lock it in the safe when you're not in the room (assuming your room has a safe big enough), or what I do is I have a cable like this one that I use to lock my notebook to the desk or some other piece of fairly solid furniture.

 

[DebbieB]

You will have to take it out of the bag to go through the screening, they provide bins to put it in. I have a separate computer case.

I use the cable lock that Beckles provided the link to. I work in insurance and see theft claims all the time, I'm not trusting to just leave it out.

 

[NotUrsula]

Either cable-lock it, or put it in the hotel safe (the front desk can lock it up for you if your room safe isn't big enough.)

One thing to be sure to do; PUT YOUR NAME & PHONE # ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE LAPTOP ITSELF! A good way to do this is to have a little name plaque engraved and glue it securely onto the shell. Laptop mixups have been known to happen at security, and people who are not used to travelling with them can sometimes walk away from security and leave them behind. If there is a label on the outside, TSA can page you to come back right away, otherwise they have to open it and power it up and dig around trying to find your personal info--they don't usually bother.

Personally, I find that a vertical-shaped bag is less of a hassle when getting on planes, because it doesn't bang on the seats as you go down the aisle. Most of the travelers in my office use a plain padded laptop sleeve inside a regular rolling backpack. This new one has been getting popular here lately: http://www.ebags.com/shaun_jackson_designs_inc/laptrap/product_detail/index.cfm?ModelID=9444
The nice thing about the LapTrap is that it can be flipped open to open the laptop without completely removing it from the sleeve.

 

[prncess674]

You will probably be bringing your computer back and forth from home to school alot. I would recommend a rolling computer bag. Even the light weight computers can get heavy and the rolling bag will save your back. I have bought cheap bags in the past and they horrible to roll through the airport and the handles generally aren't long enough for a normal person's pace.

I LOVE my Brigg's and Riley bag. They are virtually indestructable and have the BEST warranty. It doesn't matter what happens to it they will fix it. Even if the airline destroys the bag.

http://www.briggs-riley.com/products/atworkforher_mrh531.htm

This bag holds my computer in an foam insulated pouch plus all the cords. It has enough space for me to drop my makeup bag and my camera accessories (charger, etc). It glides effortlessly around the airport.

Don't forget a telephone cord if you plan on dialing into your ISP to post messages and emails via a modem. If your hotel has HSIA then you will need CAT5 cable.

I usually lock mine in the in room safe but I am more worried about the confidential data than the actual machine. I would back up my data before leaving home just in case!

Confidential to Beckles: Wish we were headed to USO/IOA again this year!

 

[clkelley]

I absolutely agree on the rolling bag!! I got one from Samsonite and it has extremely easy access to the computer for security and rolls great!!

I lugged a standard shoulder computer bag through Atlanta airport once, NEVER AGAIN!. The rolling bag is the only way to go.

Carol

 

[ducklite]

I have a very different feling about laptop bags that look like laptop bags. I prefer to carry mine lose in my messenger bag. I've carried it that way for years and years, and never had a problem. It doesn't look like a laptop bag, just a ratty old messenger bag, so a laptop thief is more likely to look elsewhere (not that I'm careless). My messenger bag is a 15+ year old Tumi that's got over a million miles on it, and is still quite functional. I'm trying to avoid replacing it, because it just doesn't look worth stealing.

Anne

 

[Rjack122]

I have a laptop bag that is a backpack. It has room and padding for the laptop and many other small items. Its very easy to travel with. I strap it on my back and it leaves my hands free to carry other things. It looks just like a normal backup so no can tell you are carring a laptop.

 

[ducklite]

Rjack--

That's what my husband has to carry his laptop in.

Anne

 

[MHopkins2]

I bought a cheap and fun tote bag from Target to carry my laptop and other carry-on items in. It's tacky as all get out - aqua blue with pictures of cartoon ladies shopping - and highly unlikely to get mixed up with anyone else's at Security. I think it set me back about eight bucks.

(I used to work for a Big 6 accounting firm, so anything that looks remotely like a briefcase or laptop bag gives me hives. )

 

[tmli]

When I took my laptop on our last flight I had to turn it on for security. I was also pulled aside 2 other times to be checked and both times they had me pull it out and turn it on. So make sure the battery is charged before you head to the airport just in case.

 

[WhispyPixie]

I use a laptop backpack...it is great....and it leaves my hands free for what i need to do.....I would lock it up with a cable!!!

 

[mgilmer]

I am carrying on a wheeled luggage bag. I know I can also carryon a laptop computer bag. Question is, how large can the extra carryon computer bag be? I have looked at several laptop bags (both backpack and regular) and several are as large or larger than my regular carryon. I would hate to get to the gate and be denied boarding because of two large carryons (especially if they are both wheeled).

Mike