Which Way to Carry Laptop?

[Mr. Monsieur]

I guess this is a pretty picky question...but if there's a 'right' answer, then I guess it's worth asking!:

What is the best way to carry one's laptop, so as to protect and preserve it as well as possible? That is to say, which side should face down? The front end, the back end, the left side or the right side? Actually, in my case, my backpack holds the laptop vertically, so I need to know if the left or the right side should be down... :o

[SilentPanda]

It makes a TON of difference. Especially with an Apple laptop.

You must always tote it so when you pull it out of the bag the Apple logo is right side up and facing *away* from you. This way everybody can see how cool you are... :D

[virividox]

i always carry it right side up

dunno why just do

[stoid]

The best way to carry your laptop is to leave the screen open and grip the screen as tightly as you can will thumb pressed into the screen. if you notice the rim around the screen is slightly raised. This is there to keep your thumb from slipping off.

[7on]

I carry mine latch down, because my TI book kept accidentally opening with the hinge down. I kept pressing the release button.

[Mr. Monsieur]

All right, all right...next time I'll try to be more savvy and simply ask a poll question, non-chalantly, "Just curious, which direction does your laptop stand, when you carry it in your laptop case?"...

lesson learned. :rolleyes:

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Carefully, very carefully... :rolleyes:

[SilentPanda]

All right, all right...next time I'll try to be more savvy and simply ask a poll question, non-chalantly, "Just curious, which direction does your laptop stand, when you carry it in your laptop case?"...

lesson learned. :rolleyes:


I was being serious... :) I always carry mine like that for that sole purpose. It just feels better. I know it's in poor taste of me but... I just gotta do it that way.

[Mord]

I keep mine in an old scragy PE bag in my backback this comes from taking it to a large comprehencive school

[Mr. Monsieur]

I was being serious... I always carry mine like that for that sole purpose. It just feels better. I know it's in poor taste of me but... I just gotta do it that way.

No, no...I understand COMPLETELY...and yours was a good answer...I was referring to *certain* other persons who posted... ;)

[mkrishnan]

Ummmm, in the past I always had bags that carried the laptop in the ummm orientation where one of the longer edges is on the bottom. Then I always put the hinge end on the bottom, and the back of the laptop closer to the center of the bag. Dunno why on the latter, but the former cuz its easier to pull out from the non-hinge end. But it might actually be better the other way around because....

For my iBook G4 I use a backpack case that stores it in the orientation where the shorter edges are on top/bottom. I always put it in so that the power supply plug is on the top -- then the bottom of the laptop is on the padding side of the backpack, closer to my back. The reason I do this is so that I can leave the laptop in the bag, the bag on the floor, with the power cord plugged in and snaking out through the zipper. :) So in the same way it might be easier to put it in an attache style bag with the hinge up-top so the power cord can snake out.

Okay, that was way too introspective. :D

[sandercox]

Well, I've 'learned' that for my iBook the best way is to have the bottom of the system facing your back. Otherwise the bends in your back will cause pressure to be applied to the center of the screen which can leave those nasty screen marks.
For me carrying it this way I have never had any marks again!

And my new PB17" will be treated even more carefully by using that piece of 'whatever it is' that is between the screen and keyboard when it is shipped, whenever I take it with me when I travel... (I wonder how long I'm actually gonna do that :) )

[SilentPanda]

And my new PB17" will be treated even more carefully by using that piece of 'whatever it is' that is between the screen and keyboard when it is shipped, whenever I take it with me when I travel... (I wonder how long I'm actually gonna do that :) )

I've had my lil' sliver of foam there since I got my iBook G4 in November! keep it up!

[KooBrewoP]

just remember not to carry it when its sleeping

[Mr. Monsieur]

just remember not to carry it when its sleeping

Is that right? My friend always carries it around while its sleeping...in fact, he impressed me one time by whipping it out one day while we were travelling on a bus, to show me something...he kinda uses it like others use their pda's! I thought the hard drive stops turning when its sleeping?

[Capt Underpants]

just remember not to carry it when its sleeping

Why? I always carry mine when sleeping, and have had no problems. Is there some problem that occurs from carring the laptop while sleeping?

[winwintoo]

just remember not to carry it when its sleeping

Why not??

I never turn mine off. Am I shortening it's life?? Oh dear :(

m

[mkrishnan]

*frowns* Yeah, I do that all the time too. Is it bad? :(

[7on]

is there any other way to carry it?

[abhishekit]

is there any other way to carry it?
:D absolutely second that..who really shuts down except in case of a software update(that requires it)?

[ClimbingTheLog]

These sleevecases are awesome, I got a new one with my new iBook G4 after I had one for my iBook/500 and used it all the time:

http://www.sfbags.com/PRODUCTS/SC_INFO/sc.htm

I prefer the kind where the back hinge slides in first. It's faster to pull out that way because it's the shorter aspect, and you're already looking it the right way.

Put it in your bag whichever way it needs to be so you can pull it out with the hinge away from you - unless you like to fumble around alot.

Edit: oh, and they're made in the good old US of A, even if it's in the pinko stronghold of San Francisco. They don't actually say whether Americans are doing the sewing.

[ZaniCWB]

just remember not to carry it when its sleeping

That was the most dumb thing I've read in a while...

Apple suggests you to have your Mac always sleeping (and not turned off). And that's quite obvious. Why on the Earth Apple would make the best "sleeping mechanism" ever, if you have had to shut down when you're carrying your notebook?

Think first... then type.

[MacFan26]

These sleevecases are awesome, I got a new one with my new iBook G4 after I had one for my iBook/500 and used it all the time:

http://www.sfbags.com/PRODUCTS/SC_INFO/sc.htm

I prefer the kind where the back hinge slides in first. It's faster to pull out that way because it's the shorter aspect, and you're already looking it the right way.


I second the sleevecases. They're not bulkly and are protective and great for light travelling. I put the latch end in first. I don't know why, I think it's just because the hinges stick out a little bit, so I put them at the top.

[mkrishnan]

:D absolutely second that..who really shuts down except in case of a software update(that requires it)?

Hmm...maybe he meant don't carry the PB while *YOU'RE* asleep. Now that's very sound advice! :D

[Capt Underpants]

Hmm...maybe he meant don't carry the PB while *YOU'RE* asleep. Now that's very sound advice! :D

Nope. He said its. Dont carry it while it's sleeping.

Now, don't carry it while you're sleeping is good adice, though. I'll keep that into consideration next time I find myself in a sleep walkin', power computin' mood.

[KooBrewoP]

That was the most dumb thing I've read in a while...

Apple suggests you to have your Mac always sleeping (and not turned off). And that's quite obvious. Why on the Earth Apple would make the best "sleeping mechanism" ever, if you have had to shut down when you're carrying your notebook?

Think first... then type.

I was always told that the hard d was not locked down and that could cause damage.. but with all you angry people shouting at me, i begin to think i might be wrong - maybe just older pb? :p :(

[rendezvouscp]

I was always told that the hard d was not locked down and that could cause damage.. but with all you angry people shouting at me, i begin to think i might be wrong - maybe just older pb? :p :(

Apple suggests in their manuals not to move the machine while it is on (I believe those are the words). My dad always freaks out when I raise his PB off his desk about an inch to even disconnect a cord. But I always think to myself, "Now, can you tell me what an iPod is again?" There really should be no concern when it is sleeping though. Unless you are my dad :eek:.
–Chase

[MacFan26]

Apple suggests in their manuals not to move the machine while it is on (I believe those are the words).

Doesn't that sort of really mean while the hard disk is running? If it's sleeping, the computer isn't really running, therefore it shouldn't be a problem to move, do you think?

[rendezvouscp]

Doesn't that sort of really mean while the hard disk is running? If it's sleeping, the computer isn't really running, therefore it shouldn't be a problem to move, do you think?

True true, but I think their words are "on," as in with power. But, anyhow, there aren't any worries in moving the PB while it is even (in any way) "on."
–Chase

[abc123]

mine makes weird noises if i move it around (tilting) while it is turned on and NOT ASLEEP, it is a sort of buzzing noise.

[mkrishnan]

I was always told that the hard d was not locked down and that could cause damage.. but with all you angry people shouting at me, i begin to think i might be wrong - maybe just older pb? :p :(

Didn't mean to yell...sowwy :( But if that were true it'd totally make the sleep feature useless wouldn't it? :o I couldn't find anything one way or the other on apple.com, but my experience with apple and pc laptops is that users do use them this way.

[Capt Underpants]

Okay. I have gotten tto the bottom of this sleeping hard drive thing. i opened up my powerbook manual and found thia warning.

"Warning: wait a few seconds until the white sleep light on the display latch starts pulsating (indicating that the computer is in sleep and the hard disk has stopped spinning) before you move your powerbook. Moving your computer while the disk is spinning can damage the hard disk, causing loss off data or the inability to start up from the disk."

Okay. You can move the powerbook while it's sleeping, but not while it is in the process of starting to sleep.

Get it? Got it? Good!

[Mr. Monsieur]

absolutely second that..who really shuts down except in case of a software update(that requires it)?

All right...I know it's sort of another issue...but as it was raised... *I* shut down every evening...won't this help save the battery?

Okay. You can move the powerbook while it's sleeping, but not while it is in the process of starting to sleep.


So I guess it's not the best idea to move it from my desk to my bed while it's on?

[Capt Underpants]

All right...I know it's sort of another issue...but as it was raised... *I* shut down every evening...won't this help save the battery?



So I guess it's not the best idea to move it from my desk to my bed while it's on?

According to that warning, no. If the hard drive isn't really workin that hard, though, I'd say it's safe. Just don't move it when you're starting up, as the hard drive is doing alot of work then.

as for the shutting down and sa ving the battery life, I am not sure. If it,s on, doesn't it just draw power from the plug(if it's plugged in)? If no power goes through the battery, I don't see how it could hurt the machine. If anyone can elaborate on this, that would be great.

[MacManDan]

mine makes weird noises if i move it around (tilting) while it is turned on and NOT ASLEEP, it is a sort of buzzing noise.

Uh oh ... I recommend backing up all of your data as soon as you can. That happened to mine as well (on two separate occasions) and a few days later the hard drive died. I hope you still have warranty??

[abc123]

Uh oh ... I recommend backing up all of your data as soon as you can. That happened to mine as well (on two separate occasions) and a few days later the hard drive died. I hope you still have warranty??
it is about a month old and was doing it from the moment that it arrived. i have the equivalent of applecare because i bought it through the educational store so i should be right.

[rendezvouscp]

it is about a month old and was doing it from the moment that it arrived. i have the equivalent of applecare because i bought it through the educational store so i should be right.

Curious, what is the equivalent of AppleCare?
–Chase

[mkrishnan]

All right...I know it's sort of another issue...but as it was raised... *I* shut down every evening...won't this help save the battery?

Do you mean save the battery in the "save it from wearing out" sense or the "reduce current charge level" sense?

For the latter, I agree with the Captain. :) For the former, I guess if its running off battery, the power lost from a shutdown and a restart is probably less than the power lost by a night of sleep, but not 100% sure -- there's all that hard drive action during bootup.

[abc123]

Curious, what is the equivalent of AppleCare?
–Chase
apple australia gives an extended warranty to educational purchases for free, it is basically apple care but they don't advertise it as such. you have to look at the fine print to pick up on it. it also doesn't include ipods and isights i believe.

[Mr. Monsieur]

Do you mean save the battery in the "save it from wearing out" sense or the "reduce current charge level" sense?


I meant the former...from what I can tell from looking at my energy gauge, when the iBook is plugged in, it is always working on 99% of (battery) power...which suggests to me that it continues to charge...maybe I'm wrong, though...especially as the plug going into the side of the machine remains green (whereas when I power the machine up in the morning it is always yellow-it has obviously been using some energy resources, to keep the time going, I suppose, among other things)...All to say...maybe it is better to keep it in sleep all the time. The applecare guy I spoke with suggested that it is better for the computer/battery if you turn it off at night and restart in the morning. I'd hate to think that this was just a ploy to wear down iBook batteries (I don't think Apple is doing *that* badly, to say the least!)...maybe, as someone said to me on another thread 'it makes zero difference' and, once again, I am just splitting hairs? :o

[Capt Underpants]

I meant the former...from what I can tell from looking at my energy gauge, when the iBook is plugged in, it is always working on 99% of (battery) power...which suggests to me that it continues to charge...maybe I'm wrong, though...especially as the plug going into the side of the machine remains green (whereas when I power the machine up in the morning it is always yellow-it has obviously been using some energy resources, to keep the time going, I suppose, among other things)...All to say...maybe it is better to keep it in sleep all the time. The applecare guy I spoke with suggested that it is better for the computer/battery if you turn it off at night and restart in the morning. I'd hate to think that this was just a ploy to wear down iBook batteries (I don't think Apple is doing *that* badly, to say the least!)...maybe, as someone said to me on another thread 'it makes zero difference' and, once again, I am just splitting hairs? :o

When my powerbook is plugged in, after it has has time to charge, the place where the battery precentage usually is says "charged" suggesting to me that it is running solely off of wall power. So your battery is always at 99%??? It's never at charged?

[winwintoo]

When my powerbook is plugged in, after it has has time to charge, the place where the battery precentage usually is says "charged" suggesting to me that it is running solely off of wall power. So your battery is always at 99%??? It's never at charged?

So does mine. I just thought that was normal.

m

[Capt Underpants]

So does mine. I just thought that was normal.

m

I don't know how a 99% charge would be normal.... Maybe the fact that my battery monitor says "charged" is a bad thing???? That can't be right.

[gekko513]

So I guess it's not the best idea to move it from my desk to my bed while it's on?
I guess there's a difference between carrying it to another room and to throw it in a bag and let it bump around while you hurry to catch the bus.

I think the idea is that you should wait a few seconds for the hard drive to spin down before you start the bumping :)

[abhishekit]

I don't know how a 99% charge would be normal.... Maybe the fact that my battery monitor says "charged" is a bad thing???? That can't be right.

99% is normal, if you drop below 95% , it would charge the battery all the way upto 100, then drop t0 99 in a while. If you drop somewhere between 95 and 100, it wont even start charging. Its designed to avoid short charging cycles.

[Capt Underpants]

99% is normal, if you drop below 95% , it would charge the battery all the way upto 100, then drop t0 99 in a while. If you drop somewhere between 95 and 100, it wont even start charging. Its designed to avoid short charging cycles.

Ok.... I get what you're saying. Those short charging cycles would potentially make the battery go kaput, right? That's pretty smart....

BTW... that avatar ROCKS!

[sandercox]

I've had my lil' sliver of foam there since I got my iBook G4 in November! keep it up!

Well, I just found out my mom thought it was trash and she throw it away... I hope my backpack is well enough protected!

[mkrishnan]

Ok.... I get what you're saying. Those short charging cycles would potentially make the battery go kaput, right? That's pretty smart....

Yeah, true that. Perfect amount of time to unplug, drag downstairs, link directly into the AEBS and do airport admin. ;)

But its really good for moving the laptop around in general. Right now mine is at 98 cuz I guess I did something along these lines day before yesterday.