Best protection for carrying around my MBP

[G0meZ]

i'm looking for a backpack or messenger bag that really protects my 15" macbookpro from bumps - i am spectacular when it comes to dropping stuff

so, doing several hours of research, i came up with these two candidates:

http://www.sfbags.com/products/hardcase/hardcase.php

nice but very expensive and the lid isn't closing tight enough for my taste, besides, it's a messenger bag, lugging this around for hours will take its toll on my back.

then there's this one:
http://www.brenthaven.com/macbook-cases/prostyle-slimpack-blkwht

seems cool, but not a hardcase and I do wonder if that padding is good enough for clumsy me...

mind you, there's tanks like pelicangear but they seem a bit over the top, heavy and more geared towards the battlefield than the city.

....so...feedback is greatly appreciated...
experience with those two?
other suggestions?

thanks.

 

[Gav2k]

Speck cover and an incase sleeve would be a good start. Then just get a bag with a laptop partition inside it.

 

[G0meZ]

Speck cover and an incase sleeve would be a good start. Then just get a bag with a laptop partition inside it.

yeah had an incase once. they protect against scratches, is all.
hitting the ground is what i need protection for...something to cushion the blow

 

[jondunford]

i find the fact that it's made of metal is protection enough

my macbook air has been treated awfully (dropped onto concrete, items dropped onto the computer, it's been stood on, liquid spills, used in the kitchen) and the only signs of this are a couple of cosmetic dents on the shell

no need to treat it like a plastic windows computer

 

[G0meZ]

i find the fact that it's made of metal is protection enough

my macbook air has been treated awfully (dropped onto concrete, items dropped onto the computer, it's been stood on, liquid spills, used in the kitchen) and the only signs of this are a couple of cosmetic dents on the shell

no need to treat it like a plastic windows computer

well I'd respond that you've been lucky and lucky.
dropped a pre-unibody once on the pavement, inside a well padded old school laptop bag and the case literally folded near the dvi port, all the way through.
it still worked, all good, but resale value drops badly...

 

[Moonjumper]

I got a MBP padded sleeve that turned out to be a bit too big. So I put the MBP in a cheap neoprene sleeve, then that inside the larger sleeve. I can fit that in whatever bag I want, with the advantage being that thieves cannot target it as an obviously laptop bag.

 

[JAT]

yeah had an incase once. they protect against scratches, is all.
hitting the ground is what i need protection for...something to cushion the blow

Aren't your 2 links above the same? Anyway, check out Tom Bihn. They have an insert bag (Brain Cell) with hard sides and a shock absorber on the bottom. It can be used by itself as a small bag, or it locks inside many of their larger bags. (or fits into any large bag)

 

[wgnoyes]

I'd suggest an incase or speck 2-piece clamshell case (body and lid) and any decent padded laptop bag.

 

[G0meZ]

Aren't your 2 links above the same? Anyway, check out Tom Bihn. They have an insert bag (Brain Cell) with hard sides and a shock absorber on the bottom. It can be used by itself as a small bag, or it locks inside many of their larger bags. (or fits into any large bag)

the brain cell looks nice but seems half-baked to me. the top side is unpadded, why leave one of four sides unprotected?...murphy's law makes sure that if I drop my notebook it'll land on this side.

----------

Aren't your 2 links above the same?

indeed. sry, fixed it in the op:
http://www.brenthaven.com/macbook-cases/prostyle-slimpack-blkwht

 

[carjakester]

i put mine in a case logic sleeve, most people do that. if you also have a laptop bag it will be plenty protected.

 

[JAT]

the brain cell looks nice but seems half-baked to me. the top side is unpadded, why leave one of four sides unprotected?...murphy's law makes sure that if I drop my notebook it'll land on this side.

Mine's 10 years old or more and looks a bit different, but the top closes and the flaps are padded like any padded case. No, not as good as the spring effect of the bottom of the bag (and I see it now includes memory foam), but as good as most bags have on all 6 sides.

 

[glenthompson]

I use a Brenthaven backpack which has a laptop compartment that is very well padded. Offers great protection. I also take care with how I carry it and set it down.

 

[phoenixsan]

For the portables.....

I am owned or used, I always gone with good internal padding or/and hardcases.....Too many good brands to make a recommendation.....But Brenthaven, CaseLogic and booq bags have nice offers....

 

[rick3000]

I second the Tom Bihn, the sleeve is a tank. And the top flaps that velcro shut are padded. It's expensive at $60, but if you want something that you don't have to worry about it's the one to get, in my opinion.

 

[esskay]

Also, if you're prone to dropping things, it would probably be wise to invest in an SSD for your MBP if it doesn't already have one.

 

[G0meZ]

Also, if you're prone to dropping things, it would probably be wise to invest in an SSD for your MBP if it doesn't already have one.

couldn't agree with you more... love the new rmpb, no moving parts left in these machines...beautiful

 

[CombatCaptured]

Pelican do make a line of Not so Crazy (and cheaper) backpacks

U105 urban

 

[G0meZ]

Pelican do make a line of Not so Crazy (and cheaper) backpacks

U105 urban

thanks for tip mate.
but those are a little too crazy for my taste...i'm not heading for afrika or something...besides, I think they scream 'mug me, I got expensive hi-tech on my back'