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if your not used to carrying a backpack then leaving the whole backpad behind is a bigger risk then damaging it. its so easy to get up and leave without even thinking of it.

The biggest problem i have seen with mac airs and other laptops with heavy books is the keys leaving marks on the screen from the weight.
 
We do however get enough notes to essentially have textbooks. Or maybe that's just my course.

Here's just some of the printed notes I've gotten from lecturers for the first semester. The rest is on blackboard or hand written.

I also have some books that are "recommended" reading.

A lot of my lecture notes are on Blackboard as well but I don't always print them. I keep printed ones in my locker and I never bring the books in. I always read them at home or in the library.
 
Carbon-fibre case with ballistic padding. JK, just put it in any laptop bag or backpack and should be fine, just keep the cords in a separate compartment so it doesn't scratches the aluminium finish or crack your screen the worst.
 
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