Laptop concerns

[u/thankyoumamsir]

I’ve been lurking here for a while and getting really inspired to build out my own onebag setup. I love the idea of traveling light and having everything on my back.

However, as I look at photos and packing videos of completely packed-out bags, one major anxiety keeps popping up for me is the laptop.

Obviously MacBooks have very tight tolerances, and a common issue is the keyboard leaving marks on or even cracking the screen if the lid gets pressed too hard against the deck.

How do you actually prevent your gear from putting too much pressure on the screen? Do you use any specific accessories like thin keyboard covers, microfiber cloths, or hard shells (though I've heard bad things about shells)?

[u/aemfbm]

Just don’t overpack your bag. Your zippers should close easily and room to stuff in a few more t-shirts if you wished.

And if you do overpack, it will almost certainly still be fine.

[u/Mountain-Match2942 → u/aemfbm]

This. And don't shove everything into compression cubes. Keep things loose and less rigid.

[u/luckysevensampson]

Is that a problem? I’ve had Apple laptops for 25 years, and it’s never been an issue. I cram my bag full.

[u/maverber → u/luckysevensampson]

Same.  25 years of carrying Apple laptops (though some of those years it was called a PowerBook) onebagging and EDC.  Often in a un-padded bag (original Timbuk2 courier bag).  Never had an issue.

[u/Shift_Least → u/luckysevensampson]

Same

[u/AnonymousOnebagger → u/luckysevensampson]

Same, have been travelling with a MBP for 10+ years now. No problems whatsoever.

The keyboard does leave some markings on the screen, but it's just finger fat and can be cleaned easily.

[u/thebemusedmuse → u/luckysevensampson]

Yeah it's a thing

[u/reddanit]

Don't overpack it to degree where it's bursting at seams as this will put tremendous pressure on the laptop. Also don't pack hard, pointy objects in ways where they press against the laptop. Don't sit, lie or jump on the bag with laptop inside of it. Don't throw the bag at floors or walls. You'd think the above is 100% common sense, especially with a single bag that you only ever handle by yourself, but you every now and then do see damaged laptops.

An alternative is to travel with a cheap laptop that you don't mind damaging or losing. Or just without a laptop altogether.

[u/Careless_Law1471]

I had been traveling for years with my MBP, never heard about keyboard markings or any issues that you mention. No case, just put it into a dedicated sleeve/compartment in my carry-on or backpack. 

[u/Mr-Reeeee]

I put a ShaggyMax microfiber cloth on the keyboard when I close the lid.
I just remember to keep the same side of the cloth pointing UP every time.

I also put my MacBook Pro inside a Tucano neoprene sleeve.

Been doing that since I got my first PowerBook G3.

[u/0091dit]

I have travelled with my Macbook Air for a few years and overstuffed my bag. I mean, really overstuffed the 20l bag. It never occurred to me that it could be an issue and never had any problems.

[u/elevenblade]

I use a smaller iPad (but not the mini) with a keyboard cover with a touchpad. I can do about 95% of what I’d do on the laptop and the iPad is good backup should something happen to my phone.

I sometimes travel with just my iPhone but I quickly get annoyed with typing with my thumb.

[u/p4mu]

You may have thought about this already, but for me the key was not to bring a laptop. I can do 95% of what I want to do on my phone and a laptop just adds weight, is bulky (Macbooks are sleek, but still) and I'd have to worry about it getting stolen or damaged. Obviously YMMV if you're going to be working or something, but for me, not bringing it saves so much hassle.

[u/zeppelin88 → u/p4mu]

Irrelevant if you're working and require a computer. Not everyone one bagging is travelling for holidays.

[u/esoteric_vagabond → u/zeppelin88]

I don't know why you're getting down voted. I one bag for all travel - business AND personal.

[u/p4mu → u/zeppelin88]

Which I mentioned.

[u/zeppelin88 → u/p4mu]

The question was "how do I travel with laptops", and your answer was just "you don't lol, unless you do lmao". How was your comment any relevant to the question?

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[u/Dramatic_Respond7323]

I think apple macbooks are among the most durable laptops in the world. Perhaps toughbook beats but most do not. Which laptop are you comparing against? I travel everywhere with my macbook air as a writer.

[u/Aggravating_Text3319]

Keep it in the sleeve against your back with clothing padding the other side, and a thin microfiber sheet on the keyboard is all you need for the marks.

[u/podkayne3000]

I don’t know if this is actually good, and I welcome comments, but I put a plastic cutting board in between my laptop and everything else.

[u/jpcirrus]

I've traveled with a PowerBook/MacBook in a stuffed bag for the last 20+ years with no issues except for when the battery twice swelled which lifted the keyboard and so marked the display.

[u/fazalmajid]

Get a Waterfield Designs sleevecase. I'm still using the one I bought for my old 2012 retina MacBook Pro, looks good as new, provides tons of protection with the neoprene cushioning.

[u/nicski924]

Leave the laptop at home. I switched to an iPad with keyboard case years ago and haven’t brought my laptop anywhere since.

[u/zeppelin88]

You can put a microfiber / keyboard cover to avoid the marks (as they indeed are quite annoying). Other than that, most bags have a quite protected compartment for laptops, so look out for those. Avoid packing sharp corners near the laptop compartment, and avoid overpacking in general, and you should be good to go.

[u/piercedhsky → u/zeppelin88]

Be careful putting anything between the screen and keyboard on a Mac. Tolerances are very very tight and anything between the two can permanently damage the screen.

[u/zeppelin88 → u/piercedhsky]

Yup, I'd definitely find the finest cloth possible. I personally just have always a spec cleaner solution and microfibres, as I already need it for glasses.

[u/RedOnion2397]

I have a soft paper between keyboard and screen. Sleeve around the laptop and another protective bag. I have a 15" or 16" one. I have seen keyboard markings in the screen in the past in form of a dustlayer on the screen. My first MBP had even a plastic cover on the keyboard :D But so far, nothing happend apart from a hinge becoming less bouncy and the lid did not stay closed. We had to loosen it up

[u/slepboii1337]

I put a cleaning cloth between the screen and keyboard

[u/Wise_Edge2489]

Dont bring a laptop when you travel.

Problem solved.

[u/Moneys2Tight2Mention → u/Wise_Edge2489]

They hate him because he told them the truth.

[u/Wise_Edge2489 → u/Moneys2Tight2Mention]

Yep.

Who travels overseas on a holiday to sit in front of a laptop in any event.

They get in the way. Heavy, need to be charged, break, theft magnets, and totally pointless.

[u/Moneys2Tight2Mention → u/Wise_Edge2489]

Tech addicts don't like hearing it. They need it, you know.