What’s the fuss between using a laptop bag or backpack? Choosing the right bag is key. While convenient, you do not want to risk placing your laptop in a flimsy backpack; you risk damaging it via accidental bumps. Such neglect could mean inefficiencies later on, be it at the cost of a faulty device or tech servicing.

Whether you’re going with a classic laptop bag or a professional-looking backpack, you want to ensure it’ll be durable enough to handle knocks and impacts without breaking down or causing damage to your laptop.

If you are a remote professional who’s often on the move, it’s essential to select the most reliable tools that can be useful in all sorts of scenarios. This applies not just to your tech but also to your bag(s). Let’s explore the comparisons so you can find the right fit for you.

Should You Use a Backpack or Laptop Bag?

The choice between a backpack or a laptop bag comes down to your daily activities and lifestyle. Someone who packs and commutes light might prefer a laptop bag, but it’s nowhere as travel- and storage-friendly as a backpack. Ideally, you have both types of bags, which will give you flexibility. 

Functionally, choosing ONE bag comes down to understanding the differences between both types of bags, and looking for a set of features that suit your lifestyle.

While a laptop bag ensures specialized protection and a professional look, a versatile backpack can offer flexibility in travel, ergonomics, and convenience. Choosing a backpack with integrated protection and a professional aesthetic combines the benefits of both.

Laptop bag for purpose-built storage

For those of you who tend to toss your laptop into your everyday backpack (without extra protection), you may be better off getting a proper laptop bag.

A laptop bag is a padded bag specifically built to store and protect your laptop – it’s only slightly larger than your laptop and often comes with storage space for accessories like cables and documents. Besides protection, a laptop bag offers organization, portability, and even a professional aesthetic.

Clearly, a laptop bag differs from any everyday, regular bag through its level of protection — its dedicated compartments and protective padding. A regular bag lacks these features; it prioritizes general utility over any specialized design that supports laptop safeguarding.

If you’re someone who values the convenience of working on-the-go and working from anywhere, not using a dedicated laptop bag is simply not worth the risk. Consider the potential bumps, knocks, falls, and spills that your bag could experience on the road. This factor alone should convince you to use a dedicated bag purpose-built to store electronic devices like laptops.

There are different types of laptop bags:

• Some come with only handles and no strap – the classic professional laptop bag. 
• Others have one shoulder strap and can be used as a messenger bag, allowing you to sling the bag across your chest or shoulder. 
• Others are two-strap bags that can be worn like backpacks.

Backpack for versatility and practicality

We compared two options above: a laptop bag and a regular backpack. Yet, a better alternative is to gain the best of both worlds, reaping the combined benefits of a laptop bag’s protective features and a backpack’s versatility and practicality. 

This leads you to the laptop backpack, which is a dedicated backpack that is purpose-built for storing electronic devices like your laptop:

• While a laptop bag is tailored for safeguarding laptops against impacts from minor scratches/knocks to more serious drops, it is not a must-have if you instead use a backpack with specialized padded compartments that offer a similar level of protection for your laptop.

• While a laptop bag is convenient for short commutes, a backpack with two straps is more comfortable and ergonomic – a better daily commute companion. It offers more storage space. For travel with electronics, a backpack with multiple compartments will do better than a laptop bag.

Thus it’s worthwhile to take time and find the best-fit backpack to suit your needs. 

A principle we harp upon is that any tool you use daily should be of the highest quality (as far as you can afford them). This includes your backpack. Find a backpack with multiple uses, suiting all your needs from protection and security to other easily overlooked needs like ergonomics, professionalism, and ease of travel.

Backpack vs Laptop Bag: 6 Factors Compared

Now we’ll compare six different factors and provide a verdict for each.

Protection

As aforementioned, a laptop bag comes with built-in padding and reinforced sections to provide extra protection for fragile electronic devices. In contrast, a conventional bag lacks such protective features needed to safeguard laptops and delicate tech equipment.

If you are using a regular backpack, storing your laptop in a padded sleeve can protect your laptop from minor bumps. Yet it is unideal as it will not sufficiently safeguard your laptop against larger impacts such as drops. For this reason, it is better to invest in a dedicated laptop backpack.

Verdict: Choose either a laptop bag or a dedicated laptop backpack. For the latter, you need to pack it the right way to avoid accidents and damage to your laptop while on the road.

This article was originally published on unboundist.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.

Professionalism

Handheld laptop bags feature a more modern and professional appearance, with variations ranging from sleek and minimalistic to more elaborate designs. You can’t go wrong with them. But what about backpacks?

A professional-looking backpack has an appropriate aesthetic that fits in with workplace and business settings. Typically, it should consist of a classic or minimalist design with a structured appearance and neutral colors – such aesthetics make a laptop backpack stylish and ‘acceptable’ in diverse work environments.

Modern designs have made backpacks increasingly suitable in business and professional settings. Just do an online search for a business laptop backpack and see what comes up. Steer clear of casual or sporty-looking backpacks that do not ‘fit in’.

Verdict: Choose a handheld laptop bag or laptop backpack with a professional aesthetic — modern business backpacks are very common.

Ergonomics

You should care about ergonomics on the road when you regularly commute. Laptop bags with a handle and/or a single strap may work fine for shorter distances. But for longer commutes, you want to distribute the weight across your shoulders and back. 

Laptop bags with two straps will do great, but otherwise, go with backpacks as they are designed to spread the weight.

Still, ensure your backpack isn’t unevenly packed. Do not go overboard with the weight of your backpack (don’t underestimate the combined weight of your tech devices!). Otherwise you risk shoulder, neck, and back pain. 

Make use of both straps of your backpack, instead of carrying a backpack or messenger bag over one shoulder and leaning to one side for balance.

Verdict: Laptop backpacks are better for extended use – for longer commutes or travel. 

Travel Friendliness

Regarding travel friendliness, backpacks are the clear winner. Smaller laptop bags are purpose-built for your laptop only and lack storage space for other travel essentials. 

During a flight, it is preferable to place your laptop in your personal item bag for easy access. You can stow it under the seat in front of you, allowing you to retrieve it anytime during the flight without reaching into the overhead storage compartment for your carry-on bag.

If your personal item is just a small laptop bag and you can fit everything else in your carry-on, that’s perfectly fine. However, unless you’re a light packer (a skill most beginner travelers lack), using a small laptop bag as your personal item may not be the most practical option in terms of storage space.

In this case, a laptop backpack is the best option – one that’s small enough to go under the seat in front of you on the plane.

Verdict: Backpacks are more travel-friendly due to their ergonomic design, versatility, and hands-free functionality. On a flight, backpacks fit comfortably as carry-on items or personal items.

Security

Security becomes a more significant concern if you’re someone who tends to leave your backpack unattended to, or if you frequent crowded areas or cities with higher crime rates where theft is more prevalent. Understand and research where you’re going. 

In my opinion, if you’re a naturally cautious and aware person, this is not something you need to worry much about.

Related: 10 Tips to Protect Your Laptop from Damage or Theft During Travel

Verdict: Anti-theft backpacks are your best options, built with features like lockable zippers, hidden pockets, and cut-resistant material.

Convenience

While laptop bags are simple and lightweight, they often require you to carry them by hand or over your shoulder.

Backpacks offer a hands-free, convenient way to carry your laptop and other essentials. With multiple compartments, they provide easy access to your belongings. 

Verdict: Backpacks are the clear winner.

Conclusion

In most situations, a dedicated laptop backpack is your best companion – it’s the best overall choice for protecting your laptop while supporting you in ergonomic and versatile ways. They look professional and come with plenty of dedicated compartments and storage capacity. A high-quality dedicated backpack that can hold all your tech and office essentials within dedicated compartments is really all you need. Get one that is travel-friendly so you can flexibly use the same bag at home and overseas.

A handheld laptop bag is nonetheless a good alternative to have, especially for short commutes and professional settings.