Ladies Laptop Bags, the Hunt
byIs it just me or are the only laptop bags available for women absolutely huge, or covered in silly retina-burning patterns? (I’ve found the same thing with iPhone cases as well). Last year when I was on the hunt for a new bag to suit my MacBook it took me ages to find something that was a) small b) light c) not “briefcasey”.
I ended up in the purse department of Hbc downtown with a cute little over-the-shoulder purse that perfectly fit my 13 inch MacBook. I’ve found that since then, purses have made the best options – especially since I use a neoprene sleeve for water protection/padding. The only drawback is that they’re not the most durable, especially for carrying such a consistent weight all the time.
I was recently sent a link on Delicious to a Macworld article about ladies laptop cases, “There’s no shortage of durable laptop bags—backpacks, messenger bags, briefcases, you name it—on the market. Unfortunately they’re not always, well, pretty.” They link to the Pocket Full of Puter (which is really cute however still to “briefcasey” for me) as does Kate, who highlighted a bunch of cases back in 2005:
Melissa Beth Designs is a Toronto designer who has her bags in Canadian and American boutiques. She designs laptop bags as well as iPod cases. One of my favourites is her “Pocket Full of Puter” bag (shown here). The article also showcases Acme Made who is the original designer of the Veer bag, Casuri Cases, and Case Closed – a New York bag designer. I must admit, my affections have moved from the Acme Made bag to Case Closed. [My Name is Kate]
Kate also links to her post on Squidoo, which features a plethora of ladies laptop cases, as well as this one about sleeves. She is definitely a trusted source on the matter.
My faves on that page are “The Veronica London Tote from CareerBags.com” and “The Luca Bella Laptop Bag by Gina B”.
Yesterday I picked up a Nine West shopper tote bag ($18.00 at Bellis Fair, yay America!) and although I underestimated the tapering at the top, it still fit my MacBook. I’m just not sure how long it will last.
I’m really hoping that stores around here start carrying more of these styles that can double as purses so that when I’m walking around with one of my most-prized/most-needed possessions (and main tool for work) I’m not actually advertising, “Hey, I have a computer in here!”
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I can see how finding a “feminine” bag for your notebook can be a challenge. Personally, what I want to see is more laptop bags that are conservative enough for business purposes, but with enough “personality” to be geek chic. Adding the “girly tech” part to the equation, I’d imagine, just makes things even more complicated.
Lip Gloss and Laptops reviewed a few a couple of years ago. One of the seat belt bags might also work.
Thanks for all the link love! Finding the right bag can be a very tricky proposition. Some of the most difficult ones to find bags for are the larger sizes. There are very few nice 17″ bags out there.
Your purse solution is a good one – but I hadn’t thought about them not being sturdy enough – great point for ladies to watch out for.
Additional self-promotion, if I may, I also blog about laptop bags (including ones I don’t get first hand to review) at http://www.funchico.com
Thanks! Kate
I need a smaller laptop. They only make bags for 17″ bags that either cost $300+ or they look like cheap luggage *sigh*.
Locally I’d check out Kube Computers ( http://www.kubecomputers.com ) on Cambie and 13th. They have A LOT of different bags and sleeves including the Melissa Beth ones you mentioned.
You should also check out Crumpler.ca (store on Cordova) – they have a ton of different styles and colours….definitely they have some feminine ones that can do double duty as a purse.
now if we could only find a feminine camera bag we’d be set!
I’m rather fond of the laptop bag I found at the Roxy/Quicksilver shop on Granville. It could not be more simple. 🙂
I’m very fond of the one I picked up at a sale on the Dell website a while ago. It’s just the right size and not bulky at all! It can still pass for a professional business laptop bag, but the design makes it quite stylish too! On the sale I picked it up for $50 with free shipping, and they threw in a wireless mouse too.
http://accessories.dell.com/sna/products/Carrying_Cases/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&sku=A1625623
Now if only my laptop was stylish enough to match…
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I have this bag and I LOVE it. It has a padded laptop sleeve, which is useful when I need to haul my laptop around town. I usually just use it as a day-to-day bag though…
http://www.tactics.com/dakine/ella-purse-closeout
Dakine stuff comes with a lifetime warranty as well.
[…] while back I wrote a blog post about laptop bags and the options out there for women who would like to have something comfortable, durable, and yet […]
My wife made this laptop bag for a customer recently:
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=11425002
While it’s never going to pass as high fashion, it certainly turns heads. The woman who bought it says it starts conversations everywhere she takes it and she loves it!
I just got my first laptop, a 17″ and you are right, it’s next to impossible to find a decent looking someone feminine bag that doesn’t look like a suitcase or cost more than I spend on groceris in a month. Must admit this surprised me and I didn’t consider the carry case when I made the purchase.
Choose a sleeve that fits snugly around your laptop to provide the best protection
I love how these don’t scream I have a laptop. Safe and yet cute.