Carrying a Laptop with a 15,4 screen

Hi Boys and Girls,
For work purposes I've had to buy a laptop and for my purposes I bought one with a wide screen. However it does not fit into the BNW crap panniers. (I don't think a normal one would either. Any ideas on a fairly safe way of carrying the PC on the back would be appreciated. This morning I stuffed it in a rucsac and strapped it on the pillion place. With the saddle removed. This was good but I am concerned about
1 Waterproofing
2 Shock proofing

It does not need to be theft proof as there is no way I'll leave it on the bike whilst I am not riding it.

Cheers,

PS BNW panniers are a complete load of bollox and I want some Vern specials. Just need to save up the cash first.

back pack

I don't like riding with stuff in a back pack, seen friends with tools, chain locks etc. much safer to have stuff in panniers incase of a fall. However an expensive, vibration sensetive piece of electronic kit that you wouldn't even want to leave on the bike when filling up???
Got to be a back pack. Why not buy a computer carrying case then adapt that to go on your back.
In the event of a fall presuming you have some back protection a flat plastic slab isn't going to make things worse.

2pence

Therer are quite a few rucksacks specifically designed for Laptops...PC world *spits* always seem to have a selection in.

If not, try Pelican cases...they always seem to come out with the best reviews and a lot of the guys on ADdvrider who use laptops or photographic equipment seem to have them.

Pelican Shipping cases

Pelican home page

HTH

And I hope you're one of the tiny minority who actually bothers to do a proper backup?

I used to carry a big ThinkPad to work every day. When in its case it would fit diagonally in the BMW giant topbox - the one for the LT or RT - but only just. I didn't worry too much about shock protection - figured the bike's suspension and the padding in the case would be sufficient. Never had a problem. But then Thinkpads are relatively robust.

If you want a monster topbox have a look at the Touratech Top Case in XL size. Beautifully made, light and a very square shape which I reckon would accept just about any laptop on the market. And one or two microwaves as well.

Top Box is the Way.

Managed to fit my Dell 15" unit in a Back pack into my old Givi42 litres top box with ease, now got a 52 litre Givi topbox, no problem what so ever, can even fit my safety shoes and lab coat in as well.

I would suggest the top box each time, safe secure and you won't get hurt (From the computer) if you have a Off.

Gary.

I carry my laptop/files/power supply etc every other day in carry case ruck sack. Made Targus i believe, cost £20pds or so.

1) Top box is what I carry my 15" Dell laptop in, just using my normal computer briefcase.

2) Pelican cases are the dogs bollox.

3) Targus do some specialised computer carrying rucksacks.

Mike

I used to take my IBM A Series thinkpad to work everyday (that had a 15" screen) on the back of my Firestorm in all weathers.

I bought one of these laptop bags

www.luggageonline.com/product.cfm?productID=117&catID=19&brandID=0&tab=3

for about 200 quid in Reading, UK

from a company called TravelPro and it was excellent. Completely by coincidence it fitted exactly into an 'Oxford Sports Lifetime Luggage' Tailpack and was just the ticket.

It used to wiggle about about speeds well over what the GS is capable of, but never let me down in over a year.

Not the most convenient option i grant you, probably a topbox is better, but maybe it helps.

David

Rabbitson... I know this sounds obvious but are you sure it doesn't fit the panniers....

The reason I ask is that I bought a large 15" laptop & thought the same as you... but I found it does acually fit the right hand pannier albeit at a funny angle. Then I cut some foam to measure around it & that kept it quite snug... then I stopped carrying the laptop & haven't done since.

Think the top box sounds better though.

I'll have a go with the right hand side pannier as I did only try the left. Driving on the wrong side of the road over here so the left was the obvious choice for riding past a loadof stationary vehicules.

Agree try the right pannier

I have a Dell Inspiron with a 15" screen. I bought a Lowe Alpine computer case into which I can just squeeze the laptop. This gives it a protected surround. This will fit at a reaasonable angle in the right hand pannier with standard lid and at a steeper angle with City lids on. The advantage of the City lid is that it keeps the laptop more upright and thus, I suspect, more secure. It's a slight squeeze to get the position right. The cables will go in separately in a soft bag or plastic bag. I can slot my soft briefcase either in the topbox or the other pannier (even with the city lids on) but note that I have the large left pannier, having lowered the exhaust with a Staintune bracket.

Thus on a busy day I can take laptop, briefcase and other files, folders etc. all together split between the two panniers and the top box. I have the B*W top box and wish I'd bought Hepco & Becker. I used to have a GIVI but some knacker opened with a screwdriver (slide it up the side of the lock/plate and force it open) takes about 2 seconds. Two helmets gone. When I went in to buy the parts to fix it, the guy said it happens all the time. So beware what you leave in it.

I bought a Kriega 25 backpack, having read that they are the mutts nuts in BIKE magazine, but I am still struggling to get it to adjust tightly enough around the shoulders. The laptop will slot in easily enough and it is well made. I've only used it once!

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Psyko

boundless backs boblbe.e

I've had posession of one of these boblbe.e clamdigger things since they first came out about 4 years ago. Having bounced my lapdancer off the insides of in a extended fashion whilst humping it up mountains (digital photo ski-ing) and through jungles (just humping), I've sustained no deformation to either me or my lapdancer.



Traumatically speaking the odds with any thoracic mounted carrier device are probably pretty "bad" for shoulder and brachial plexus injury but "good" for spinal cord injury protection. You takes your chances. Good for lapdancers though. I'll vouch.