Laptops are becoming more and more popular these days, and are now often the only type of computer used in the home. This is because at the same time they are becoming more and more affordable, their computing power is growing to the point where they are as powerful as desktop computers of just a few years ago. Laptops aren’t yet powerful enough to be a good choice if you often do power-hungry tasks like video editing. But for web browsing, word processing, and most other common computing jobs, they’re fine, as long as you don’t mind the small screen size. Or, if you don’t mind a VERY small screen and primarily use your computer for email and surfing the Internet, you can save a lot of money and travel light by buying a Netbook computer for as little as $250 or even less. Many don’t like to use what a laptop has in place of a mouse, but you can add a mouse for minimal cost.
If you decide to buy a laptop and you’re going to be carrying it with you instead of keeping it on a desk as a replacement for your old desktop, it’s important that you buy good protection for it. It’s a good idea to buy a hard case and laptop sleeve, which can be thought of as a form-fitting envelope for your laptop, made of plastic, neoprene, vinyl, or more exotic materials like leather. Just a case for your laptop isn’t enough because with a case, a laptop, especially a powerful desktop replacement model, is often heavier and less portable than you’d like. A case offers enough protection for most situations, without the bulk and weight of a case.
The price of good quality laptop sleeves ranges from fifteen to fifty dollars. A good case should be padded for extra protection in case you drop it. This may happen more often than you think; for example, students often forget they have their computer in a backpack and then drop the backpack on the floor. You should also consider whether you want the case to include a handle or a shoulder strap. There is a wide selection of sleeves available online, so compare prices and styles by doing searches on Internet search engines like Google. Use multiple search terms, such as “laptop sleeve” and “laptop sleeve,” to get the best results. Find the size and style that suits your needs first, and once you’ve narrowed down your options, compare prices. Remember that the size specification, such as 17 inches, refers to the diagonal measurement of your laptop screen. If you’re not sure of the size, look for sleeves designed specifically for your laptop model.
A neoprene laptop sleeve is a good choice because in addition to protection, it is particularly light and has a slim look like a wetsuit. Neoprene is also known as polychloroprene and is a type of synthetic rubber invented by Dupont about 70 years ago. Belkin is one of the best brands for neoprene sleeves in a variety of sizes and colors, though if you have a Macbook Pro, the fit may not be as tight as you’d like. Microsoft also makes a good neoprene sleeve.
A good website to find laptop sleeves of all types is eBags. Their collection of sleeves includes Designer Sleeves’ 17-inch Executive Laptop model, with a handle and strap and available in a variety of colors and patterns, for around $48. A much thinner neoprene model they have is the Mobile Edge 17-inch SlipSuit, also available in multiple colors, for around $23.
For many laptop users, the appearance of the sleeve is at least as important as its function. For fashion lovers, there is a great list of 50 unique and stylish sleeves on Hongkiat. For example, there’s the “My Documents” laptop sleeve, which looks like the “My Documents” icon on a PC. Or try the Italian leather cover that looks like one of those manila envelopes used to send mail from one department to another in a company. Another looks like the front of a white shirt worn for the office, complete with tie and chest pocket. Other designs are simpler. Of course, most of these nice covers are quite a bit more expensive than the simple and utilitarian ones.
If you’re a bargain hunter like me, consider buying a used laptop sleeve on eBay. If a seller has a lot of positive feedback and will accept returns, buying on eBay is safe and the selection is wide. Be sure to check the shipping cost (many eBay sellers make money by overcharging for shipping) and the delivery time. Also make sure the picture is of the actual item rather than a stock photo, and read the sleeves condition description carefully. Signing up to be a member of eBay is reasonably easy and free. Most of the time, sellers will only accept PayPal payments, but signing up for PayPal is much easier than it used to be. Another place to get used holsters is Craigslist, but the selection is much, much more limited.