Recently I had the opportunity to help two new Mac users “get acquainted” with their new Apple portables. One, headed off to college to be a “graphic designer”, had a shiny MacBook Pro. Another, REALLY heading off on an exchange program to a far-off land, had a MacBook. As is the case with Macs, both were already going full-steam-ahead even before my tutorial session. One thing they both lacked, and they both really needed, was a laptop bag.

Laptop bags come in all shapes and sizes, from minimalist neoprene sleeves to backpacks with more nooks and crannies than Mammoth Cave. Laptops, though built to be mobile and sturdy, still need the protection of a good bag.

The most important feature to look for in a bag is an integrated, padded sleeve, fitted for your laptop size. The sleeve protects your laptop not only from the world outside your bag, but also from the stuff bouncing around inside your bag.

So, besides the sleeve, what else should be in your laptop bag, especially if you’re going to be seriously on-the-go? The power adapter, obviously. If you do a lot of flying, you might consider an Empower power adapter to use in airline seats that are so-equipped. One thing to remember about Empower – it cannot charge your laptop battery. Empower is designed only to maintain your battery’s current charge.

Many hotels offer free or $10/day high-speed internet connections. Some offer wireless. Some offer wired connections through units that have their own Ethernet cables. Still others have empty Ethernet jacks that require a cable to be checked out from the hotel front desk. Sometimes all the cables are checked out, so it’s a good idea to carry your own Ethernet cable. You don’t need more than a six-footer, and you can find Ethernet cables that come on spools that take up less space in your bag.

For that one hotel that has no high-speed internet (which you’ll undoubtedly encounter the night you need to do a lot of on-line work), you’ll need a short “antique” phone cable, also available on a spool.

I also carry a mouse. Mine is a “wired” Mighty Mouse, which I use when I need a break from the touchpad. If you’re thinking of a wireless mouse, get one with an ON/OFF switch so the mouse doesn’t wake up every time the bag moves. Happy travels!

© 2006 Peter F. Zimowski