Laptop transport (sleeve) "issue": options needed?

In My Humble Opinion
1

So, acting on some previous threads of mine, I got myself a nice laptop sleeve. The model I decided to get has a completely open end, with only one velcro-ed strap to keep the laptop in (which is sufficient). I didn’t think I needed to pay extra for a full flap.

Since then (a couple of months ago), I’ve used said sleeve, and been generally satisfied. Then I realized something: every time I take my laptop out in my backpack, and there’s inclement weather, I could be running the risk of moisture getting into said laptop through that big open end, which I wouldn’t have to worry about if I’d gotten the flap. I tried transporting it upside down, but the constant force of walking caused the laptop to slip down in the sleeve, which is bad in of itself.

This realization came after I felt uncomfortable returning it to order another. Any suggestions on what I could do to mitigate this concern? I thought of perhaps putting plastic bags (either shopping or Ziploc type) over the open end, but that seems inconvenient and courting static issues. Same inconvenience (and lint) issues may apply to using an old shirt or something.

Thanks!

2

Packing tape?

3

Hmm, I’m not sure if that’s meant to be a joke or not… If not, could you explain further? I’m not sure how I’d use it without having to rip off tape very time I want to put a laptop in or out.

4

I’d just work on my handling technique. Transport with opening up in the closed backpack, but when you take it out, keep it sideways or with the opening down, and always support it from underneath.

5

The last one I bought has a zipper closure around 2-1/2 sides. Not much water can come in when it’s closed.

It was $8 in the bargain bin at the local Office Whatever big box store. Full retail was $15. For a multi-hundred dollar laptop, my advice is to spend the 10-ish bucks to get what it takes to protect your laptop from the weather you’re stuck with.

If you’re broke or a starving student, skip one beer on two successive Fridays to pay for it. That’s a bunch cheaper than posting here in a couple months asking how to get a laptop fixed for no money.

6

Amazon has sleeves in pretty much any combination of size, price and stylishness that you could want. Buying a new, safer, sleeve will cost less than $20.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/104-3796580-2511924?field-keywords=laptop%20sleeve&url=index%3Dblended

OTOH, water damage on a laptop screen or motherboard can cost upwards of $500 to repair.

7

Why are you taking your laptop out in inclement weather? You’re not going to use it are you?

You could indeed use packing tape or duct tape. Make a flap out of tape and cover the exposed sticky side with more tape.

8

I’m not. But my backpack is hardly completely waterproof.

And I know I could get another sleeve, but it just seems like a waste to get another after I already bought a perfectly good (except for that one potential flaw) one.

9

I apologize for not elaborating, but that’s exactly what I was driving at. Take some tape and seal the open side.

You don’t have to do it every time you use the laptop - just in bad weather.

Better yet, get a better sleeve.

10

I’ve been known to use an oversize Ziploc bag when I carry my laptop in my backpack.

11

The only reason to use a laptop sleeve is to protect your laptop. If your sleeve can’t protect your laptop, because, for example, it’s got a* giant gaping hole* in one end- then it’s not a “perfectly good” laptop sleeve. YMMV, of course.

12

Yeah, I mentioned that possibility in my OP. Ever have any static issues?

Yeah, I know. And it’s mostly my fault, too, for not realizing this. But I guess I was just trying to figure out if there was a way to salvage my “investment.”