# Laptop transportation question... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2011, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-transportation-question/583260 "2011-05-26T08:51:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-transportation-question/583260/1 "2011-05-26T08:51:52Z")
I may, in the near future, want to transport my Macbook Pro in a regular backpack or in a carry-on size suitcase. What is the best type of sleeve to use for this purpose? Hard or soft? My main concern is making sure it’s padded enough to not get knocked about too severely, and I obviously don’t want to depend on packing stuff around it. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-transportation-question/583260/2 "2011-05-26T13:12:30Z")
Every laptop bag I’ve used is quite soft. However, armor with padding on the inside does seem to be more effective at preventing damage, as no one seems to offer a bag as being protective. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-transportation-question/583260/3 "2011-05-26T23:58:37Z")
I’ve only seen (so far) soft and hard. Nothing combining the two. But that’s only at one store. What should I be looking for? ---
**Author:** ![Implicit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-transportation-question/583260/4 "2011-05-27T01:57:04Z")
If it’s only for a single trip, what about making yourself a bubblewrap sleeve? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-transportation-question/583260/5 "2011-05-27T02:03:12Z")
For the past few years, the TSA has required that notebook computers be placed by themselves in the bin when you go through the security checkpoint. That’s a pain, of course. So if you buy a [“checkpoint friendly” laptop bag](http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/simplifying_laptop_bag_procedures.shtm), you don’t have to remove the computer from the bag when you go through the checkpoint. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-transportation-question/583260/6 "2011-05-27T02:46:21Z")
I think you’d be happy with a sleeve from [SFBags.com](http://www.sfbags.com/products/sleevecases/sleevecases.php). They’re heavy nylon with a good hard/soft balance. Expensive but outstanding quality. ---
**Author:** ![heathen\_earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-transportation-question/583260/7 "2011-05-27T03:09:34Z")
I carry mine around in my backpack all the time with no special sleeve/padding (aside from whatever other books or clothes I have in there), and it still works.