# What do you always carry in your laptop bag **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884 "2016-09-25T21:30:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/1 "2016-09-25T21:30:17Z")
Aside from laptop and power supply. I once had the wifi on my PC break (it started working again later for some reason) so ever since I always carry a USB wifi adapter. I also keep a USB data stick and headphones. Also a mouse. Everything I carry I carry because I realized I needed it once or twice and didn’t have it. So data stick, wifi adapter, mouse, headphones. Why yes, yes I am boring. ---
**Author:** ![feppytweed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/feppytweed/32/4280_2.png) [@feppytweed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/feppytweed)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/2 "2016-09-25T21:43:02Z")
Headphones, iPhone charger, several pens, notepad. Business cards. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/3 "2016-09-25T21:46:49Z")
I forgot, USB to micro-USB cable. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/4 "2016-09-25T22:01:51Z")
Does my tablet count? I never carry it unless on trips well away from home. I keep it in one of those red MediChoice socks that they give patients to walk around on slippery floors in hospitals, which is perfect. It has rubberized non-skid clogs on its, its made of anti-static fabric, and it’s bright red, easy to find. The only thing I keep in the sock with my tablet is a USB and a wall charger appropriate for whatever country I’m in. Extra USB and chargers for other countries in my luggage. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/5 "2016-09-25T22:09:43Z")
An outlet splitter, it’s the bomb for traveling. Lots of rooms don’t have lots of outlets and if you both have devices or more than one, it’s a real life saver. I also always carry a two meter cord. So you don’t have to sit on top of the outlet if you’re out of juice. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/6 "2016-09-25T22:15:58Z")
Advil. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/7 "2016-09-26T00:00:30Z")
My laptop is used mainly for programming fire alarm systems. For this I need my programming hasp key and a USB to Serial adapter. I have four different DB9 plugs that work for most of my systems and a couple of telephone cables to connect to the various panels. I also have a few flash drives, a mouse and a few hand tools. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/8 "2016-09-26T00:39:18Z")
For workday at my office: spare AC adapter, HDMI adapter, and micro-USB cable (so I can charge my phone off the laptop during meetings). For business travel, I usually carry the work laptop, work phone, and personal Android tablet. My travel accessory kit includes: noise canceling earphones (Bose QuietComfort 20i), USB AC adapter (for charging my phone, tablet, earphones, etc), USB battery, [MOGICS Donut](https://www.mogics.com/?page_id=3824) (small power strip w/ international adapter and USB power), travel wifi router (in case hotel has wired ethernet but no or slow wifi - just replaced my old HooToo router with a new [GLI](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AL7P1FU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) model), retractable ethernet cable, and a small mouse. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/9 "2016-09-26T01:12:57Z")
Computer, AC adapter, CD drive, headphones, USB cord (white, to easily differentiate it from the other cords), surge suppressor, thumb drive, and headphone splitter. 8 items. And before moving my backpack, I always check to make sure all of this is with me. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/10 "2016-09-26T04:46:17Z")
A couple of memory sticks, spare pencils, a small packet of tissues. And an eyeglasses repair kit which I started carrying when my glasses fell apart in the middle of Alaska. I got the last repair in the little store the train stopped at, and I suspect there wasn’t another for a bunch of miles. Plus my business cards when I was working. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/11 "2016-09-26T05:12:56Z")
The laptop usually sits in the docking station and only goes in the bag, with spare charger, when I need to take it with me. Otherwise, what’s always in the bag is: Phones Pens couple of USB sticks couple of muesli bars and salami sticks Multi tool wallet neurofen Portable charger note pad ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/12 "2016-09-26T06:13:00Z")
Same as above mostly plus one clean under short/under ware. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/13 "2016-09-26T15:46:32Z")
A decent pen, I hate those found in most hotel rooms USB headphones for the laptop soft phone Wall outlet/USB phone charger Network cable with RJ-45 connectors. Something of a relic, but it’s still there. Various paperwork ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/14 "2016-09-26T15:56:56Z")
A cup. Head office only has paper cups for coffee; I am in a regional office but I visit HO often enough to need a proper cup. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/15 "2016-09-26T17:09:17Z")
I’m a proposal manger, and my work location changes every 30-60 days (as I go from proposal to proposal). Usually the change is just to a different war room at HQ, but sometimes I go to a different office – or even a different state. I have a “rolling office” that contains: [ul] [li]USB keyboard[/li][li]USB mouse[/li][li]two monitor adapters (both VGA and DVI)[/li][li]ethernet adapter (just in case)[/li][li]power cord[/li][li]USB hub/replicator[/li][li]two pencil cases with various highlighters/Sharpies/labels/Post-Its[/li][li]a couple of thumb drives[/li][li]portable charger[/li][li]USB-powered fan[/li][/ul] When I had a laptop, that would go in the rolling office, too. These days I have a Microsoft Surface, which I tend to just carry in my tote bag. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/16 "2016-09-26T17:51:32Z")
My passport and outlet adapters ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-always-carry-in-your-laptop-bag/766884/17 "2016-09-27T05:21:08Z")
My work-issued laptop spends most of its time in a docking station. I have a laptop for several reasons: meetings, troubleshooting in the lab, and most of all, for executing validation protocols. I carry my extra power adapter, cordless mouse, a few pens, my legal pad, ethernet cable, earbuds, power cord (for benchtop PCs that arrive without one), video adapter (some of our PCs have a weird digital video port that doesn’t work with the usual DVI output, so I need to use the old VGA cable, which works with the adapter). Sometimes a USB cable, sometimes papers, sometimes other odds & ends.