Macbook Pro and Travel

Hey guys,

When you are travelling by plane, how do you normally carry your mbp? I mean if you are placing it in a shoulder bag or something, do you place other items that you might be carrying along, in the same bag? What do you normally do for that extra degree protection your laptop needs? I was wondering whether its safe to place it in a rolling carry on luggage?

 

I have a backpack I put mine in, usually with my camera, chargers, various cables, etc. NEver had any problems; last time I flew they didn't even need me to remove from the backpack, which I've had to do before. As long as it doesn't move around too much and isn't being pressed on the top cover by anything else, then it'll be fine.

 

I carry my 17 inch MacBook Pro daily to and from work in the custom SwissGear backpack for the MBP 17 inch. For air travel I bought a cheap Windows notebook a few years ago - if it gets lost or stolen - no big loss. I clean the computer before leaving, download my work stuff when I get there and then scrub the computer before returning via air. I don't want personal or work stuff getting out if the system is lost or stolen. That said, I do pack my travel system in my SwissGear backpack with other stuff gear. I don't put clothes and things in the backpack.

 

I carry it in my back-pack if I'm checking luggage. You'll have to take it out separately to go through security so you want it easily accessible.

If I only do carry-on luggage, I keep it in a shell case so it doesn't get banged up in my bag.

 

I put mine in my case in my backpack, take out the case and possibly have to take it out of the case (depending on airport). I have this noted in my review in my sig.

 

Cheers guys. Thank you for all your replies.I was really worried about how I should go about carrying my mbp in a carry on bag. Now all my doubts are cleared

 

In the US on most airlines... you are allowed 1 carry on and 1 personal item. For women this is tougher since a purse counts as a personal item, but you can use a laptop bag as a personal item (unless its gigantic).

I usually put all the things I need in my smaller laptop bag along with my laptop and use it as a personal item, then i also have a carry on... the carry on goes in an overhead bin, and my laptop with personal items all go under the seat in the front of me.

 

Im from the UK and I think we pretty much have to throw every personal carry on item into one hand luggage which actually kinda sucks

 

I have a neoprene sleeve that I put my MBP in, which goes in my backpack. Works very well.

 

Been to London, Greece and several trips domestically with my MBPro between 2009-10 (I'm in N. California/SF BayArea) and have been using bags from an Australian Co. called STM. Actually I've been using their bags for several years and I swear by 'em.- had broken zipper a few years ago and the backpack was promptly replaced sight unseen.

I just got this vertical model for intown jobs-

But still use this backpack for airtravel-


Laptop Bags > STM Bags

I also have a couple Timbuk2 bags. One of which has the new TSA safe slot so I don't have to remove the PC-




but mostly use the STM bags still.

Hope this helps!

p.s. Their iPad cases/bags are great too
p.p.s. I'm a freelance personal technology consultant and don't work for either of these companies... incase you were wondering, lol

 

Wow thanks for the post with pictures. . Mine is a 17inch mbp and do you think it will fit these types of bags?

 

You're welcome! Happy to help

Yes they will. These bags come in sizes and STM's large size bags are for 17in MacbookPro's (STM sizes theirs bags for Macs and the medium fits my 15in perfectly). I believe so are the bags from Timbuk2, but your best bet is to check out their web sites. They both have great measurement/fit instructions for various devices and laptop sizes.

Cheers!

 

Cheers mate. appreciate the reply.