Close to off topic, technically hardware... IT Bag!

[Planehazza]

What bag do you IT peeps use? Got an Amazon voucher and fancy getting myself a smart work bag that is good for the usual IT stuff we lug about, such as laptop, tools, notepads, console cables etc.

 

Sorry, not really a 'hardware' thread, might be fun if you're bored

[Olliedawg]

I have a North Face Backpack.. similar to this https://www.amazon.co.uk/North-Face-Connector-Unisex-Backpack/dp/B08JMBM3PM

 

Had it for a couple years now, still going strong! Has a compartment within the bag which seems to be for a notepad/a couple books.. however my laptop fits nicely in here. Padding on the rear of the backpack too, so a bit of protection there incase its dropped etc..

[LeMarchand]

Used to use a C.k Magma CK MA2630 Magma Technicians Tool Case. This got relegated to being left in the boot and now sits by my desk at home, waiting for the day I actually have time to sort the garage. Recommended if you carry this amount around.

 

 

These days I try to travel as light as possible and just have a leather satchel something like the below. If anyone has a reasonably priced one that has actually lasted more than a few months, pray tell.

 

 

That carries a laptop (until I can get a decent Windows tablet) that rarely gets used, my lunch, whichever backup disk is being swapped out that day, a tobacco tin of assorted pills and a smaller container with a selection of small bits and bobs, the only ones that see a lot of use being a Wowstick electric screwdriver and USB C hub/card reader/RJ45 thing. Also have a multitool on my belt.

[Davit2005]

25L Back Pack. Room for laptop, network cables and some tools. When I used to be field engineer I had a large laptop bag but it was very heavy (luckily had a strap which was decent enough to walk round central London with), found it in chucking out heap and it is still going strong but unused now.

[Norphy]

I have a variation of this Eastpak backpack for this kind of thing. I like Eastpak bags, they're well-made and last well, and they're not horrifically expensive.

 

When I used to be field engineer I had a large laptop bag but it was very heavy (luckily had a strap which was decent enough to walk round central London with), found it in chucking out heap and it is still going strong but unused now.

 

A long time ago, I used to work as a sales drone for a now (happily) defunct mail order computer reseller. Towards the end of their life, they turned into something of a graveyard of other defunct computer brands, several of which you thought "WTF did they buy that?". Anyway, when I worked as the sales drone, we used to get reps from various vendors come in to do training on their products. Something that a rep from a laptop manufacturer (may have been Dell, I can't remember) said stuck with me. The owned-branded rebadged Clevo/Kapok laptops that we sold came with bags, and theirs didn't. We mentioned this to the rep and she said that she never used laptop bags because it made you an obvious target for theft, especially in busy cities. Pickpockets would just cut the shoulder straps and snatch the laptops away before the owner of the laptop knew what was going on.

 

Admittedly, this was when a laptop was a major purchase (£1000+ 25 years ago was a different prospect to the £300-£500 a typical corporate laptop is probably going to cost these days) but to this day I still carry my laptops in rucksacks when I'm out and about as they're secured to you with two shoulder straps, and you just look like someone with a backpack on rather than someone who's carrying an expensive item.

Edited February 14, 2024 by Norphy

[Dos_Box]

I have a Wenger laptop backpack that I've had for about 14 years now, but it is quite bulky and use a cheap Karrimore backpack more often than that now (it has a pouch for a laptop built in).

 

https://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-covert-rucksack-791176#colcode=79117671

 

This also disguises that I'm carrying a laptop and has held up well over the past 6 or so years.

Had this one been avaible at the time I might have gone for it instead (it's also slightly cheaper) - https://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-urban-22-backpack-791068#colcode=79106803

[SamanthaD]

I have one of these...

Product link

 

it's a bit heavy but has survived a few years of abuse, though I swapped the insert out for my old Stanley Fatmax insert as it laid out my screwdrivers better.

[SamanthaD]

Used to use a C.k Magma CK MA2630 Magma Technicians Tool Case. This got relegated to being left in the boot and now sits by my desk at home, waiting for the day I actually have time to sort the garage. Recommended if you carry this amount around.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]70861[/ATTACH]

 

I tried that bag but found having the weight on one side was tiring pretty quickly, I prefer to have a rucksack style so I can spread the load over both shoulders and not twist my back. But I walk a lot to my jobs, if it's a quick "from the car to the job" it might suffice for some.

 

Also have a multitool on my belt.

 

I stopped that when it was pointed out the knife on a multi-tool is normally illegal as it's a locking knife, though the law says you can carry it if you have good reason to. As part of a multi-tool carried on a "just in case" basis wasn't enough justification for me, so it stays in my toolbox nowadays.

[HarryMonkey]

I use one of these. Holds my laptop, iFixit kit, ext HDD, various cables, bits of paperwork and it holds my lunchbag and a small flask as well. It generally gets carried on my shoulder but has the advantage of a handle and wheels to pull along if you so desire.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backpack-Rucksack-Waterproof-Suitcase-Business/dp/B0BKL65G8X/

Edited February 14, 2024 by HarryMonkey

[Roberto]

and you just look like someone with a backpack on rather than someone who's carrying an expensive item.

 

That's very true but we've had muggings where people have targetted a person dressed in business clothes walking around with a backpack because these days its obvious what you're doing.

 

You're still right of course, but, yeah muggers are just pretty indiscriminate these days.

[southhamster]

After years of struggling with a too big rucksack or carry bag, I downsized to this;

https://www.caselogic.com/en-gb/laptop-bags/laptop-backpacks/case-logic-14-laptop-backpack-_-caselogic_85854220408

Enough room for a 14" laptop and plenty of storage pockets for small tools and cables, but not too monstrous, and has stood up well.

 

I also have a small hard plastic toolbox with the rest of the tools in which I bought around 1990 from Texas DIY store (only old people will remember them!) and is perfectly sized - it's even strong enough to stand on occasionally!

[pete]

Currently a Fjallraven Greenland shoulder bag. Fits a laptop, odds and ends and a small set of tools. Also big enough for an overnight/weekend trip.

 

For "going to X to fix Y" I have a dedicated toolbag.

[msi_school]

These days I try to travel as light as possible and just have a leather satchel something like the below. If anyone has a reasonably priced one that has actually lasted more than a few months, pray tell.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]70862[/ATTACH]

 

That carries a laptop (until I can get a decent Windows tablet) that rarely gets used, my lunch, whichever backup disk is being swapped out that day, a tobacco tin of assorted pills and a smaller container with a selection of small bits and bobs, the only ones that see a lot of use being a Wowstick electric screwdriver and USB C hub/card reader/RJ45 thing. Also have a multitool on my belt.

 

I have one of these which I purchased in 2020 that is still going strong.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PLJ7RF4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

[Davit2005]

I have a variation of this Eastpak backpack for this kind of thing. I like Eastpak bags, they're well-made and last well, and they're not horrifically expensive.

 

 

 

A long time ago, I used to work as a sales drone for a now (happily) defunct mail order computer reseller. Towards the end of their life, they turned into something of a graveyard of other defunct computer brands, several of which you thought "WTF did they buy that?". Anyway, when I worked as the sales drone, we used to get reps from various vendors come in to do training on their products. Something that a rep from a laptop manufacturer (may have been Dell, I can't remember) said stuck with me. The owned-branded rebadged Clevo/Kapok laptops that we sold came with bags, and theirs didn't. We mentioned this to the rep and she said that she never used laptop bags because it made you an obvious target for theft, especially in busy cities. Pickpockets would just cut the shoulder straps and snatch the laptops away before the owner of the laptop knew what was going on.

 

Admittedly, this was when a laptop was a major purchase (£1000+ 25 years ago was a different prospect to the £300-£500 a typical corporate laptop is probably going to cost these days) but to this day I still carry my laptops in rucksacks when I'm out and about as they're secured to you with two shoulder straps, and you just look like someone with a backpack on rather than someone who's carrying an expensive item.

 

I would of liked to see someone make a quick getaway with that bag honest, I'd defo know when it was not on my shoulder :-) but good point. I did used to carry my work £2500 macbook in a plain day sack though when I got that but did not need any tools then :-)

[LeMarchand]

I tried that bag but found having the weight on one side was tiring pretty quickly, I prefer to have a rucksack style so I can spread the load over both shoulders and not twist my back. But I walk a lot to my jobs, if it's a quick "from the car to the job" it might suffice for some.

I stopped that when it was pointed out the knife on a multi-tool is normally illegal as it's a locking knife, though the law says you can carry it if you have good reason to. As part of a multi-tool carried on a "just in case" basis wasn't enough justification for me, so it stays in my toolbox nowadays.

 

Yeah the Magma case stayed at home if I had to use the train!

 

IANAL but I see work as "work" rather than a public place and remember to take my multitool off if going anywhere before/after work.