August 23, 2024 / by Danny Mavis

These days, we rarely leave the house without our devices. Whether you’re a content creator, a professional who travels to work regularly or a student commuting to school, you need your devices. And while everyone has their phone taking any preventative measures to keep it safe, not everyone who carries a laptop does the same. You may think it’s a sturdier device not as susceptible to damage, but it’s an electronic device after all; travelling with one isn’t risk-free.

How to Prevent Damaging Your Laptop?

source: medium.com

Being the indispensable daily companion for many of us, the laptop often fits in our bags and backpacks and makes its way to the conference room, the coffee shop, and the workplace. We frequently see one resting on desks, aeroplane trays, couch arms, and knees. Because of its extreme portability, your laptop is especially prone to mistakes and accidents. Here are 5 ways to protect your valuable gadget when travelling the world or daily commuting from home to work.

Get a Reliable Bag With a Dedicated Compartment

Investing in a sleek backpack or bag with a specific laptop compartment from a stylishly functional bag brand such as Bellroy is the most crucial thing you can do to protect your laptop when travelling.

Why Bellroy of all brands? If you’ve seen or held a bag or accessory with Bellroy’s logo – Roy the Owl – or even better: used one, you know how intelligently designed their products are. This data-driven Australian brand has been famous for its bags and other products since it redefined wallet design in the 2000s.

Its inventive bag line has clean lines, intelligent structure, versatile storage compartments, and uses environment-friendly materials to fulfil the needs of the modern commuter, the corporate worker and everyone who appreciates savvy gadgets.

Whether their Melbourne or Classic backpack, the Tokyo tote or laptop bag or the innovative and well-designed Bellroy laptop sleeve, almost every bag in the Bellroy bag range has a dedicated laptop compartment cushioned with reasonably thick, sturdy padding from all sides.

When choosing a pack or backpack from their range, the only thing to worry about should be that it has a big enough compartment to accommodate your laptop without being too roomy to allow it to move around excessively. And, to pick an option that resonates with your lifestyle.

If you’re looking for a chic and understated choice ideal for hopping off the tram and stopping for a fantastic cup of coffee on the way to work, look no further than the Melbourne backpack. The Tokyo tote pack has a convertible design that goes from a tote to a backpack to accompany you through your daily adventures.

And if you’re looking for additional protection for your tech, choose the Bellroy laptop sleeve, impeccably engineered with a quilted microfibre lining, eco-friendly materials, and a magnetic closure to keep your computer safe.

Keep Your Bag Organised

It’s one thing to place the laptop within the designated backpack section. What counts, though, is also how you pack everything else. Most Bellroy bags, for example, have several useful pockets inside that can help you keep your belongings organised. Use them to hold other items like daily essentials, accessories, and power cords. You can avoid accessories flying around and perhaps breaking your laptop by properly packaging everything.

Additionally, you should ensure that the laptop is the only item in the laptop compartment and that it stays apart from everything else. Avoid packing too much. You might have to give up on some items if you have a problem zipping up your bag. If not, the pressure from the tightly packed laptop may scratch the surface or fracture the screen in the worst situation.

Shut Down Entirely

Even though it may take longer to switch off and back on, it is strongly advised to completely power down the laptop before placing it in the bag. Simply closing the lid and putting it in sleep or hibernation mode instead of turning it off while packing can be tempting. Even when your laptop is in sleep or hibernation mode, it can still generate heat. It’s encased in the backpack, making it difficult for heated air to escape – so it’s best to shut it down completely to guarantee complete safety.

Protect Your Laptop from the Elements

source: packhacker.com

Water and electronics don’t mix nicely. Protecting your laptop from moisture, such as rain or snow when travelling, is imperative. One great way to do that is to invest in a water-resistant backpack. Remember that most bags and backpacks can only repel so much water; therefore, invest in a waterproof backpack sleeve that you can wear on demand.

Another option is to use a waterproof laptop sleeve, but if you do, make sure your laptop is fully off before using it because these sleeves keep nothing out, not even hot air.

Also, steer clear of excessive direct sunlight exposure. That applies to your laptop as well as your laptop bag. In extreme circumstances, sunlight can heat the laptop’s components to the point of melting, possibly inflicting irreversible damage. Another situation to be avoided is placing your computer close to the window on a bright day.

Make Sure to Charge Safely

It can be dangerous to charge while on the go, particularly if you travel abroad to an area where the standard voltage differs from your native country. Invest in a high-quality power plug converter in that situation.

While there may not be much price difference between an inexpensive, unreliable converter and a high-quality one, it is worth it, as it’ll protect your laptop from unpredictable power supplies or harm from electrical surges. You might also consider installing a surge protector or spike guard to increase protection.