Laptops are becoming more and more popular these days, and are now often the only type of computer used in the home. This is because, as they become more and more affordable, their computing power is growing to the point that they are as powerful as the desktop computers of a few years ago. Laptops are not yet powerful enough to be a good choice if you often perform power-intensive tasks such as video editing. But for web browsing, word processing, and most other common computing jobs, they’re fine, as long as you don’t mind the small screen size. Or, if you don’t mind having a VERY small screen and are primarily using the computer for email and Internet browsing, you can save a lot of money and travel cheap by buying a Netbook computer for as little as $ 250 or even less. Many don’t like to use what a laptop has in place of a mouse, but you can add a mouse at minimal cost.
If you decide to buy a laptop and are going to take it with you instead of keeping it on a desk as a replacement for your old desktop, it is important that you buy good protection for it. It is a good idea to buy a hard case and laptop sleeve, which can be thought of as a fitted envelope for your laptop, made of plastic, neoprene, vinyl, or more exotic materials like leather. Just a case for your laptop is not enough because with a case, a laptop, especially a powerful desktop replacement model, is often heavier and less portable than you would like. A case offers enough protection for most situations, without the bulk or weight of a case.
The price of good quality laptop sleeves ranges from $ 15 to $ 50. A good cover should be padded for added protection in case you drop it. This can happen more often than you think; for example, students often forget that they have their computer in a backpack and then proceed to throw the backpack on the ground. You should also consider whether you want the sleeve to include a handle or a shoulder strap. There is a wide selection of covers available online, so you should compare prices and styles by doing searches on Internet search engines like Google. Use multiple search terms, such as “laptop sleeve” and “laptop sleeve”, to get the best results. Find the size and style that meets your needs first, and once you’ve narrowed down your options, shop around. Remember that the size specification, such as 17 inches, refers to the diagonal measurement of your laptop screen. If you are unsure of the size, look for sleeves specifically designed for your laptop model.
A neoprene laptop sleeve is a good option because, in addition to protection, it is especially light and has a sleek look like a wetsuit. Neoprene is also known as polychloroprene and is a type of synthetic rubber, invented by Dupont about 70 years ago. Belkin is one of the best neoprene sleeve brands in a variety of sizes and colors, although if you have a Macbook Pro, the fit may not be as snug as you’d like. Microsoft also makes a good neoprene sleeve.
A good website to search for laptop sleeves of all the different types is eBags. Their collection of covers includes the Designer Sleeves 17-inch executive laptop model, with a handle and strap and available in a variety of colors and designs, for around $ 48. A much slimmer neoprene model they have is the 17-inch SlipSuit from Mobile Edge, also available in multiple colors, for around $ 23.
For many laptop users, the appearance of the sleeve is at least as important as its function. For you “fashionistas” there is a great list of 50 stylish and unique sleeves in Hongkiat. For example, there is the “My Documents” laptop sleeve, which looks like the “My Documents” icon on a PC. Or try the Italian leather sleeve that looks like one of those manila envelopes used to send mail from one department to another in a business. Another looks like the front of a white shirt worn to the office, with a tie and a chest pocket. Other designs are simpler. Of course, most of these pretty sleeves are quite a bit more expensive than the plain and utilitarian ones.
If you are a bargain hunter like me, consider buying a used laptop sleeve on eBay. If a seller has a lot of positive feedback and accepts returns, buying on eBay is safe and the selection is wide. Make sure to check the shipping cost (many eBay sellers make money by overcharging for shipping) and delivery time. Also make sure the image is of the actual item rather than a stock photo, and read the description of the condition of the sleeves carefully. Signing up to be an eBay member is fairly easy and free. Most of the time, sellers only accept PayPal payments, but signing up for PayPal is much easier than it used to be. Another place to use covers is Craigslist, but the selection is much, much more limited.