Britto by Heys laptop case

There may be many modern ways that make getting from point A to point B easier.  However, the necessary travel restrictions that have come since security and airline budgets have tightened makes efficient packing even more important.  Staying within the bag size limit for carry-ons is critical for the business traveler or the budget traveler who does not want to pay to check bags in. But, those are not the only concerns.  Add to the list getting through security quickly, carrying gear for kids, keeping your tech gadgets safe from destruction, not exceeding the carry-on limit, and finding your luggage quickly at the carousel.  It’s not an easy task.  There are luggage and laptop bag choices that make travel easier. 

• Wheeled luggage- Probably the oldest trick in the book, a wheeled luggage piece or laptop case makes running through airports easy and it gives a huge break to your back.   For checked luggage, Rimowa rolling luggage is a favorite of international travelers.  The polycarbonate is not only slick looking, it is lightweight and virtually indestructible.  There is the added bonus of TSA compliant locks, which keep your belongings safe in transport.  If a soft side is more your style, check out the Mandarina Duck luggage collection, that offers several shapes and colors. 
• Easy to stow – Restrictions on the number of carry-ons has tightened to one plus one personal item, so you better make your bag count.  For the ladies, we really like a laptop bag that has dual purpose as a handbag, such as the Gina B bella laptop bag.  This will fit under the seat in front of you and leave you allowance for one more bag in the overhead (translation – don’t check a bag if you do not have to).  Another bag that saves on storage space but packs a punch with what it fits is the Urban Junket eco-friendly laptop tote and backpack.  Offered in two sizes and multiple colors, a ton fits in this fashionable tote bag.
•   Easy to see -  When it’s your turn to pull your bag from the luggage carousel, you want to know that it is yours.  Since an overwhelming percentage of bags are black, an easy solution is to switch up the color.  You won’t miss a Britto by Heys luggage piece, since the shell is covered in the renowned artwork of artist Romero Britto.  If that is a little too far from black for you, try the Work collection from Mandarina Duck, which is offered in a mellow blue and a deep burgundy, both colorful but sophisticated.
• Fun for kids – Anyone who has traveled with kids knows that they have a short attention span.  Anything that you can do to make travel fun and also recruit their labor to help you carry everything through the airport will help.  The Disney by Heys kids luggage collection features a fun look with all of a kid’s favorite Disney characters.  The bags are small enough that children can pull them themselves, and the bright patterns make it easy to spot the bag (or the child) from afar.  Like Luggage has brightly patterned duffels and wheeled luggage that was designed by a teenager, so it has a younger appeal without being too juvenile. 
• TSA compliant – The most frequent of business travelers have getting through security at airports down to a science.  One of the secrets is choosing a TSA compliant laptop bag, which means the laptop can stay in the bag while it goes through the x-ray machine.  Since security requires most every article of clothing come off, each little step that one can save helps with timing.  This makes bags like the brenthaven stylus checkpoint friendly laptop case ideal.  They open flat with the laptop isolated in one compartment and everything else in the others.
• Gadget storage – Laptops are not the only gadgets that have to go through the x-ray.  Rather than pulling everything out separately or having different storage bags for each, we recommend a bag that has enough pockets to store everything.  The mcklein armitage laptop backpack with removable sleeve has pockets for a phone, iPad, and as the name implies, a removable laptop sleeve.  The headphone port allows headphones to stay in the bag and then for them to attach to a iPod without any extra effort.

5) checkpoint friendly laptop bags – Since we’re on the topic of frequent travelers, it’s important to mention that checkpoint friendly laptop bags have gained rapidly in popularity. Rather than taking your laptop out of its case at security, these are permitted to transport through the x-ray in the case. We recommend the mobile edge scan-fast laptop messenger. The laptop compartment opens to TSA specifications, and then there are many added pockets for easy access to everything else that the busy travelers needs to carry. Plus, it has a sleeve so that it will slide over a wheeled bag handle and sit tight.

4) designer laptop tote – With the last year’s economic challenges, some folks have held back from buying new accessories. However, we are seeing ladies begin to update their wardrobe with a practical choice, like a laptop tote. It’s pretty hard to choose just one. The Moonsus cosmopolitan satchel is true to its name. Made of supple leather, this laptop tote looks more like a stylish handbag but the three-quarter zipper opens to several handy compartments, including one specific for a laptop. This author travels with a similar by Moonsus, and the bag does wonders going from day meetings to a just a handbag when I’m on the road and don’t want to carry multiple bags.

3) eco-friendly laptop sleeves – Is it fashion that influences culture or vice versa? Regardless, we have seen an increased interest in laptop cases that take concern for the environment by using recycled items. Greensmart has built its brand around this concept, and has multiple sleeves and jackets made from recycled plastic bottles.

2) netbook case – The whole point of a netbook is small and compact. If that is the point, then why would you choose a big laptop bag? We’re partial to the Higher Ground mini shuttle 10”. One of the best features is the cool deck workstation – the case opens up into a full work station that your netbook never needs to leave. The cool deck dissipates heat to keep your laptop from overheating while in use. This mini-notebook case is so versatile it comes in multiple color choices and has a removable shoulder strap.

1) Designer Laptop Sleeves – By far, these sleeves were the top seller this holiday. They are economical (most less than $50), versatile (can fit in numerous other bags), and expressive (try a few and use the one that fits your mood). There are an assortment of designs ranging from flowers or hearts (pictured) to skulls or camouflage. The neoprene is imprinted with a patent-pending process that makes for a design that is truly permanent and won’t peel off.

TSA (the Travel Security Administration) has some relatively simple guidelines. Your laptop needs to lay flat on the X-ray belt. No zippers or metal objects can be underneath or on top of the laptop section, and there can be no pockets in the laptop section. There can be nothing else in the laptop section other than the laptop. The whole idea is that the TSA rep needs to be able to easily see your laptop as it goes through the X-ray.

If you really want to keep it simple for yourself, just choose a laptop sleeve or bag that is already identified as checkpoint friendly. Mobile Edge has created its “Scan Fast” series of laptop bags, that includes a checkpoint friendly backpack and several briefcases that fold open and allow you to keep the laptop inside. Then you can choose to select a sleeve that will go in any bag, keeping your laptop safe but also making security fast.

If you are looking for more details, check out TSA’s web site