[Vimoutliner] biking with a notebook

[Scott Scriven]

* Steve Litt <slitt at troubleshooters.com> wrote:
> Peter -- when you ride your bicycle with your laptop, how do 
> you carry the laptop? How long have you been doing this? Has 
> anything shaken loose in the laptop, or has it exhibited 
> intermittent symptoms?
> 
> I'd love to ride my bicycle around with my laptop. but am 
> afriad the banging and jarring will harm the laptop.

I've been carrying my notebook(s) with me for at least 8 years, 
including walking trips, car trips, a couple dozen trips through 
the airport, and lots of biking trips.  I've spent a lot of time 
"in the field" with my notebook, setting up last-mile 'net access 
and such, not to mention frequent trips to the coffee shop.  I 
haven't noticed any damage or even wear-and-tear due to travel, 
thanks to my backpack.

I have a backpack called a 'zip drive', designed to hold a 
notebook computer.  It basically has a padded sleeve in the main 
compartment where the notebook goes, and I put the power adapter 
just outside the notebook sleeve.

That reminds me.  I did actually get a bit of damage once, but 
only once.  The first time I put my notebook in my backpack (old 
notebook, previous backpack), the power adapter scratched the 
notebook case.  So, I promptly went and got a better backpack 
(the old one wasn't designed for a computer).  It's holding up 
well; I've been taking it everywhere for 8 years.


The type of notebook is important too.  I prefer small/light 
notebooks.  Portability is important to me, and not just because 
I was doing a lot of wireless surveying for a while.  I like to 
be able to pick up my notebook by the front corner without it 
bending under its own weight, and hold it with one hand while I 
type with the other.  Fitting in my coat pocket is another bonus, 
during the winter.

I had an old 6lb notebook which was too heavy for its own good 
(its plastic case broke in several places under its own weight), 
so I've been getting lighter models (3lbs or so) ever since.  
I've also made sure to get magnesium cases instead of plastic.

If you want to get something really damage-resistant, there are 
Panasonic Toughbooks...  they're built like tanks, and usually 
have a built-in handle, so you can just carry it naked.  Or, you 
could get a new eeePC-style notebook with a solid-state disk.


Anyway, that was a lot of rambling, but maybe it helps.


-- Scott