Laptop bags and cases

A laptop bag is chosen based on the diagonal of the screen, measured in inches. One inch equals 2.54 cm, so 13 inches is 33 cm, 15 inches is 38.1 cm, and 17 inches is 43.2 cm. There are three formats: the shoulder bag, the backpack which distributes the weight, and the padded sleeve that can slip into a bag.

Shoulder bag, backpack or laptop sleeve

The three formats serve different purposes. The shoulder bag is carried by hand or slung over the shoulder and opens flat on a table, making it ideal for client meetings and train travel. The backpack distributes the load across both shoulders and is the choice for cycling, public transport, and days when you also need to bring a charger, notebook, and water bottle. A cover or laptop sleeve protects the device without carrying it alone, it slips into a cabin suitcase or an already used bag. The common point to require in all three cases is the padded compartment, enclosed and raised above the bottom, so that the device does not touch the ground when you set down the bag.

What size of bag for a 13 to 17 inch laptop

The number in inches measures the diagonal of the screen, never the entire machine. The chassis always exceeds this diagonal, including the keyboard, hinges, and borders, which explains why a laptop bag listed as 15 inches accepts a 15-inch screen but not more. Measure the width and thickness of the closed lid, then compare with the internal dimensions of the compartment. Conversion is done by multiplying the inches by 2.54 cm.

• 13 inches, or 33 cm diagonal
• 14 inches, or 35.6 cm
• 15 inches, or 38.1 cm
• 15.6 inches, or 39.6 cm
• 16 inches, or 40.6 cm
• 17 inches, or 43.2 cm

Shoulder bag, case or backpack: formats and carrying

A search for a laptop bag rarely focuses on colour; it focuses on carrying and bulk. Three concrete options: an adjustable and removable shoulder strap allowing the same model to be carried on the shoulder or by hand, a compact backpack fitting a 13 or 14 inch laptop without exceeding the shoulders, and an internal organisation that prevents having to empty everything to find the charger. Also check the back of the model; a trolley strap allows it to be attached to the telescopic handle of a cabin baggage, and that’s the detail that makes all the difference at the station.

Sleeves and cases for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

Apple also measures in inches, the conversion remains the same. A 13-inch MacBook Air requires a sleeve that fits a 33 cm diagonal, a 14-inch MacBook Pro for 35.6 cm, and a 16-inch MacBook Pro for 40.6 cm. Two precautions specific to these machines: a padded interior because aluminium marks more quickly than a plastic chassis, and a closure that doesn’t scratch the lid. The sleeve is sufficient when the device travels in another bag; otherwise, choose a model with a handle or a dedicated backpack.

Brands of laptop bags and backpacks in our catalogue

Our selection includes specialists in computer protection: Rivacase, Targus, Wenger, Port Designs, Dicota, Mobilis and Case Logic, as well as Samsonite backpacks for travel. Three criteria truly separate them: the padding of the compartment, the presence of a trolley strap, and the number of pockets accessible without opening the main compartment. Our laptop bags, our laptop backpacks, and our laptop sleeves reflect this categorisation by format, with details of compatible sizes model by model.

The format is chosen based on the machine, not the bag: a 15-inch laptop bag does not accommodate a 17-inch laptop, even if the difference seems small. A laptop cover, being thinner, fits inside an existing bag when you don’t want to change bags, and a laptop bag can be carried on the back or shoulder depending on the volume to be transported.

The backpack for laptops remains the most requested format in the category, ahead of the shoulder bag and the sleeve alone.

Our bags and laptop cases by type

• Types
• Top Brands