Lowepro Computrekker AW laptop damage

[John Clare]

Hi all,

I've recently discovered - much to my annoyance - that my new Macbook's screen has become damaged due to the laptop being compressed when the Lowepro is full of gear and it's on my back.

It's nothing major - just some lines on the glossy surface (from the recessed keyboard transition), but still!

I'm very dissappointed with this bag - I'd read such good reviews and hadn't read anything about others with this problem.

A friend of mine had the same thing happen recently and had to get his screen replaced.

So - is there any chance Lowepro will offer some form of compensation for this damage? It is bad design after all - it's supposed to protect your gear, not damage it! I notice their new Vertex range has the laptop compartment in the front...

Has anyone else had this problem?

Cheers,

John

[JeffZanin]

I noticed the same thing with a Thinkpad (very slim) in my Computrekker. The space for the laptop is quite narrow and does not provide anything to prevent pressure on the case; in fact the compression straps add to the pressure, and no doubt actually carrying it on your back adds motion that increases it even more.

Not a particularly good spot for a laptop, maybe OK for papers, reflector or other items that can take the pressure.

One of the regulars on SportShooter had a hard plastic (Lucite, Lexan, or similar) shell for carrying his Macbook in a regular backpak – something like this might help but (a) I've never seen one in person and (b) I'm not sure it would fit in the Computrekker.

[John Clare]

Hi Jeff,

Glad to see someone else who has experienced this (glad I'm not the only one that is, not glad your laptop is damaged!)

For such a popular bag I'm surprised Google search doesn't throw up hundreds of references to this problem!

I've emailed Lowepro and am awaiting to hear their thoughts.

I may be replacing the Lowepro with a Think Tank Airport Antidote instead.

John

[JeffZanin]

Fortuneately my TP was not too badly damaged, but I stopped carrying it in the Computrekker after one or two uses.

I have also seen people using a clear plastic sheet between the keys and the screen as they close their laptops - apparently the idea is to avoid oil from the fingertips transferring to the screen. A think piece of foam might provide some additional protection, but I think the basic problem is too much pressure combined with not enough rigidity.

[JohnLund]

This was one of the first bags to build in a laptop enclosure and I believe it is still a good bag. However, I initially recognized that if I put all my gear in the bag that it would indeed put weight on my Powerbook if I put the bag back down.

My fix was to find a sleeve to protect the Powerbook and then put both in the bag. So far, five years later, no problems.

The sleeve I recommend is the MacBook Pro Sleeves by booq (R). Mine is the 15" model. This is a good sleeve for any usage not just for your Lowepro.

Cheers,
John

[jeffcable]

I have carted my 17in Powerbook all over the globe, to all manner of external an internal jobs in this...

http://www.drbott.de/prod/TiCase17.html

Highly recommended (even if not madly cheap) and super protection against accidental knocks, drops and general mishandling.

Regards,
Jeff

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