Business bag for a mobile worker

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NZVengeance

134 posts

Master Geek

#139113 28-Jan-2014 13:48

I have a friend who is looking for a bag to solve his travel problems.

He owns his own company and does a lot of travel around NZ and over seas.
Typically he isn't away for more than 1 week at a time.

problem is he carries everything with him

This is what he wants out of a bag

Roller style
Space for 17" laptop
Space for a tablet (has a surface pro2)
Space for a drawing tablet
All of the other accessories like mouse, USB hub, Chargers, pens, diary etc.
Space for enough clothing for 1 week travel (including 2 pairs of shoes)
Space to keep a suit wrinkle free.

it literally needs to be the one bag that stores everything so he can pick it up and go knowing he has everything he needs.

I have looked around but cant really find anything that fits the bill.

Has anyone on here had any experience with this sort of thing?

TwoSeven

1624 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#976102 28-Jan-2014 17:50

I think victorinox do a wheeled bag that has a clothes compartment and a office compartment - something with a similar design would probably be idea. There are new rules for air travel these days, so it pays to get a compliant bag.

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Technofreak

6530 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#976331 28-Jan-2014 23:00

He needs two bags, as the stuff you describe probably won't fit in a carry on bag so he will need a checked in bag. I wouldn't put laptops and tablets etc in a checked in bag.

I'd also suggest that he trim down his IT inventory. I'd be ditching one of the tablets for travel. I'd even question the need for a 17 inch laptop when traveling, they're pretty bulky. I'd be going for a 13 or 14 inch laptop. My motto is to keep the weight and bulk down It's amazing what you can do with out when you are travelling.

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tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#976336 28-Jan-2014 23:10

Two bags.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#976344 28-Jan-2014 23:28

1. Two bags. He won't fit all the clothing in a bag that can be carried in the cabin. He definitely doesn't want his expensive tech with business information in his checked baggage - with the risk of damage, theft and getting miss-directed.

2. Rationalise the gadgets and business paraphernalia. It he has a surface pro why does he need a laptop as well? If the surface pro has office on it, and presumably a smart phone as well, why does he need a separate diary? Culling the gadget count will also enable him to carry less in the way of chargers and cables as well.

I would get one of the large-ish briefcases for the cabin (rigid to protect the tech inside, able to be carried on to flights and stowed overhead), and an appropriately sized samsonite wheely case with a handle for checked luggage with clothes etc.

NZVengeance

134 posts

Master Geek

#976403 29-Jan-2014 07:48

Sorry I should have clarified that a little better. He doesn't carry a 17" laptop as well. he has a 15.6" USB powered monitor very slim and light weight, that's what would go in that pocket. But I think the overall dimensions of that screen are a little more than you would fit in a 15.6" laptop pocket.

If two bags are a must can anyone suggest brands that are good. Possibly something that he could connect the two bags together for easy transport

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#976406 29-Jan-2014 07:55

Yep, 2 bags.

If you are traveling on business you want to be able to leave your clothes at the hotel room and just take your work stuff with you.

tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#976423 29-Jan-2014 08:35

I've had 5 years of hard wear out of this High Sierra 17" wheeled laptop bag and its still going strong and is in great condition.
It was originally purchased for a 17" laptop and comes with a sleeve that'll provide extra padding for the laptop/monitor while it's inside the bag. You can also attach a shoulder strap to the sleeve and carry it over the shoulder if you need more room, and the sleeve has its own
pockets which'll fit a laptop power adapter and cable and 3 other pockets big enough to each fit a 1TB usb hard drive. If its a 2-3 day national trip and I only want carry on luggage I'll wear or carry the suit jacket, use the sleeve for the laptop and use the wheeled bag for extra shoes, clothes, paperwork and cables.
Also it has a strap at the back so it can be attached to the handle and sit securely on top of a larger piece of luggage (although I've only ever done this once as I tend to overload the wheeled bag which makes the double up too top heavy).

Regarding brands, apart from this High Sierra bag I've only ever bought Samsonite. They can be expensive but are totally worth it in terms of quality and looks. They do some cheaper pieces but the material/quality are noticeable cheaper.

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Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#976425 29-Jan-2014 08:43

How about something link Minaal?

TwoSeven

1624 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#976624 29-Jan-2014 12:48

I travel with one bag quite fine and it can be a carry on- the trick is understanding the needs of a mobile office. Typically I just have my surface pro, iPhone (for internet access), wireless mouse and surface pro charger (it has USB for the iPhone).

The other needs can be a mobile printer, and a document storage compartment (if printed files or forms are required).

If I don't have the space in the one bag (for example more clothes), then I have a zip-up messenger bag that I take as hand luggage that has a laptop and cable section in it. Adding the carry on bag means that the other wheeled bag can be upsized a little.

I don't tend to need a diary as much these days, but if on location I would use one (I was trained in using a Filofax and there isn't really an electronic equivalent that works as well) - although I am a heavy user of OneNote and Outlook.

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