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“This is my laptop. There are many like it but this one is mine. My laptop is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my laptop is useless. Without my laptop I am useless. Let’s go to Moscow. Find the backdoor to the Kremlin and come on in, singing ‘Howdy Owdy Doody How Doody Aye Ey”

extract from the unpublished Secret Oath of the Digital Native

One of the major concerns of the telecommuter or urban nomad, is to keep the electronic devices he or she uses in his/her day-to-day life, safe.

I’m not talking here about how to prevent those devices from being hacked or stolen, but how to make sure that they survive their 24/7 journey between places such as airports, offices, transportations, or cafés.

Per se, the term “nomad” implies the action to regularly move from one place to another. And we too often forget that a decent suitcase/rucksack is no luxury compared to the value of a laptop (should it be the monetary value of the device itself or the sentimental/business value of its content).

I’ve myself experienced two trashed laptops – one hard drive failure and one broken screen – because I was not using a proper computer bag. And when you see how suitcases are taken care of at the airport, you really think twice before leaving your computer in a registered luggage. And since airlines are now charging for that service, a frequent flier’s only option translates into: “carry on”.

There are of course hundreds of possibilities when it comes to choosing the proper computer case: to make it simple, you have three main options: you can opt for a simple messenger style (flap covering, shoulder strap) or Tote Style (short handles, no shoulder strap) laptop case if you’re on the move for a day, a backpack style laptop case if your journey takes you away from home for a day or two or if you ride a bicycle, bike, scooter, segway, skateboard or rollerblades, and the trolley style laptop case if you’re planning to leave for a week of work.

Any option is good as long as it actually fits your need and is not cheap and ugly. “Cheap”? Indeed: what you will buy will always cost you less than having your laptop fixed – believe me. So always keep in mind that $20 between two cases make a difference. “Ugly”? Well, I’m not sure if you’re like me and 80% of the people who wander in airports, but your case somehow reflects who you are. It is actually because it is “only a case”, that it drags much attention when it does not only look like a case. I consider mine almost as my portable office since I have everything inside which allows me to survive in urban jungles

So investing $350 in a trolley is no madness. If you’re not sure where to start looking for your very own laptop bag, I’d recommend you have a look at both this article “Beyond boring black bags … the funky, chic and cool laptop bag!” and this dedicated blog: Funchico.com.

Wired Magazine also conducted in its February issue a benchmark of 5 new computer trolleys.

Personally I wonder whether you really need this level of safeness and pay that price when you can find some really nice and reliable stuff in Bally, Clark & Mayfield or Mandarina Duck for less money.

And if you’re some kind of “do it yourself” person, I can only strongly recommend you to have a look at this website and follow one of the 15 available tutorials on “how to make your own laptop bag”!

You’ll just have to figure out yourself how you’ll explain your buddies why you didn’t show-up to your weekly pocker-game…