As I am preparing to go to college next year, I find myself in need of a number of new items. My main concern is the laptop that I will need. It doesn't need to have a wide-screen or an extra-fancy video card, just a good amount of memory space. I'll probably be happy with whatever I get. But, believe it or not, I'm rather concerned about the accessories I will buy to go with it. I'll be needing a laptop bag to carry it in and a sleeve to protect it.
That being said, where should I get those things? I can easily get a neoprene laptop sleeve on-line for less than $20. And a messenger bag should be around $25. But I don't know where those things were made. Do they come from sweatshops abroad? How much did the person who made them get paid in order for me to buy those products so cheaply?
I have to say, the idea of purchasing fair trade products intrigues me. An online search turned up a gorgeous, hand-sewn laptop sleeve made by Rwandan refugee women. But it was $45. That's as much as I planned to pay for a sleeve and a bag combined. And the laptop bag I found, made from feed bags, was more than $40, as well. Now I am faced with this seemingly innocuous dilemma: should I spend more money, of which I have little, on fair trade items that will benefit others, or buy the cheap, readily-available supplies? And what will I think of myself after my decision is made?
I was going to direct you to shana logic, but I just checked there after quite a few months of not looking and the prices have skyrocketed. Still some neat things, though, for anyone with money to spend.
But...
Hurry! This one is cute and only $16.95 plus shipping!
http://www.originalgood.com/hip-square-messenger-bag-jute-p-5641.html
Also... check out your school's bookstore maybe? I know at UWM all the apparel in the bookstore is sweatshop free.
Good luck and congratulations on being a conscientious shopper! :-)
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has a special home in my fairly inexpensive backpack when that is the way I am traveling. As long as some butt munch does not move your stuff and ignorantly drops your bag rudely onto the floor from about waiste high it will be fine...actually come to think of it someone just did that to mine and my laptop is fine.
Of course I also have a designer skinny case and a leather professional type case with puches and stuff for my note book which are around here somewhere rotting and cracking jokes on how they conned me into a purchase they knew I would never really use.
Good luck!
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I agree. I don't think it is necessary to purchase a bag for your laptop.
you have your bookpack and other bags probably lying around your house.
My laptop fits nicely into my shoulder bag that my mom gave me a while ago. When I'm travelling, it goes in a backpack that was designed to be a shoulderbag for laptops, so it has extra cushioning on the sides.
~C
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You could probably get away with just the laptop bag and not the sleeve. Or maybe just the sleeve and keep it in your backpack or sadle bag. Also, take into consideration how long it will last. If it is good enough quality that it will outlast your college career, than it is worth the money.
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I highly recommend Swiss Gear laptop backpacks (or anything made by Wenger, the parent company, for that matter). They're a little up there for price, but I've been able to fit my 15" laptop with mouse and charger, three or four college books, and a weekend's worth of clothes in mine, not to mention that the price of a good backpack and a good laptop case will likely easily see that price when combined, especially if you want it to last your college career (which it will do, and then some).
Also, you don't need a sleeve if you're going to have a laptop bag of some sort. The sleeve is for if you have another bag you plan on using and want to put it in said bag.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
My uncle bought a Swiss Gear laptop shoulder bag that probably costs a lot of money except he got it on sale for a great price...wish he would have told me about the sale too :)
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Swiss Gear is sold at a lot of the major consumer electronics stores, so it wouldn't surprise me that, with a little looking, one could find a place that has them on sale. Even if they aren't, though, I still find them to have very, very good products.
The way I look at it is this: I'm not afraid to spend a decent amount of money on something I know will last me. My family, as tight as money often got, never hesitated to drop $50 to $100 on a pair of shoes that they knew they were going to last at least two years and that it would be a better "deal" than spending $30 on a pair of shoes that would be worn out within 6 months.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge