tornado60

For those asking I have some back issues. I think I'd be in for some serious pain if I tried to carry it that way. Otherwise, I would. Thank you for all the great ideas.

Hypno Toad

I understand, and sorry if any of my posts were too snarky.

tornado60

No one was snarky. I could just see why it might be confusing for some. I thought maybe I should explain more.

I don't know if you are a freak. My spine definitely could not do that. I think I carried too many heavy textbooks in my school days. It just doesn't handle heavy loads for very long. I'm not sure the exact weight of my laptop. That thing is big and feels on the heavy side though.

Maelochs

When I carry all my cameras I carry a supply of dry bags (camping equipment) plus always double-wrap in plastic .... in waterproof paniers except sometime sin my trunk rack. For a large laptop I would put it in a dry bag, wrap it in padding, put the whole thing in a carry-all bag, and bungee it to the top of the rear rack. I know vibration can be an issue but if there is enough padding it will be muted, not high-frequency/force .... my biggest worry is always water. I don't want to get caught in a rain storm while carrying a load of unprotected electronics.

@Diablo_Scott (post #4) has that air-pillow adding which I think is the best for vibration-damping. I also built a rig using a plastic bucket (get a square one for ease of mounting) and used the semi-rigid foam from a few computer-shipping boxes (I save the stuff) to create a fully-padded crash cell for a super-zoom lens. It was bulky but tough.

As for general toughness testing---I had a pannier come off the bike when I slammed a big pile of spilled, dried concrete on a stretch of road where I couldn't avoid it without getting in front of cars. I went back, reattached the pannier (noting that I needed to improve the retention system) and rode on, never even wondering if the gear inside was alright. And it was. Padding and water-proofing are very possible.

So .... definitely put your laptop in your bag and drop it 15 feet onto concrete to test the system. What could go wrong?

79pmooney

I went to the Ortleib site to look at the size of the large roller panniers. 18" high, 14" wide at the top, 9" at the bottom. 10" deep. I cannot imagine your laptop with padded case won't fit easily. The sides in the lower portion will just bow out. The package may extent past the top a touch but when rolled down, it should be totally watertight and hold the laptop securely. I've been carrying oversize loads in my small Ortleibs for 20 years.

Edit: The waterproofing of Ortleibs - they are made just like their rafts. My 20 year old ones have gotten one leak, from a very sharp knife I stock clear through. Did a standard repair and it's as good as new. I wash them like pots with a sponge and dishsoap. Fun to pick them up full and see zero water on the outside. I've forgotten to push them down to lock them in place and shed them downhill. Those 30 foot slides on the pavement don't do any more to them than a raft brushing a rock.

Bug Shield

When I had a larger laptop, I carried it in an Arkel Briefcase. That item seems to have been replaced by this one: https://www.arkel-od.com/briefcase-laptop-bag/

Later, with a smaller laptop, I just slid it on the inner sleeve of my Ortlieb Front-Roller Plus.

panzerwagon 

Ortlieb makes a padded laptop organizer insert for their backrollers. Works quite well for me.

Big Dave Crowe

ive got an old school handle bar mounted bag that looks like a saddle bag. It's reinforced with foam and the laptop stays nice and snug. The material is water resistant not waterproof so I added some extra protection via scoth gaurd spray. works great!

Harhir

Dito. I use the same. That insert works great. I ride recumbents due to my back issues and panniers are the only option on a recumbent.