What kind of briefcase do I want?
January 11, 2013 12:23 PM Subscribe
So I finally had to go and grow up, and now I need a briefcase. But I don't really know what I need to look for.
My requirements:
- Big enough to carry documents and a 13" laptop
- Fairly secure - I have no illusions about whether someone would be able to get in if they stole the whole case, but I don't want it to be easy to just reach inside when I'm not looking
- Not too fiddly to open myself
- Professional looking, I will be taking this to court and to meetings with clients, among other things
Bonus if it's under £50 and likely to be available in UK high street stores.
My requirements:
- Big enough to carry documents and a 13" laptop
- Fairly secure - I have no illusions about whether someone would be able to get in if they stole the whole case, but I don't want it to be easy to just reach inside when I'm not looking
- Not too fiddly to open myself
- Professional looking, I will be taking this to court and to meetings with clients, among other things
Bonus if it's under £50 and likely to be available in UK high street stores.
Response by poster: Field is computer forensics with a dash of IT consulting.
Yes it should be black. It will likely not be used every day, and I don't think I need it to be ultra formal, but it should definitely not give off 'casual' vibes.
posted by fearnothing at 1:57 PM on January 11, 2013
Yes it should be black. It will likely not be used every day, and I don't think I need it to be ultra formal, but it should definitely not give off 'casual' vibes.
posted by fearnothing at 1:57 PM on January 11, 2013
The Samsonite Inspector Attache is a classic and comes in two sizes, they cost about £120 but are worth every penny.
posted by Lanark at 3:31 PM on January 11, 2013
posted by Lanark at 3:31 PM on January 11, 2013
Office supplies retailer here. Most of the "formal" type that DarlingBri linked to are document briefcases; while they may have a large compartment in the bottom, few are partitioned to securely hold a laptop (it'll slop around in there.) There are models of this type specifically designed to accommodate a laptop; Samsonite and Solo both make very nice looking models.
Unless you work in an ultra-formal setting, use of a leather or ballistic nylon laptop bag like this is quite commonplace, even among C-levels. Nice padded compartment for your laptop, and several compartments for documents, pens, accessories, etc. Note that the acceptance of nylon laptop bags may be a regional thing (Seattle area), but I know quite a few C-levels who use them; some even wear backpacks. YMMV.
posted by xedrik at 3:35 PM on January 11, 2013
Unless you work in an ultra-formal setting, use of a leather or ballistic nylon laptop bag like this is quite commonplace, even among C-levels. Nice padded compartment for your laptop, and several compartments for documents, pens, accessories, etc. Note that the acceptance of nylon laptop bags may be a regional thing (Seattle area), but I know quite a few C-levels who use them; some even wear backpacks. YMMV.
posted by xedrik at 3:35 PM on January 11, 2013
If you want to walk into an M&S, this is what they have.
posted by DarlingBri at 3:39 PM on January 11, 2013
posted by DarlingBri at 3:39 PM on January 11, 2013
I just bought this Sumdex Laptop Notebrief which had great reviews and which I'm liking thus far.
posted by vegartanipla at 5:09 PM on January 11, 2013
posted by vegartanipla at 5:09 PM on January 11, 2013
I have a beautiful Ashley Jones leather satchel I bought about eight years ago from a random shop on Ealing Broadway that no longer exists - but the briefcase sounds like it would fit your needs perfectly. Ashley Jones (London) doesn't have a web presence, bizarrely, but the bag I have is beautiful and awesome and still in perfect condition and if you can find one, I highly recommend the brand.
posted by goo at 6:17 PM on January 11, 2013
posted by goo at 6:17 PM on January 11, 2013
Response by poster: I suppose one of the things I should be asking is, given my requirements, what features do they specifically eliminate, and what features would particularly support them? Should I be looking at buckles, combination locks or something else? What makes a case good or bad for carrying a laptop?
posted by fearnothing at 12:41 AM on January 12, 2013
posted by fearnothing at 12:41 AM on January 12, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
Assuming your work shoes are black, you should plan to procure one in black as well.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:36 PM on January 11, 2013