PCs: The Missing Manual

Appendix E. Packing a Laptop Bag

Like stocking a backpack for a week in the mountains, packing a laptop bag forces you to walk a fine line between preparedness and aching shoulders. But picking the right mix of accessories can mean the difference between a successful trip and the forehead-smacking revelation that you’ve forgotten a key laptop-helper. By stocking your bag with the following items, you’ll be more prepared than the average traveler. Indeed, you might find yourself a hero among other coffee shop laptoppers. Some of these items require a few hours of preparation; others, a few days.

Fully Charged Battery

A laptop’s battery drains away like chocolate milk in front of a child. A freshly charged battery gives you a few hours of extra work time (or DVD viewing), even if you forget everything else listed in this appendix. Always charge your laptop’s battery before taking your machine on the road. This step also saves embarrassing delays when airport security demands that you prove your laptop works; there’s nothing worse than having to plug in your laptop to demonstrate prove that it’s a working unit.

Tip

A spare battery is expensive, and much too heavy for most folks. But if you’re working outdoors, an extra battery will keep your laptop running on batteries all day.

Power Adapter and Accessories

Most power adapters (the brick-shaped, electrical funneling boxes) have a detachable power cord, so be sure to pack the cord as well. If you’ll be charging your laptop inside a car, bring ...