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PaperclipPerfector  1mo ago (text post)   3024 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 25, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Do you carry a notebook in your satchel?

Both of the pen-and-paper type and the small laptop definitions. Although the pen-and-paper side is a little aspirational: I tend to end up giving up the paper notepads nearly as often as people ‘borrow’ usb chargers permanently.

Does the bottom of the back protect the laptop when you're putting it down? Are you pretty gentle with the bag when you put it down? How do you generally handle it?

I'm pretty rough on carry bags, but I don't hurl it like a discus, either. Haven't had any damage to my laptop yet... but it's one of the last good ThinkPad models. The only real padding is more intended as reinforcement material, so I don't think it's enough I'd be comfortable using the thing to carry a laptop when bicycling or something where a completely uncontrolled impact is plausible, and I don't think any of the other variants are much better there. The best I've seen from them is the B-15 Pilot variant, and it's still only fairly thin 'leather' padding with some reinforcement.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any good inexpensive ones that are much better.

Thanks for this. The impact on a laptop is probably the primary concern I have of buying this style of bag. I've got this weird association between carrying bags and dumping them down, probably from bad habits picked up back in high school. Which is more of a problem with 'me' as compared to the bag.

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