28 October 2026
How to choose a laptop bag: the right size and style for work, university and travel.
Short answer: measure your laptop, not just its screen, and check it against the bag's maximum device size. Then choose the style by how you travel: a backpack for commuting and campus with both hands free, a slim case for meetings and office days, a sleeve to protect the laptop inside another bag, and a roller for frequent flights. Pay extra for a padded laptop compartment, a strap that holds the laptop in place, water-repellent material and, if you fly, a trolley strap or wheels.
"Laptop bag" is one of the most searched accessories in the UAE, and most buying mistakes come down to two things: a bag that does not fit the laptop, or a style that does not fit the day. A bag that is too big lets the laptop slide and knock; one that is too tight strains the zip and the screen. This guide walks through size, style and features, with examples from the DICOTA bags at EVO.
Step 1: measure the laptop, not just the screen
Screen sizes such as 13.3", 14" or 15.6" measure the screen diagonally, not the laptop. Two 14-inch laptops can differ by a centimetre or more in width, and a thick bezel, a gaming chassis or a protective shell all add size. Bags are sold for a range, such as 14–16" or 15–17.3", and laptop-bag specialists such as DICOTA also publish the largest device each bag takes, in millimetres. Measure your laptop's width, depth and thickness, including any case, and compare all three.
| Your laptop | Look for a bag labelled | Examples at EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Tablet or 10–11" device | 10–11.6" or "for iPad" | Slim Case EDGE 10–11.6", Code Sling Bag for iPad |
| 13" MacBook Air or ultrabook | 11–13", 12–13.3" or 13–14.1" | Slim Case EDGE 12–13.3", Code Backpack 11–13", Skin Base sleeve 13" |
| 14" laptop | 13–14.1" or 14–16" | Slim Case Eco Base 13–14.1", MultiStart 14.1–16.4" |
| 15.6–16" laptop | 15–16.4" or 15.6" | Business or School Backpack 15.6", Bounce SlimCase 15–16.4" |
| 17" laptop or 15–17" workstation | 15–17.3" | Backpack Roller PRO 15–17.3", Eco Multi Roller SELECT 14–17.3" |
Step 2: choose the style for your day
| Style | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Backpack | Commuting, metro and campus: weight on both shoulders, hands free | Less formal in client meetings; check the back padding |
| Slim case or toploader | Meetings, client visits and office days | One shoulder carries the weight, so keep the load light |
| Sleeve | Protection inside another bag, or carrying between meeting rooms | Protects against scratches and knocks, not a full day's kit |
| Sling bag | A tablet or small laptop with a few essentials | Limited space for chargers and documents |
| Roller or backpack roller | Frequent flights and long days with heavy kit | Heavier when carried; check your airline's cabin size rules |
Step 3: the features worth paying for
- A padded laptop compartment. High-density foam (HDF) or EVA foam around the laptop absorbs knocks; the DICOTA Business or School Backpack and MultiStart use HDF, the Slim Case EDGE EVA foam.
- A strap or adjustable divider that stops the laptop sliding to the bottom when the bag is dropped on a floor. The Code Backpack has an adjustable flap that sizes the compartment to the laptop.
- A separate tablet pocket, so a tablet and laptop do not scratch each other.
- Water-repellent material or a rain cover, for the occasional UAE downpour; the Code Backpack includes a rain cover.
- For travel: a trolley strap that slides over a suitcase handle, an RFID-protected pocket for passports and cards, and, on rollers, replaceable wheels. The Backpack Roller PRO combines backpack straps and wheels, has an RFID-protected passport pocket and, according to DICOTA, follows IATA hand-luggage recommendations.
- Recycled materials. DICOTA's Eco and SELECT ranges use recycled PET bottles; the Eco Multi Roller SELECT's main material comes from 16 of them.
Laptop bags for university and school
Students carry the laptop all day, so choose a backpack with padded, adjustable shoulder straps and a breathable back, a lockable or zipped laptop compartment, and room for a charger, notebooks and a water bottle. A 15.6" model such as the DICOTA Business or School Backpack fits most student laptops. Schools rolling out student laptops can pair bags with PRO TECHnology's school device management.
Laptop bags for business travel
For frequent flyers, a backpack roller or a roller case keeps the weight off your shoulders through airports, and a trolley strap lets a backpack ride on a suitcase. Cabin size rules differ by airline, so check the dimensions of the bag against your airline before you fly. Keep chargers and a power bank where you can reach them at security.
Laptop bags for company teams
When a company equips a whole team, the questions change: one model that fits every laptop in the rollout, a consistent look, and stock for new joiners. PRO TECHnology supplies DICOTA backpacks, cases, sleeves and rollers to UAE companies for laptop rollouts, onboarding and business travel; see its DICOTA corporate range for a comparison of business models and a team quotation.
About DICOTA
DICOTA takes its name from Die Computer Tasche, German for "the computer bag". It was founded in Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany, in 1992, is now headquartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, and makes bags and cases for laptops and tablets, from sleeves to backpacks and rollers. At EVO you will also find DICOTA's USB-C hubs and docks, which pair well with a slim laptop on the move.
Frequently asked questions
What size laptop bag do I need for a 15.6-inch laptop?
A bag labelled 15.6", 15–16" or 15–17.3". Check the bag's maximum device size against your laptop's width, depth and thickness, including any case.
Will a 13-inch MacBook fit in a 14-inch bag?
Usually yes, but it may slide around. A bag made for 12–13.3" or 13–14.1" devices, ideally with a strap or adjustable divider, holds it more securely.
Is a backpack or a laptop case better?
A backpack is better for commuting and carrying all day, because it spreads the weight over both shoulders. A slim case looks smarter for meetings and suits shorter trips with a lighter load.
What is the best laptop bag for travel?
A backpack roller or roller case with a padded laptop compartment, a trolley strap and an RFID-protected pocket, such as the DICOTA Backpack Roller PRO. Check your airline's cabin size rules before you fly.
What is an RFID-protected pocket?
A pocket lined to block radio signals, so contactless cards and passports inside cannot be read by a nearby scanner.
Do I need a laptop sleeve if I have a backpack?
Not if the backpack has a padded laptop compartment. A sleeve adds scratch protection and lets you carry the laptop on its own between meetings.
Where can I buy DICOTA laptop bags in the UAE?
Online at EVO, the online store of PRO TECHnology in Dubai, with delivery across the UAE. Companies can request a team quotation from PRO TECHnology.
Sources
- DICOTA company and range details as published by PRO TECHnology
- DICOTA product features as listed for each bag at EVO
EVO is the online store of PRO TECHnology, which supplies DICOTA in the UAE.