Fix a laptop that does not fit the bag, laptop too thick, compartment too narrow, zipper not closing, or bag too small for your screen size. Also covers what to do when the bag purchased is the wrong
Work through these in order, the most common causes come first.
"Fits 15-inch laptops" tells you almost nothing useful.
Laptop screen size is the diagonal measurement of the display.
Two laptops with 15-inch screens can differ by 2-4 cm in actual width depending on the manufacturer's bezel design.
A 15-inch Razer Blade is noticeably wider than a 15-inch MacBook Pro with a smaller bezel.
The dimension that actually matters for bag fit is width and thickness: Width: measure your laptop from the left edge to the right edge, not the screen diagonal.
Zipper closes with difficulty, laptop barely fits: the bag is one size too small by thickness.
Do not force it, forced zippers on laptop bags separate at the teeth and are not repairable.
Laptop fits but shifts in the compartment: the bag is too large for the laptop.
Add a fitted sleeve inside the compartment to snug the fit.
Cover opens but laptop cannot enter the sleeve: insertion technique issue, try straight-in, screen toward padded wall, no twisting.
If the laptop will not fit after working through the fixes: Most online retailers allow 30-day returns on bags in original condition.
Before reordering: write down the laptop's exact width, depth, and thickness in millimeters.
Use these dimensions, not the screen size, when comparing to the next bag's specifications.
Search for the specific bag model plus your exact laptop model to find user reports confirming fit.
For users who frequently buy bags for specific laptop models: Peak Design and Tom Bihn list specific laptop model compatibility in their product pages.
Our picks
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports.
Samsonite
A roomy 34-liter work backpack that fits 11 to 17-inch laptops, with a TSA-friendly lock option.
Samsonite
A large backpack with a padded 17-inch laptop sleeve, tablet pocket and luggage pass-through.
FAQ
Screen size advertised on bags is a guideline, not a guarantee. The 15-inch designation means the bag was designed for a typical 15-inch laptop, but laptop widths vary by manufacturer, a 15-inch Razer Blade is 3 cm wider than a 15-inch MacBook Pro. Additionally, the bag may list the opening size rather than the interior compartment depth, making laptops with thick lids appear not to fit. Measure your laptop and compare to the bag's stated compartment dimensions.
Yes, with extra room. The 13-inch laptop will fit in the 15-inch compartment with approximately 2-3 cm of gap on each side. This is fine for carry but the laptop may shift in the compartment. A snug-fitting sleeve for the laptop inside the compartment eliminates the shifting problem.
A 17-inch laptop is approximately 2-4 cm wider than a 16-inch laptop and will not fit in a 16-inch compartment. The compartment would need to be explicitly sized for 17 inches. Few standard laptop bags accommodate 17-inch laptops, search specifically for bags sized for 17 or 17.3-inch laptops.
If the laptop fits the opening but the zipper will not pull fully closed: the laptop is near the compartment's thickness limit. Try removing any protective case from the laptop, even a 2mm rubber case can be the difference between fitting and not fitting. If the laptop without a case still will not allow the zipper to close without force: the bag is too small. Do not force the zipper.
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