17” is a big laptop to be hauling around. Perhaps the solution would is to ditch the large laptop and consider either a smaller one (and home monitor) and/or VPN. I’ve done the laptop / year round bike commute thing for over 5 years. I’ve bike commutes to/from work year round over 15yrs and used both backpack and panniers. Each can be good or a PIA depending on how you pack, weight, distance, and ambient temps.
The larger the laptop the worse a backpack is because it doesn’t bend or flex and so doesn’t fit well to your back regardless of the backpack or packing methodology. Panniers have their own issues of course but with a 17” that’s likely a tall pannier but certainly doable.
Commuting also has its own risks so make sure she’s equipped with decent bike, gear, skills, and bike fit. I’d say during the summer easily 60% or more riders have poor bike fit setup, horrible spatial awareness or riding etiquette, and often suck at even using a bike lockup correctly. But that’s another rant coming soon.
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