Backpacks with form and function

Hi, can anyone recommend some backpacks that can protect a 15" laptop and don't have that typical "this is an ugly laptop bag posing as a backpack" look?

Do they make them water resistant? (Just in case I get caught out in the rain with it.)

 

I'd recommend Sumdex, Mobile Edge and Tom Bihn. Depends on your budget. You might check ebags to see the types of stlyes available.

 

hey dtarin, i've been searching, browsing far and wide for just this thing. Best bag that i've found that doesn't scream "geek" is the North Face Recon. Check it out. Fits my DV4000 perfectly and snug. Since mine's a 15.4" yours should definately fit. But always check it out at the store and try it on before you buy it. Recon goes for about $65.00 right now at www.mountainsports.com

i believe if you use shopzilla to search for it, you'll find the direct link. best price also if you want this pack so far i've seen.

 

look at the Sumdex MT Speed Pac Plus

 

I was looking for exactly the same thing as dtrain. I went with a tombihn brainbag backpack and one of thier monolith notebook sleeves. The bag is a big one that can hold tones of stuff and most important it doesn't scream "I shop for backpacks at staples!". The monolith sleeve is not one of those ultra slim sleeves, it has lots of padding to it and its reinforced with plastic. It adds enough protection that I could drop my notebook from 4 feet or so and I know it'd be fine. It also allows you to fill your backup up with a bunch of binders and books and still leave your notebook protected.

check out www.tombihn.com to look at the monolith and the brainbag. Also shaggymac.com sells a great little microfiber cloth thing to protect your screen from your keyboard when your notebook is closed.

 

Ok, so I bought a bag now. A number of people where I work had great praise for both Victorinox and TUMI bags. I'm not a big brand shopper but figured I'd check them out anyway. I went to a local mall that happened to have stores that stocked bags from both companies and I was rather impressed with the quality of the bags from both brands.

In the end I ended up with a TUMI T-Tech Bethune bag. It has room for everything you can carry with you and the pockets are well placed to give you even weight distribution of items. The black one looks quite professional so it's perfect for taking to work.

The only issue with the bag is that it is a bit bulky, but considering how much stuff I can fit into it I don't mind. It may not be good to use for a carry-on on an aircraft but since I don't travel for work, the bulk wasn't a concern.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

 

Does the Tumi bag have a large capacity for books? Have a small laptop, but need a lot of room for books....looks spacious, but the measurement is only 5.5 inches deep...

 

unlesss you at school, carrying a backpack is gonna make you look nerdy no matter what, unless its a hiking backpack then you just look like a hiking geek.