Need laptop backpack

Things I am looking for:

camping backpack look, but shorter than 3 feet (maybe like 2.5 feet)
has compartment for laptop (asus z63a)
has side slot for a 1 liter nalgene bottle
nicely padded straps
can hold binders/textbook, perferably 1 binder, and at least 2 1-inch text

but if the price is good for just a regular camping backpack, i can just get that and a sleeve for the laptop.

 

I think you'll be better off with a camping pack and perhaps a hard shell for the notie.

 

i got this great jansport that has a complete camping pack feel but isnt really tall has great padded back and straps and has a place for a water pouch and like that tube system dealie. and a notebook pocket. you should def check it out its like green h/o let me find a link

 

http://www.jansport.com/js_product_detail.php?cid=45&pid=TDM0

 

im wondering how a hard shell is different than a sleeve in terms of protection? or should i just find a backpack that will fit the carrying bag that came with my asus?

 

Phoo. Very limited options here. Assuming you want one that's well-organized, the first that comes to mind (that is readily available in America) is The Kelty Durham or Kelty Gigabyte (same pack, different name). You do have a few options, though.
-various packs from The North Face (e.g. Yavapai, Recon, and Borealis).
-I like the look of Osprey's new laptop packs.
-The Mountainsmith BC Explore

Conveniently, all but the Kelty can be found at www.summithut.com . Search for "laptop." The Kelty Durham is available here: http://www.mountainsports.com/MSmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=081370
The full line of North Face packs can be viewed here: http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms...egory.jsp?category=54&site=NA&subcategory=542

Best,
Howie

 

The other one that totally fits the bill is the Brainbag at www.tombihn.com . Its a great backpack, I use it, you can fit a 1L water bottle in one of the smaller pockets too. I use it with a tombihn monolith sleeve, its got quite a bit of padding and is plastic reinforced. And the backpack does not scream I'm carrying a laptop.

The only other backpacks I've been impressed with are the Northface ones, the Recon looks like a good size.

 

oh man i saw this camelbak i really like at coast mountain sport but it is $210can with 10% discount... which is still $170+tax, is it worth it to spend so much on a good backpack?

 

This was a laptop backpack - or a hiking daypack? Do you remember the manufacturer or the name of the model? It is extremely expensive as laptop backpacks go, but it's conceivable that it might be worth it. If you can tell me more about it, I could give you a more solid response.

Best,
Howie

 

camelbak honcho

i want something similar to that with the 3-feet-camppack style but not as tall

i dont mind just getting a daypack since laptop ones dont really come in the style i want

 

Wow. It's definitely pricey, and I wouldn't recommend it for school use, which is what I assume you need it for. It is a nice-looking pack, but I'll make two suggestions:
1) You can get it for $110 USD here:
http://store.yahoo.com/fulfillmentadventures/camelbak-honcho.html

2) If you're just getting a non-laptop backpack, you open up a much wider variety of options. Personally, I'm partial to Kelty, which offers a good number of packs:
Traditional daypacks: http://www.kelty.com/Kelty/index.cfm?fuseaction=Packs.ShowThumbnail&type=pack&categoryID=51
Packs designed for water bladders: http://www.kelty.com/Kelty/index.cfm?fuseaction=Packs.ShowThumbnail&type=pack&categoryID=52
Day/hiking packs: http://www.kelty.com/Kelty/index.cfm?fuseaction=Packs.ShowProduct&type=pack&ID=179

Since you're in Canada, consider buying something from MEC, such as this (actually a laptop backpack):
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_...older_id=2534374302699713&bmUID=1139976071346

You probably want something between 1700 and 2100 cubic inches (28-34 liters).

Best,
Howie