looking for a backpack or sling for college student

so Im in college studying to be an engineer. I purchased a new macbook and am looking for something to hold my laptop and keep it secure while holding a plentiful amount of books/folders/notebooks etc.

situation: I will have a few classes running back-to-back meaning I might have to carry two classes worth of books and stuff. so perhaps 2 books and 2 binders [+/-] I'm not sure if ill always be carrying the text books and im not sure if theres any other class related materials i might be carrying.

Criteria:

price: under $100 seems good

Looks: doesn't really matter. I like black especially since everything i have is black (car, laptop, mp3 player, etc.. i like to keep it neat =) -- ), definitely dont want anything to funky looking with very bright colors things like that.

Functionality: definitely want something thatll keep my macbook safe, secure, and as always clean. Most often they have the laptop in its own compartment. But ill also need compartments for my books/notebooks/etc. Ill also want something to hold my cables/chargers/usb cables/ and other wires. Another thing to hold Pens, pencils, planners, things of that nature, and also a side handle for a water bottle for walking to class. And probably something to hold my mp3 player [iriver clix gen 2] a hole for the headphones to come out would be nice to listen on the go but not a necessity.

Durability/comfort: I want something that'll definitely be comfortable and fairly lightweight. Need it to be durable on the bottom and protected from light rain perhaps because i do catch myself without an umbrella when it rains but im never out for too long to get drenched.

after much debate over either messenger/breifcase/backpack or sling, it came down to the last two. Messenger bags dont seem to hold as much stuff as i need to and it seems it would get uncomfortable having all the weight laying on one shoulder at a time. Im not too sure, but from what ive seen slings dont seem to have a lot of room in their compartment unless you can find one that does. so for now it really seems like a backpack is for me.

what are your suggestions?
this is what ive dug up from browsing through the sticky.

"targus global executive backpack"
--- http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2547
seems like the cheapest and most on-target choice for me. plenty of room and definitely rugged and durable.

"kensington contour notebook backpack"
--- http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2425
a little more stylish but seems like it has less storage space. nice feature is the lumbar panel.

"Booq mamba pack"
--- http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.285/.f?leadsource=BAGFINDERCAMP
Thought this was very nice and cool looking. very stylish, and looks like it has plenty of room for my stuff. and did i mention it looks sexy as hell. downside: pretty high on the price

THANKS SO MUCH GUYS! help me out pleassee

 

i like the slappa matrix for a backpack and the solo urban messenger myself they both offer a nice soft interior material not that (imo) garbage nylon stuff. i have and use both and i love the solo bag.. you will seriously be pretty shocked how much padding is in the solo.. and there is a lot of room in both the messenger and the backpack

http://www.solocases.com/col.aspx?id=4

look at buy.com for the best solo prices i have found and use google checkout to save an extra 10$ ...

the slappa is really a nice backpack also and has a LOT of room you can actually store 2 17" notebooks in it and yes i have tried it. nice soft fleece inside and its water repellent see the review in that section by kevin

also check out the slappa aura.. huge for a messenger bag: http://www.slappa.com/aura-black-la...8ae9e2acfca6c74b.e3eTaxePaNqNe34Pa38Ta38Lbh50

and the matrix: http://www.slappa.com/velocity-matrix-laptop-backpack?sc=2&category=654

 

I feel like a salesman for North Face and O2GearShop, but go with the North Face Surge and buy it from the O2GearShop, it's about $80.

 

Consider the Samsonite L35/L45 notebook bags.

 

thanks soo much.. i am trying to stay away from messenger bags though. but those solo bags look great. i might consider the backpack one, but im not sure about the price doesnt list it there ill chk online.

 

SOLO have nice bags but they are in the expensive side, though.

 

You should check out stm bags http://www.stmbags.com.au/small-evolution-specifications.php. They fit the 13" macbook perfectly on the top pack so the books don't lean on the laptop like regular backpacks. It's also pretty water resistant and there's an easy little "poncho" type thing you can whip out if it's pouring outside.