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You folks are all missing the boat: http://www.boblbee.com/jsp/public/general/homepage .jsp

I thought they would mention Boblbee's hardshell backpacks. They are incredibly tough and have an interesting design, both in the technical and the looks departments.

http://www.boblbee.com/

They have hard shells with special pocketed inserts for all of your goodies. I use my for my laptop and its accessories. Plus the straps and back of the bag are very comfortable. And they fit nicely under the seat in most airplanes.

This is approximately the one I have. I think they discontinued my particular finish.

http://www.boblbee.com/

They have hard shells with special pocketed inserts for all of your goodies. I use my for my laptop and its accessories. Plus the straps and back of the bag are very comfortable. And they fit nicely under the seat in most airplanes.

This is approximately the one I have. I think they discontinued my particular finish.

Axio and Boblbee are the two that come to mind. I have a Boblbee Metropolis and I *love* it, although it does get a lot of "what the hell is that thing?" comments. The Axio packs are rather less weird-looking, but still obviously aren't normal backpacks.

I got my Metropolis on closeout at an outdoor outfitter store (think local mom-n-pop version of REI) for about $120. Retail on that pack is somewhere around $200, I think, but IMO it's still worth it. My biggest complaint is that the pack is fairly small, so you can carry a laptop, your power adapter, an Ethernet cable, and a notebook or two, but not much else. I wouldn't want to have it as my *only* backpack, but it works fairly well as my only computer case.

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• It's hardcase. I slipped on ice with my Boblbee on with a laptop inside and landed on my back and nothing happened. I've wrecked a laptop and damaged other things when using a soft backpack but the Peugeot slamming into me on my bicycle could also have something to do with it.
  
• They (Boblbee) have accessories, like a computer equipment organizer insert.
  
• It's comfortable and ergonomic, with cushioning and molding, not just a bag with two shoulder straps. It's built, not just sown together.
  
• Looks really cool. (I've seen it in Dark Angel and Charlie's Angels)
  

• It's hardcase. I slipped on ice with my Boblbee on with a laptop inside and landed on my back and nothing happened. I've wrecked a laptop and damaged other things when using a soft backpack but the Peugeot slamming into me on my bicycle could also have something to do with it.
  
• They (Boblbee) have accessories, like a computer equipment organizer insert.
  
• It's comfortable and ergonomic, with cushioning and molding, not just a bag with two shoulder straps. It's built, not just sown together.
  
• Looks really cool. (I've seen it in Dark Angel and Charlie's Angels)
  

The Boblbee backpack series is pretty nice and has a tough frame around it. I don't have one, but was impressed by them (except for the price) at Defcon earlier this year.

I have a http://www.boblbee.com/ Boblbee Megalopolis Executive. It easily fits the 15" powerbook, and my 17" fits but not perfectly because the velcro strap can't reach around it. (their website says use IE but it mostly works in firefox and mozilla, and safari...)

This backpack is hardshell, with really nice padded straps and the part that sits on your back is nicely padded. There is also a lumba rsupport on the backpack which is really nice for walking. If you expect to get any benefit out of the lumbar, you will want the waist strap.

The only drawback to this backpack is the price, at $140 (I got mine from a discounr retailer,) it is pricey.

Another nice thing about these is they are very uncommon and you do get looks and comments if you are into that sort of thing. mine's matte black but I imagine you'd get a lot more comments with the chrome one!

There are also a number of accessories that go with it, including an overnight organizer with space for a change of clothes, etc.

A really great backpack.

2) HEDGREN with some nice neoprene stiff shell packs.

More then 600 people replied to this question and nobody posted the best 2 brands for laptopbags. Shame on all of you =) So up to the real shit:
Boblbee
Crumpler