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Years ago - so many years that I don't remember exactly, must have been around 2000 - I got a laptop backpack from Spire. I used it for daily commutes, travelling all across Europe, and generally carrying my laptop everywhere. It still looks like new (well, like new but *dirty*).

These bags are so tough I was afraid the company was going out of business, they can't have that much of repeat buys that way. Really recommended. They have *huge* bags too.

I'm *very* pleased with the Spire products:

http://www.spireusa.com/

They're great for use, and abuse. I've rolled over it several times rollerblading, with the laptop still on, and so on. Never any problems. I've had mine for 3-4 years now, and while it is showing slight wear, it seems to be good for another 3-4 years without a problem.

You should peek around their site, and pay attention to the details, like the laptop room not being all the way against your back, so it's a very comfortable fit.

Spire has some awesome and comfortable bags... I have the Volt XL and love it, it has lasted me for a couple of years so far through college and will probably last a lot longer...

http://www.spireusa.com/

Exactly.

I'm currently a student at Virginia Tech and I object to the common perception in the submission that most college students use laptops in class. This couldn't be farther from the truth--at least at VT. In huge lecture halls filled with hundreds of students, you can count the laptops on one (maybe two) hands. They're just not practical enough. It doesn't matter how fast you can type if the professor is making a diagram. You may save some paper not printing out the presentation the professor gives by using a laptop, but then you can't make notes next to or on the slides like you otherwise could. This becomes a problem in classes where the professor posts incomplete notes (to encourage attendance).

Worst of all, with wireless internet access becoming common on campuses, half of the students I see with laptops aren't typing notes but typing on AIM or browsing the internet. It's a huge distraction. You'd probably get more out of sleeping in the class than tooling around on your computer--at least sleeping you might be listening sub-consciously or something.

I'm not arguing that most students don't have laptops, though. That's not the case at all. Most do. But their laptops just sit there on a desk somewhere in place of where a desktop should be--only with none of the cost/upgrade benefits. That being said, laptops are very handy. I'm one of the few students who brings one on campus. I mainly use it to browse the internet or work on assignments in between classes. There is the occasional class where the professor's style works well with typing out the notes--these are few and far between.

So how do you get the benefits of both? It's very simple--buy a cheap laptop (don't be too cheap--make sure it at least has wireless!), use openoffice.org (or even Linux if your kid is comfortable with that) on it, and then get a good desktop computer with Windows XP (or Mac OS X) and Microsoft Office (it sucks, but some classes require this). In class, the most computationally intensive things should be: loading adobe .pdf files, browsing the course website, or using a text editing program. None of these require any meaty hardware--so why pay for it?

Save your money. Use it to buy a better desktop if your kid is into computers. If not, spend it on something they'll actually use; at least then it will be appreciated. And for God's sakes, don't get a laptop bag! Those things get stolen all the time and they can't hold a college-level amount of books/supplies. Instead, get a backpack that has a laptop slot. I have a Spire USA one (which has a hard shell around a softer pocket, for better protection), and I swear by it. Sure, it is more expensive, but I have yet to crack my screen (which, I can assure you is not covered in your extended warrenty), despite my bad habit of throwing my bookbag around.

-Grym

This subject has already been covered about a month ago here. Personally I've been using an older version of this bag for about 5 years. I've recently considered purchasing a Crumpler bag. I know they have several bags capable of carrying more than 1 laptop, or a camera and a laptop. Specifically, look for Brian's Hot Tub. Another user reported toting 3 laptops in this one!

My wife purchased a laptop backpack from Spire USA (http://www.spireusa.com/) and it's possibly the best laptop backpack I've seen. She's had it for five years now, and it's held up exceedingly well.

Chalk me up as another very satisfied customer. I've used my Spire backpack to shuttle my PowerBook and various other gadgets on various travels (Germany, India, Australia).

I purchased mine in 1997 and it's still going strong. It's also very comfortable on my shoulders, especially during hikes and other long distance walks (unlike most backpacks, it's shape is specially contoured to one's back).

Due to its outstanding quality, I purchased another one for my sister for her laptop. Here's the link in case you want to learn more about their products.

Check out my tech toon!

http://www.spireusa.com/
I bought a bag of them (the Zoom) and it has a laptop compartment with extra padding that can be removed and used as a laptop sleeve with its own handle. I have nothing but praise for these bags - you feed in your laptop model and it tells you which pouch will best fit the laptop. My laptop survived a 6ft drop from a train overhead luggage rack (pausing to bounce off my head:-( ) and it was unharmed. Their bags don't scream LAPTOP either. But at $120, probably a bit more than you want to spend though.

I've purchased two Spire bags, and recommend them fully. The one in particular that will interest you is the Meta http://spireusa.com/products/ME5.html It's unfortunately above the budget that you specified, but its still worth a look. They also have other bags closer to your range, which are slightly smaller in size as well.

The Meta that I have is about four years old, and has been beaten, dragged, dropped and abused throughout the world. I bought it specifically because it met worldwide carry on requirements for airline and rail, had room for a 15" powerbook and enough clothes for a week. Its still in great shape and will probably last me another half decade. It has made my travels an order of magnitude easier, limiting the number of bags I've had to carry.

The new version looks a bit larger, and with more internal pockets, and more friendly design. They're even made in the USA (Boulder, CO) and don't look like a laptop backpack. I also have an Endo http://spireusa.com/products/EN3.html which I use every day, when I'm not traveling, and have the same praise for. These bags are worth the money, and I'd buy another in a second.

Seriously consider not being cheap about getting a good bag, it will last you many more years than your laptop. The spire's even have different sized sleeves you can get so that your laptop will fit snugly, and so you don't have to buy a new pack if you get a new computer. Hopefully this gets above the 0 level, even though it's been posted so late.

I'm not related to the Spire company, just an overly satisfied customer who hopes they're still in business if I need another bag!

I've purchased two Spire bags, and recommend them fully. The one in particular that will interest you is the Meta http://spireusa.com/products/ME5.html It's unfortunately above the budget that you specified, but its still worth a look. They also have other bags closer to your range, which are slightly smaller in size as well.

The Meta that I have is about four years old, and has been beaten, dragged, dropped and abused throughout the world. I bought it specifically because it met worldwide carry on requirements for airline and rail, had room for a 15" powerbook and enough clothes for a week. Its still in great shape and will probably last me another half decade. It has made my travels an order of magnitude easier, limiting the number of bags I've had to carry.

The new version looks a bit larger, and with more internal pockets, and more friendly design. They're even made in the USA (Boulder, CO) and don't look like a laptop backpack. I also have an Endo http://spireusa.com/products/EN3.html which I use every day, when I'm not traveling, and have the same praise for. These bags are worth the money, and I'd buy another in a second.

Seriously consider not being cheap about getting a good bag, it will last you many more years than your laptop. The spire's even have different sized sleeves you can get so that your laptop will fit snugly, and so you don't have to buy a new pack if you get a new computer. Hopefully this gets above the 0 level, even though it's been posted so late.

I'm not related to the Spire company, just an overly satisfied customer who hopes they're still in business if I need another bag!

spire bags are the way to go.

Suckers are bomb proof ... I lugged my laptop around when I was in the Peace Corps over in Ghana for 2 years ... I had a carabiner clipped to one of the metal loops on it ... I hooked it into the luggage rack on the top of many a bush taxi when there wasn't space enough in there cuz we were packed full of people ... did fine.

Found my self caught up in a deluge a few times, she kept my laptop dry too .. it's lined with some vinyl or whatever on the inside ... the bag looks wet, the inside was fine ... good thing cuz it kept my clothes dry as well .. the laptop also has an extra padding sleeve ...

I have the old version of this meta bag ... needed a bigger bag so I can pack some other shit in there and not just my cpu. Really ... I am very happy with it, still ... I've had it for 4 years so far and still use it most every day .. even as a normal bag when I don't need to lug the powerbook around.

I think I paid $180 for it ... worth every penny, really.

-steve

spire bags are the way to go.

Suckers are bomb proof ... I lugged my laptop around when I was in the Peace Corps over in Ghana for 2 years ... I had a carabiner clipped to one of the metal loops on it ... I hooked it into the luggage rack on the top of many a bush taxi when there wasn't space enough in there cuz we were packed full of people ... did fine.

Found my self caught up in a deluge a few times, she kept my laptop dry too .. it's lined with some vinyl or whatever on the inside ... the bag looks wet, the inside was fine ... good thing cuz it kept my clothes dry as well .. the laptop also has an extra padding sleeve ...

I have the old version of this meta bag ... needed a bigger bag so I can pack some other shit in there and not just my cpu. Really ... I am very happy with it, still ... I've had it for 4 years so far and still use it most every day .. even as a normal bag when I don't need to lug the powerbook around.

I think I paid $180 for it ... worth every penny, really.

-steve

I've taken a notebook around the world and across the US many times over with a bag from Spire.
Highly recommended, and it can be used as a regular back. And you don't look like a dork carrying it (if that were to bother you)
http://www.spireusa.com/

Expensive but the best you're going to find: Spire USA

SpireUSA makes great bags http://www.spireusa.com/

If you really want to go all out, get a computer carrying case that doesn't really look like a computer carrying case at all (for example, one that looks like a knapsack). SpireUSA, for example, has some decent options.

Judging from the story ("WWDC giveaway..." or something) the one that broke down was exactly such a Kensington Saddlebag. Those WWDC-giveaway bags are Kensington Saddlebags with Apple lettering. Myself I had the same problem. The Saddlebag is nice for its different use cases: Backpack, shoulderstrap, carry-in-hand. But using it every day as a bagpack made the shoulder straps rip out. It's just not tough enough.

That was more then two years ago. Then I bought a bagpack from spire. Still looks like new and I travel 3 hours on different trains with it every workday. Normal operation when arriving somewhere is to drop the pack on the floor. I don't think like there is a laptop in there anymore. It won't break. I'm on the second laptop in that bagpack now and the bag will likely survive a couple of generations of laptops more.

I have been exceedingly happy with my laptop backpack from Spire. It's Stylish, rugged, and simple. What more could I ask for?

To be clear, a new buckle, not a new bag. :-D

And here's a better link.

To add to the chorus of Spire Lovers, I love their laptop bags because of the way they do their sizing.

They have 5 different laptop bag sizes with matching "shells." that provide rigidity from other things whacking them. I have the Volt XL and it kicks ass.

This is the second one I have bought from them - the first one lasted me a long time but was ultimately too small.

I briefly used a Timbuku but it is now gathering dust. Why? Two versus one shoulder straps - the single strap hurts too much over the long haul.

These laptop bags are great comfort for long hauls. I sometimes bike to work as well as am an ergo-snob, and I tried out Tumis, Jansport, and slews of other laptop bags but when it came for comfort, I went back to Spire.

5 Star Rating.

I really, really like the stuff at spire. I use one of their backpacks and have no complaints.

http://spireusa.com/

Ditto here. My Spire has been traveling all over with me for 2.5 years and hardly shows any wear. It's been the best bag I've ever had - has had a lot of abuse thrown at it and taken it in stride.

I'll be going back to Spire if this one ever wears out.... :-)

In the past, I've used LOTS of bags; Spire makes some wonderful bags, and I used the heck out of an Endo with a previous employer.

I bought a Port bag for my TiBook when I actually cared about the "work appearance"; it's a sharp looking bag, and Port goes to great lengths with their air-suspension system. Heck, when I bought my first PowerBook, I bought the Apple-branded Port case to go with it!

I'd still recommend any of these cases, but most highly recommend Booq's bags.

In the past, I've used LOTS of bags; Spire makes some wonderful bags, and I used the heck out of an Endo with a previous employer.

I bought a Port bag for my TiBook when I actually cared about the "work appearance"; it's a sharp looking bag, and Port goes to great lengths with their air-suspension system. Heck, when I bought my first PowerBook, I bought the Apple-branded Port case to go with it!

I'd still recommend any of these cases, but most highly recommend Booq's bags.

As an owner of a Spire, I couldn't agree more. This pack has lasted me 6 years, still looks great, with nary a single hanging thread or broken zipper through more airports than I can remember, including Shanghai and South Africa, and I can tell you without a doubt that this is the best backpack and laptop case you will ever own.

As a bonus, and as has been mentioned elsewhere in this thread, it doesn't look like a laptop case - a huge plus when traveling.

Just my opinion obviously, but if I ever need another laptop bag, I'll never buy anything else.

- a satisifed customer

Spire USA

here is a nice piece of kit I've been really happy with

Spire U.S.A.

Check out Spire USA. They make killer packs, durable as hell with cordura and other quality fabrics. Mine has a built-in padded sleave for the laptop and tons of other cool features. Plus it's bomber and looks good. I've used mine for years and it still looks new-ish.

I also own a case from Spire and love it. Since I already own a backpack, I got the Boot, which is just a little cover thingy that goes inside my backpack. When my current backpack wears out, I'll probably get a new one from Spire, but that's still a while yet. (For me, worn out == holes in it so big that things fall out). FWIW, my laptop is a Sony PCG-F270, which is not one of the ultratiny ones, and it fits quite nicely in the case.

Check out Spire. These bags are built to take anything, and they look great too. I bought an Endo, which is a smallish courier style bag. It can be worn duffle style or across the back. There is a seperate compartment inside that holds even smaller laptops tight. I've knocked it off a table and the laptop didn't feel a thing.

It just came in today and I've just finished installing linux (rh6.1). Not a single problem thanks to others who have done it on similar models.

This is my first portable system and I'm quite happy with it. I've never really been interested in portables since to me, the compromises were just too great. Sure, there are the so called desktop replacements but these things are just too damned heavy. For me, anything over 4lbs travel weight is *not* portable.

Good:
- lightweight (3.5lbs)
- thin (1"")
- decent screen size

Bad:
- integrated modem is of the winmodem variety (ugh!) Are winmodems cheaper? Is that why oems don't put in a real modem? Bottom line is I had to fork over more cash for a 3com pc card modem.
- integrated ethernet requires a dongle (one more thing to lose)
- battery life is kind of crappy (a little over an hour with power management). There's a 4 hour battery available but it's $399!!

Finally, I got a Zoom backpack from Spire instead of the traditional briefcase type bags. Very cool and practical.

Now, I need to save up for an Aibo...

I wish I had thought of asking /. When I was looking... it might have made things easier.

--Sultin

I wish I had thought of asking /. When I was looking... it might have made things easier.

--Sultin

I wish I had thought of asking /. When I was looking... it might have made things easier.

--Sultin

If I suddenly had the need, I would not hesitate to buy another backpack from Spire.