The short version is that a good mix between the two doesn't exist if you want to use the backpack effectively for either item. So if you want a backpack that you can pull your camera out of quickly but still have easy access to your laptop you'll be hard pressed to find one that fits a 17" laptop.
I've searched myself for such a backpack before (looked at the CompuDayPack before - a companion to the CompuDay Photo - stay well clear) and the my conclusion is that how you use a laptop and how you use a camera are too disparate for one bag. The best you can hope for is a storage bag (basically luggage) that stores both.
To solve this issue I usually go for a laptop backpack big enough to hold a smaller camera bag that I can take out when needed. As others will point out, the weight will be a serious issue if you're doing a day's travel so your mileage may vary.
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The short version is that a good mix between the two doesn't exist if you want to use the backpack effectively for either item. So if you want a backpack that you can pull your camera out of quickly but still have easy access to your laptop you'll be hard pressed to find one that fits a 17" laptop. I've searched myself for such a backpack before (looked at the CompuDayPack before - a companion to the CompuDay Photo - stay well clear) and the my conclusion is that how you use a laptop and how you use a camera are too disparate for one bag. The best you can hope for is a storage bag (basically luggage) that stores both. To solve this issue I usually go for a laptop backpack big enough to hold a smaller camera bag that I can take out when needed. As others will point out, the weight will be a serious issue if you're doing a day's travel so your mileage may vary.