STM bags are well built, well padded with good all around protection, typically "thicker" foam sized closely to the laptop sizes (XS,S,M,L & XL) - I have 2 slim ones & they are good - room for charges, cables, accessories, tablet & smartphone with space for folders & pens, etc. except that I don't use them too often these days ... stuffed it carefully & I can put my wallet, BP & LED flashlight & keys in there too, going thru checkpoints & security screening, etc. Except, there's no space left for a packing cube, not even a slim or half-size ones - a change of clothing overnight/next day and the 3-1-1 bag.

Timbuk2 has some good messenger & laptop bags too, lifetime warranty & excellent customer service - check them online as some of the newest ones are pretty business like if you choose the color/trim setup carefully - buy it when it's on sale (sometimes, you can find VG deals on eBay - brand new)

For ground or local travel, I still sometimes use my 20+ years old Coach Beekman leather briefcase, it's a classic & laptop/sleeve dropped right in, accessories pouch & another slim pouch help keep other contents together, with room for folders & tablets, etc. Otherwise, I prefer to use one in the vertical format, easily to walk down those aisles and even while riding trains & buses, etc.

One of my favorite is eBags eTech 2.0 Macroloader Backpack - it's "bigger" or deeper than the one mentioned above "Downloader" Backpack, with a lockable & separate zippered compartment for laptops up to 17" - main compartment sized for a EC medium packing cube (1 - 2 nights of clothing essentials) plus accessory pouches, etc. - currently not available (discontinued or a newer one coming soon ???) http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/e...ackpack/245854 - paid less than $50 shipped on a sale. Shoulder straps could be a little wider and the side pocket for the water bottle isn't as deep as it should/need to be ... I use it to keep my in-ear headset, eye shades & charger/cables for quick access.

Also have High Sierra, SwissGear & NorthFace backpacks in the collection - lots of zippered pockets, hooks & straps - nice & fancy in looks but, more often than not - I rather stick with a slim & trim one and keeping most of them into a few "compartments". Two of them used to pack standby "emergency" travel gears - 1 in the house & 2nd. one always in the SUV.

Lay out all the contents you plan to carry & take on trips, and try to visualize how everything will fit and get packed into your "ideal" laptop bag - then, start shopping around, maybe go checkout your nearest luggage store in person. Happy shopping !