Recommendations on laptop backpack
 

Seeking a new laptop backpack. This would typically used for air travel in addition to a 20" rolling suitcase. Need recommendations on something with the following features:

1. Fits 13" macbook air (should be no problem), 10" ipad, 7" kindle, larger headphones in case (currently Sennheiser HD280), and various charges/wires. Then incidentals like wallet, keys, sunglasses. Ideally would have an outer pocket for the later.
2. TSA checkpoint friendly
3. High-contrast interior. Love the orange on Ebags offerings. But, will settle for a light gray or most colors other than black.
4. Smallish. Under 40 linear inches would be great.
5. Lots of built-in pockets
6. Loop in rear for putting on top of my rolling suitcase

Leading candidates so far are TravelPro Crew 9, Brenthaven Metrolite, and Everki Flight. Any other suggestions? I wish Ebags would just make one of their bags checkpoint-friendly.

The Eagle Creek Conor and Heritage Checkpoint backpacks fit all of your requirements. I really like my Conor.

I have a Dicota BacPac and they are great, lightweight yet very secure and it has places for your ipad and ipod as well

My husband has a North Face Surge that he loves. It doesn't look very big, but he is able to fit his Macbook Pro, mini Ipad, and several days worth of clothes in there along with his wallet, keys, notebook, sunglasses, iPod, iPhone, etc. I was pretty surprised by how much he was able to fit into it, considering how compact and light it is when it's empty.

He has an all-black one, so I can't speak for the interior color of the different colored ones. North Face is a pretty reliable brand and has durable products. Check it out:
http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/...ml?from=subCat

I like the SwissGear Travel Gear ScanSmart Backpack 1900. Lots of pockets and cubbies for stuff and the laptop compartment zips open on 3 sides so you don't have to remove it for TSA. Yes, its black, but the interior is gray.

http://www.ebags.com/product/swissge...uctid=10111179

+1 - Very satisfied

OP here. I wound up with the Brenthaven Metrolite. Very satisfied. Extremely light, small enough to fit all my stuff, high quality construction.

Only negative thus far is the lack of a water bottle pocket.

I've got the Briggs and Riley KPC308. Much more money than the ones you are looking at, so it may not makes sense for you. That said, it meets your criteria very well, and should last just about forever. Black outside, light grey inside.

Here's the FT thread on it.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-backpack.html

Love the Metrolite
 

I have the Brenthaven Metrolite BP XF and I love it. It is very slim, yet I can fit everything I carry on it (mbp 15", iPad, Kindle, Beats headphones, accessories). I particularly like the front pocket for storing AC cords and cables, and the side pockets for storing boarding passes and passport. I travel internationally once a month and I don't have to take my laptop out of the bag thanks to its TSA-friendly design.

I've used it daily for almost 6 months and there's not a single sign of wear or tear.