I have the Lighthouse bag in green from Lands End. I love it. It is small, very light and fits everything I need (a few books, magazines, laptop & peripherals) and still lets me look young and keep me from having back pain.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/Lighthous...RCH=PAGE_66240

I'm looking at buying a Booq Powersleeve for my 17" laptop, but the shipping charges to Hawaii are rather steep. (I will be visiting Hawaii for 3 days later this month from Singapore and Booq bags are much cheaper in the US than in Asia).

Does anyone know if there is a retailer in Hawaii who might have these bags?

(I searched high and low but can't find any online! It's a bit of a long shot, but hey, you never know :))

After reading the recommendations here and doing some surfing online, I purchased a Tom Bihn "brain bag" to replace my shot-to-heck six year old Tumi bag. The combination of the bag, the "brain cell' for my laptop, the "freudian slip" paper organizer for the second pocket, and the "snake charmer" cable bag cost $267 shipped. What I liked about it is that the laptop and cable accessories fit into their Zephyr briefcase for trips when I do not want to show up someplace with a backpack. So for $425 total, I can have both types of bags and switch off as needed.

My first impression is that this thing is HUGE. It's a good 2" taller than my Tumi, and it's expandable. I can fit my CPAP unit (but not the tubing) in there on top of the laptop, which means it's now much easier for me to pack my 22" Kirkland rollaboard. There are a few more straps than I'd like for a work backpack, and I need to figure out how to tie them up.

I came to this board for info prior to purchasing the Loewpro compudaypack. It holds a 15.1" notebook; room for paper files; compartment for chargers etc. The bottom of the bag has several small compartments to hold anything from DSLR camera, lenses, power cords etc...
Been traveling with it on dozen trips. Like it a lot. It also fits under airline seat.

I second that. I have a Brain Bag that I use everyday and all over the world. It's been great, for carrying my various stuff and the occasional change of clothes when warranted

I have a Wenger Maxxum which I am quite happy with. It was a reasonably good deal ($50.01 including DHL shipping, bought it from Dell Accessories).

The backpack is very comfortable and has a large carrying capacity. It fits under most airline seats if not stuff to the brim.

A question for Brain Bag users about the Brain Bag - any chance it would fit a small laptop in the small Brain Cell *and* a LowePro Nova 2 camera bag? I just haven't been able to find out how deep the main compartment is, which is slightly annoying! I love everything I've read about it, though, and suspending the laptop at the top and having the camera down the bottom seems like an excellent way to carry both safely.

Thanks!

Audrey