Check macworld.com, they normally have regular updates on nice bags and sleeves. Also, I remember a thread that talked about bags for macs here...do a search and see what comes up.

I personally use a nice sleeve that I can then put into any a number of 'bags', including generic backpack, tumi carry-on, brenthaven bag, etc. etc. Bags are very personal and everyone has their own favorites.

Grats on your new toy.

As far as bags go I strongly recommend Tom Bihn. As his motto says "NO CHEAP STUFF" but they are amazingly well made and last literally for a decade or more. You buy the bag and a separate sleeve sized for your specific computer. He has both backpacks and messenger style bags.

http://www.tombihn.com/

Some accessories are just better left to other manufacturers, although years ago I did get (as a mail-in promo) a laptop bag with an Apple logo on it for my PowerBook 520c. It was a pretty good bag. I sold it separately from the laptop, got a lot more that way. ;)

Carrying bags are pretty personal choices as far as regular briefcase-like bag vs backpack vs messenger vs sleeve inside an existing bag. They do carry bags at the Apple Store, although perhaps not too many. Surely they didn't answer your query about bags as no, Apple doesn't make them, and leave it at that. Would be pretty stupid, and if you get that kind of service from that store location you should definitely feed it back to Apple as they do care about having a reputation for good service there.

I generally like Eagle Creek stuff, but I have to say it worries me that it's designed for 12-17" laptops. Too much size variation. I like having a bag designed precisely for the particular laptop size. I have a Brenthaven messenger bag for my MacBook Pro: http://www.brenthaven.com/core-protection-levels.html But apparently messenger bags are on hiatus for a couple months while they redesign. These may be worth a look in the 13.3 inch size http://www.brenthaven.com/catalog-sleeves.html Just look at the drop test comparison. http://www.brenthaven.com/core-protection-levels.html I carry mine back and forth to work every day, tossing it in my car (well, not tossing it, but not handling it gingerly), slinging it over my shoulder, etc. and it seems to do well.

There are numerous other choices of bags that fit well, though. This is just one example of a line that has more than just foam padding and is sized exactly for your MacBook. It can be had for less than the list price at some vendors with some poking around. Tom Bihn, mentioned just above, is also supposed to be excellent, and they make them in Seattle.

Another Tom Bihn fan. So far it's carried my 17" PowerBook on five continents. I like the backpack so much that I use it for serious day hikes without the laptop sleeve (aka "brain bag").

That said, bag technology isn't Mac-specific. You'll find lots of info about choices and preferences in other threads here. For once, the stuff Windows users post pretty much all applies!

Well, bag technology isn't specific, no, but certain manufacturers like InCase, Brenthaven, Marware, Bihn, etc. do size their bags fairly specifically to MacBooks. I wouldn't go back to having a bag that wasn't sized properly. Not such a big problem for a 17" I guess (then it's just finding one that's large enough), but for a 13" you want it not to be swimming in there. Too big is a problem from a protection standpoint.

More bags: just announced
 

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/08...php?lsrc=mwrss
http://www.targus.com/us/apple_cases.asp

Portions of the post that previously appeared in this space have been deleted. I would provide you with a reason why, but doing so would likely be against the TOS.

This seemed as good a place as any to ask...

Before scanning macsurfer, is there any 'talk' of a MacBooks update in the near future?
If so, what news/rumour sites are good reference points? Just so that any of us can be aware of a looming update. According to a secondhand source, the update is going to be a little later than expected.

But what do I know? :D Thanks!

(LED display macbooks or the long-wished-for slim 'nano' MacBook...I wish)

Yes, there's talk. Last MacBook update was mid-May, so it's been 4+ months - maybe not due yet, but the time can't be far off. This Sept. 21 article by Scott Moritz in TheStreet says a new slim MacBook, 10" to 12" screen, weight under two pounds, is coming in the next quarter to be ready for the holiday season. However, other places (including macrumors.com) discount his credibility as a source. Me? I dunno.