Good choice. I'd like a Timbuk2 customized messenger bag, but that's down the road. I hear they treat their workers right, too.

I use a very slim laptop bag myself, that doesn't fit anything but the laptop and maybe a filefolder or two. I put all of my accessories in a medium-sized purse. I keep my makeup bag, car keys, and cell phone as well as my powercord in the purse.
I see it as a chance to have a second purse rather than a drawback!

I also use a slim laptop bag and a purse to put everything else that I may need. That gives me the freedom to carry a small bag or a tote that can also fit my laptop.

I bought a Timbuk2 laptop bag a few months ago and I LOVE it. Its one of the plain old messenger bags, but it has more than enough room for the TiBook and a huge PHP book plus my DayRunner.

I bought(and returned) the dotty laptop bag Target as well. Way too small. Ugh...I had just returned the Mobile Edge Komen Microfiber Tote in the black and pink. It was adorable but was awkwardly large for my 5'2" frame. I'm still searching for the perfect laptop bag that isn't too boring...

This looks great - I'll have to look into; I'm tired of my bulky backpack laptop case.

I have a nice laptop bag from mandarina duck, which does look as a serious bag but not too much. And it comes in various colors.

I love the bowling-bag look of the green one. Never seen one of those before. Sad about the polka dots, though.

This is a great-looking laptop bag. I went to their web site to check out more features, and I'm quite impressed. The various color options are all nice, but that bathroom-tile green is tops in my book. Oh yeah... the patterned interior is a sweet little touch.

I to am going to get a laptop for college and being the lover of all things that have a handle and that you can carry your every day items I dread the thought of the horrible black laptop bag. BUT alas there is a small gleaming of light coming over the horizon of horrible bags, this light is http://www.caseclosedbags.com/home_new/, especially if you have a slight weird taste in bags this is the place to go.

I really struggled to find funky laptop bags in the UK - far too many big black bulky jobbies. Have a look here: http://www.closetspy.com/archives/2005/03/these_are_a_few_6.html
for the few that I came up with that looked less like laptop cases and more like chic (albeit large) handbags.
Mx

These are the most intelligently designed, well made laptop bags I've ever used, I can't recommend them highly enough: www.sfbags.com

The company is Waterfield Designs, and they make all of their own bags in San Francisco. I urge you to check them out!

I used lots of laptop bags- being a Laptop product manager for
10 years. The key thing is that unless the bag is designed for laptops, you will not get protection.

There is one company that stands out in this crowd. The bags are very stylish and specifically designed for laptops. Please check it out. If you are after quality and style - this is the place to go.

www.Nevora.com

Have you seen these beautiful things:

http://www.linandleo.com/lapbags.html

I spend some time looking around and came across these
www.knomobags.com

I bought the Timbuk2 Marina laptop bag and I'm loving it. It holds my Dell Latitude D410, keys, ids, wallet, bag of girly essentials, water bottle, mouse, power cord, and a casebook (massive law school text book). Just be wary of the colors if you buy it online: The lime is actually a horrid neon yellow and the kelly green, which is what I've stuck with, a cross between teal and a kind of aqua green. But all my fashionable classmates have complimented me on it and it's SO much better than a backpack!

I just bought a dark silver metallic leather laptop bag called the Skye bag. I love it. It's a new line from LA - I think! - called Alex Grant bags. (I first saw it in the window of Fred Segal there). It has a removable case inside, so it works like two bags in one. I wanted a bag that looked cool and hip, but fit everything for traveling. I bought it online at:
http://www.agbstore.com/bags/totes/skye/index.html

If you would like a fun and funky laptop bag you should try funandfunkybags.co.uk. I recently bought a laptop bag from there and they are really different from anything else that you find on the market.

If you are still looking for really cute laptop bags, I saw some great ones at Macworld last week made out of vintage fabrics. The woman who makes them has a website: www.myrebe.com. She makes bags and sleeves for 12", 15" and 17" laptops. Oh and she makes some sleeves that have shoulder straps in case you like to keep your other stuff in a purse. They were very uniqe and different than anything I've seen. I also really liked the Timbuktu bags I saw there. They had quilted sleeves in nice colors like pink, blue and green. If you can't tell, I like the sleeves so you can slide your laptop into a messenger bag or whatever bag you have that is big enough and have it be protected.

have an apple ibook G4 with a 12inch screen and am looking at the timbuktu bags. which one will fit my size of laptop? any suggestions?

actually, i have a glenroyal chic bag that i got at aunt sadies in boston-i love it and everything fits perfectly

I just ordered the Timbuk2... in lime! (A previous post said the lime color was ugly... guess I'll wait til I see it in person.) I'm looking for something that will carry papers, magazines, a small purse, etc. as well as ocassionally carry a laptop. Whenever I find a bag big enough it seems to weigh a ton -- empty! Especially the leather bags. I think the nylon bag would be lighter, and I love the look. ALSO look at Marka bags http://markaonline.com/. Lovely but a little pricey for my cheap self. (Hope the lime green looks better in Texas!)

They also have some really great messenger bags with great colors. I'm having trouble finding the bag you mentioned though.

I was wondering if any of you know of a great laptop bag perferably with a sleeve that can fit a 17 inch macbook pro. I know this sounds contradictory but...I don't want to spend a lot of money on it. However it has to hold up. I have been searching high and low for a bag that will fit more than just a laptop. Anyone know of any places? I'm about at my wits end. Oh, and keep in mind I'm a college (art) student so I'm open to new designs as long as they aren't too "mommy" haha! Have I been descriptive enough?

I have had my eye on the Minimalist bag by Zegari.

www.zegari.com

I also bought the marina bag by timbuk2 and love it. i didn't think i would be ok not having a separate protective sleeve, but i get along great without one. the only design flaws for me are no ipod pocket and that the front pocket is a little slim for my liking. but all around it has been cute and tres functional!

I have a Dell Inspiron E1705 - I can't find a "slim" laptop backpack... any ideas?

Try this website.

www.acmemade.com

I bought this Bumbakpak bag for my 15.4" widescreen Dell and it's been a lifesaver! It's made carrying around my laptop so much easier! I believe they have 4 different sizes for laptops and great colors/styles. www.bumbakpaks.com

This London based company has got some really sleek and fashionable laptop bags in the market. Check it out!

Flicka Bags - www.flickabags.com - is a small Indie company that makes fabulously funky laptop sleeves - made to fit your laptop.

No where have I seen such cool sleeves!

I think Timbuk2 is too big. I like the slim laptop bag which I can carry my 12" laptop, wallet and a notebook for meeting. Recently, I found a slim laptop bag - 5th Ave - fits my needs. A brand called ixRed, you can find them @ www.ixRed.com. Cheer!

I have really struggled to find funky and fashionable laptop bags in the UK, the ones I’ve come across are big, bulky and boring. I needed something that would protect my laptop as I cycle to uni. I came across a brand called Crumpler, I did some search and decided to buy one (I LOVE it!).
I bought it online from
http://www.think4.com/accessories__59/xlp-crumpler_laptop_bags.html

Hi,
I dunno whether this blog's still active but came across it as I was just doing some research on bags as i just bought a laptop, and also i make bags so i wanted to make myself one and also wanted to find out what designs are already out there. i really hate those black case things...and love my new green velvet one!
let me know if you have any tips as am thinking about making more to sell...
cheers, amyxx