High School/College Students: What backpack do you use or recommend?

[ID008]

School year is starting a week from this Monday and I need a backpack that can definitely carry my books but is also designed to some extent to carry a laptop such as my MacBook in case I need to carry it with me.

Price must be under $100 by the way so nothing super pricey.

 

[Alag28]

Good post i would like to know this too but i think im gonna be cheap and get myself a incase sleeve 29.99

im starting my 1st semester at uconn in 13 hrs 10 mins...lol put this new macbook to the test

 

[Steve Jobless]

its a shame rudy gay left (i think?^)

anyways if you can do $109 my recomendation is the north face surge, excellent quality not sure of the laptop compartment though

edit: heres a link

http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=AE5T

 

[katie ta achoo]

I basically have this, put my PowerBook in an incase sleeve and sandwich her between my sociology book and a binder.

Cheap, it works PERFECTLY, and I'm good to go to class. Plus, it doesn't scream "I HAVE A LAPTOP IN HERE, PLEASE STEAL ME!!!" Like a backpack specifically for laptops.

Good luck finding one!

 

[ZoomZoomZoom]

I suggest the Brenthaven messenger bag for good protection. Plenty of space for books. I had the Fusion 12 for my 12'' PB, and it's still great.

However, make sure not to overload messenger bags. Not too good on the shoulders for long days.

 

[aye5882]

Good post i would like to know this too but i think im gonna be cheap and get myself a incase sleeve 29.99

im starting my 1st semester at uconn in 13 hrs 10 mins...lol put this new macbook to the test

you're first semester and you have your first class in college at 1pm?! nice! back in my time (2 yrs ago ), the latest class i could get 10pm. back to the OP...

if you wanna be trendy, they sell under armour bookbags for $60 and their compartments are pretty well padded. another nice one is the swiss brand (swiss army knife) @ target for $30. combine that w/ an incase sleeve and you're set. that's what i plan on doing...

finally, i just came from the apple store and saw another swiss backpack for $80 specifically for laptops...

 

[milozauckerman]

I like this one from North Face, if you aren't loaded down with actual books.
http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=ASY6

Now if only I remembered my first semester in college.

 

[mustard]

A good but pricey option would be timbuk2. They have some great bags that are customizable but a little on the pricey side.

www.timbuk2.com

 

[dansgil]

Personally, I would get a sleeve such as the Booq Vyper XS2 and put that in an ordinary backpack. I find that often the backpacks break and then you're forced to buy a whole new case.

With a sleeve you can just put it in any backpack, or carry it by itself.

 

[jbusc]

I bought a targus notebook backpack (this one I think) and I like it so far with my white macbook 13"...

the only problem is that it's a 15.4" backpack and the macbook is only 13"...and it expects a notebook about twice the thickness of the MB. So the macbook tends to "float" and get jostled around a lot.

I just stuck some foam in there, and along with the magsafe, it fills it up nicely.

Saved a lot of money too, that bag is dirt cheap compared to other bags of comparable quality.

(Guess I should also mention i'm a college student...)

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I bought a targus notebook backpack (this one I think) and I like it so far with my white macbook 13"...

the only problem is that it's a 15.4" backpack and the macbook is only 13"...and it expects a notebook about twice the thickness of the MB. So the macbook tends to "float" and get jostled around a lot.

I just stuck some foam in there, and along with the magsafe, it fills it up nicely.

Saved a lot of money too, that bag is dirt cheap compared to other bags of comparable quality.

(Guess I should also mention i'm a college student...)

Thats the same one I have. Very good

 

[mozy]

Arc'teryx Arro 22

Hello,

I am myself a student carrying sometimes a laptop around (though unfortunately not a Mac) and other things, i.e. books, some sport gear, something to drink and eat..
I would highly recommend, like others do, a sleeve+a regular backpack. Yet, the "regular" backpack I use is an Arro 22 made by Arc'teryx - a canadian manufacturer making some of the best outdoor gear available.
My 15" laptop fits perfectly in with the sleeve. It is superbly crafted and designed like all other items by Arc'teryx I own, its light and tough - it will certainly outlive my laptop.

The only downside for you may be the price 130$, but the additinal 30$ are worth it.

http://arcteryx.com/product.aspx?Arro-22#

 

[joe8232]

I have ordered this one: http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=EU&model=AMC2 for my mbp. It hasn't come yet so hopefully it will fit the mbp ok. I am tempted to either buy a second skin or vyper for the computer as well. Does anyone know if the vyper is like the second skin or is it more of a case (ie. a lot thicker?).

 

[miles01110]

I basically have this, put my PowerBook in an incase sleeve and sandwich her between my sociology book and a binder.

Cheap, it works PERFECTLY, and I'm good to go to class. Plus, it doesn't scream "I HAVE A LAPTOP IN HERE, PLEASE STEAL ME!!!" Like a backpack specifically for laptops.

Good luck finding one!

I second this- I mean,depending on what kind of campus you are on (public, private), your laptop is more/less likely to be stolen. Personally, I would'nt want to advertise that I was carrying around a $2000 machine. I bought the Incase sleeve (black) for the Macbook Pro and put it in my backpack. If you sandwich it between textbooks, your laptop will be safe from anything save a .50 caliber bullet

 

[SurfinSHELL23]

I'd recommend products from Crumpler - I have The Considerable Embarassment and it's very nice.

Brian