campus backpack recommendations

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Targus and International Luggage both make very good backpacks, and both can be found in malls and/or office supplies stores. LL Bean is another good place to get bags. Whatever bag you get:

1. Do not run around with the machine turned on! Yes, sleep in theory is safe, but various programs have been known to wake up the machine unpredictably while traveling. This can create an overheating condition very quickly.

2. The padding should be soft on all six sides.

3. The padding should have liner protecting it so no small particulates get inside the padding. These if they get in the latch, keyboard the ports, or the optical drive can cause those areas to malfunction.

4. Don't put anything inside the padding except the notebook itself. Weight of other items can cause the screen to jam into the keyboard, and that's an expensive repair.

5. Keep the power brick in its own zip lock bag and do not wrap around the L shaped ends. In spite of the advertising material online, it is very easy to fray the power cable if bumped the wrong way when the cable is wrapped around the L shaped ends.

6. Test the bag with normal items expected to carry before buying if at all possible, or be aware of the store's return policy to be able to test it if you receive it by mail. You should understand how to operate the straps so that it doesn't hurt your back.

Having tried every brand out there, I can honestly say that Booq is one of the best!

http://www.booq.com

Booq Bags are durable, look great, and hold a ton for their conservative sizes!

Good luck!

I know what you mean when you say your backpack should "not have the look of a laptop bag." It just makes you blend in the sea of a million other black laptop bags. What will make you stand out is something like this Glide backpack from Briggs & Riley. It’s perfect for school, excursions, and taking to movies or the gym. The backpack has plenty of space and organizational compartments for everything you’ve listed.

This Brenthaven backpack does it all ...
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR025LL/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY#overview

I use the Patagonia Half Mass that I got at my local Apple retail store for $99. It has a built in sleeve for my MBP 15". It also has some nice pockets for organization as well. It is also plenty big enough for a couple of binders and books.

I have also used the North Face Bandwidth backpack which was excellent as well. I also had the Incase 13" deluxe nylon sleeve for my old MacBook, but it doesn't have any additional storage for books, etc.