A popular maker of laptop cases, both wheeled and non-wheeled, is Swiss Gear. A very popular bag in this lineup is the Patriot model, and it can hold a laptop up to 17 inches in size, which is pretty much the standard in large laptops these days. It features heavy duty ballistic nylon fabric that makes it the perfect travel companion when getting onto and off of airplanes or spending a lot of time in airports, for one.

For another, bags like the Patriot come with a great many features internally that can create a literal office-on-wheels for the business person or seriously involved student. This bag, as well as many others, features a separate pocket with expanding files for all kinds of paperwork, which can really come in handy. It even has a compartment called an “overnighter” where articles of clothing can be packed away the also eliminating the need for a roll aboard bag.

This can come in really handy when trying to keep travel expenses down. You won’t have to pay an additional fee for a checked bag and this kind of bag can fit easily into the overhead bin of any commercial aircraft. When it comes to bags like this, it’s usually the case that business people tend to gravitate toward them. Therefore, look for one that features an organizer pocket where cell phones, keys and other items (such as music players or electronic organizers) can be kept.

Generally, bags this nicely equipped can run up to $200 in most styles, though a bag from Tumi — which is a high-line maker of travel luggage — can cost nearly $1000. Generally, though, as long as the bag isn’t made of leather covering, anywhere from $120 to $180 would probably be a good price for something with as many features as it provides.

Another good example of a bag in that price range is the Samsonite Mobile Office Laptop Case. At around $135 in retail kit, there’s not much to quibble with when it comes to this bag. It’s loaded with plenty of features and can accommodate a laptop up to 15.4 inches. Additionally, it has four wheels for maximum maneuverability. The handy retractable handle that rises up from the bag is also extremely convenient.

There are a number of high-quality backpack makers out there such as Eastpak, Swiss Gear, Wenger (in conjunction with Swiss Gear) and Case Logic. Truthfully, the list of quality makers is probably endless. A good all-around laptop backpack bag that can hold a laptop up to 17 inches in size is the one from Spire. The Volt XL can accommodate a 17-inch PowerBook or other extra-big laptop computers with little problem.

Backpacks like the Spire come with padded bottoms that provide a high level of shock absorption and provide at least 4 layers of fabric and 2 layers of foam padding, which is excellent. These kinds of backpacks make excellent carrying devices for students or professionals who are more casual in their dress or for those who are traveling and don’t wish to call attention to an expensive looking computer bag. Plus, these bags can hold things like a water bottle and even some food, which can come in handy in an airport.

Backpack laptop bags also come specifically built just for women, too. The lineup from Tamrac features a number of models such as the women’s Slim Laptop Backpack that provide a great deal of storage space for all the mobile gear that may be needed to go with the laptop in addition to having foam-padded shoulder pads that can slide up and down to adjust for the height of the person carrying the backpack.

Try to find one of these quality bags that include a laptop sleeve that keeps the laptop separate from all of the other gear and keeps the casing of the laptop from being scratched or gouged by that gear. A number of backpacks from Bumbakpak, a very popular maker of these backpacks lately, provide such protection. These bags are more of a hybrid messenger and backpack laptop bag that can also look completely like a more professional single strap messenger bag.

No matter the kind of backpack desired, it’s a sure bet that it can be found online and from a great many retailers. They also come in a wide variety of prices and styles that can range from extremely casual up to leather covered and highly professional. Try to find one that fits the size of the laptop that’s going to be carried and that protects the laptop from other gear being carried in a backpack.

Laptop bags made by Targus are extremely popular because they are not only nicely priced but also durable and come in a variety of forms. This includes a very professional lineup of briefcase-style bags, backpack bags and wheeled computer bags. In terms of taste or look, there’s a bag for just about anyone who needs something professional looking right down to a bag that looks very casual and exactly like a backpack.

There are a great many online retailers and department store retailers that carry Targus bags, also. A good, basic classic “clamshell” model from the company can be had for under $20 from a few online retailers. Made of good quality nylon exteriors with sufficient padding to prevent a laptop from being damaged, this sort of bag can be the perfect starter bag for anyone on a budget. This particular style of bag can hold a computer up to 15.6 inches in size, which is fairly standard nowadays.

A good backpack laptop bag from Targus is the Octave model. Retail online, it runs about $51 and is well worth the money. It even has a zip-down workstation that can turn this bag into a veritable office space. It’s also attractively styled, and has a huge number of pockets and features such as an outer pocket for storing and MP3 player and a small “line-out” porthole to run a set of headphones through. The padded shoulder straps also help to make carrying this bag around extremely easy.

The extremely durable nylon outer covering is built to last and there’s even an external bungee cord system to which a sweater or jacket can be attached when the temperature warms up and you don’t want to build up a sweat carrying a backpack around.

For those interested in more professional looking bags, Targus offers a number of models in a variety of prices. Larger bags are available to accommodate laptop computers up to 17 inches in size. The Targus TCG717 17-incher, at between $70 and $115 works well in almost every instance, and has a variety of features that include being able to be rolled rather than carried.

An affordable and highly utilitarian model from this famous maker of gear is the SA9751 computer backpack. It comes complete with an organizer and a pocket to hold a water bottle along with another area where an MP3 or other audio player can be stored. Additionally, it’s affordable in a way that many other backpacks of similar size and style aren’t.

At less than $30 from an online retailer, the Swiss Gear computer backpack can be the perfect way to carry along an item that is becoming more and more important to all of us and in which we store much of our online and real-world lives these days. It makes sense, then, to go for a backpack that can carry a laptop around and that helps to protect this vital piece of gear from the elements and from possible damage.

A particular favorite among many laptop users is the Synergy model. At around $80, retail, it’s a bit pricier than the 9751, but it makes up for that in the features and capabilities that it brings to its owner. It can fit up to a 15.4 inch widescreen laptop computer and comes with a padded laptop computer pocket to keep it safe.

Weighing in at only 3.8 pounds, this model features a base stabilizing platform that helps to aid the backpack and riding along comfortably on the back of its owner. Comfort fit back straps also help to keep the owner from becoming uncomfortable while carrying one of these backpacks around, especially when it’s loaded down with a laptop and other accessories.

Additionally, Swiss Gear has worked hard to build each of its laptops to be extremely durable and also highly stylish. These backpacks come in price ranges that make them attractive even at the upper and lower levels. This is mainly because even the most basic and lowest-priced of them have an array of features and a great amount of looks that will swiftly convince anyone considering a backpack for laptop to consider only something from Swiss Gear.