I have been lugging around a backpack for a while, and, while is is nice when I have a lot of stuff, I would really like something better for when I just want to carry around my laptop and a book or two. Really, I am looking for a nice messenger bag. Since about every other person I know has one, and they really seem pretty nice. I am looking for something that is around 15×11x4+ inches (that seems standard) and something that I can carry my laptop around in safely. Any ideas? I want to get something cheap ideally, so the army surplus ones look pretty nice. A few of the “paratrooper” style like this one or this one (I found both from a number of sites for about the same price, including on amazon). I am not a 24 fan, but apparently these bags or variants are called “jack sacks” as Jack Bauer uses one. I generally like the look of these bags, and I like the feel of military canvas too, but I just don’t want to get my laptop messed up. I currently have a Swiss army backpack, with a special padded compartment for a laptop, which is nice, but I am guessing excessive. Anyone have any advice on that one? The main other bag that appeals to me is one from Manhattan Portage that looks like their normal bag, but has a padded laptop slot, but it is pricey, at least by my standards. Right now I am leaning towards the military-style. Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?