In a brilliant cerulean blue, the Higher Ground 15" Shuttle laptop case is sturdy with a side of style. Also available in black and lime green, and in a smaller size (12-inch) for ultraportables, it's hard to find fault with it this versatile tote. You can use the included shoulder strap or opt for the backpack strap, which sells separately for $9.95.

At first look, the Shuttle looks like your ordinary, run-of-the-mill laptop case. But a look inside the main compartment reveals a handy CD/DVD organizer that literally takes up no space (see more photos of the bag here); the front pocket has plenty of room to stuff in your papers in and slots for all of your favorite gadgets and of course, your power supply and cables.

The best feature though, is that you can use your laptop without even taking it out of the case (see below). I especially liked it since my Dell 700m tends to run hot--not to worry, though, it's not likely to explode. (My battery's not on the recall list.) Your laptop rests on four non-slip rubber pads to allow for airflow underneath.

I found it to be comfortable to tote around--I love backpacks and this one fit snugly and didn't dig into the shoulders. The small handle on the top of the bag is great too for use when getting on and off the subway or in and out of a car. It's nice looking too, a bit sporty, but sleek and great for men and women.

The case is relatively lightweight and the fabric is waterproof in case you get stuck in the rain. There's a good amount of padding and reinforcement, but I wish there was a way to secure your laptop so it doesn't move around while you're in motion. (My Dell was dwarfed by the case as you can see in the picture below.)

Cheap Geeks will appreciate the pricing: the 15-inch case goes for $49.95 and the 12-inch for $39.95. I just wish the backpack strap wasn't extra.

Coming in September, just in time for Back to School, is a 13" case for the MacBook.