Let me start with a confession: I have had this bag for literally months, all the while truly intending to get a review online really, really soon. That's the embarrassing part; the good news is that I've had a chance to try it out really, really thoroughly. I now can barely imagine life without it; the Briggs & Riley @Work Deluxe Computer Backpack turns out to be pretty much my ideal laptop lugger.

First, I can use only backpacks to carry a laptop. It's just too heavy for me to carry in a shoulder bag; whichever side I'm using gets tired and sore quickly, no matter how good the bag. This backpack is super comfortable, maybe the most comfortable I've tried, with padded straps you can adjust while you're wearing it and padded mesh on the back of the bag--I never feel anything digging through and into my back.

The laptop compartment (fits up to 15.4-inch machines) is completely separate from the large main compartment. It unzips from the side, making it easy to pull your machine out quickly--say, at airport security checkpoints, or if you want to use it on the train. The zipper pull can be tucked away, making your laptop's location a little less obvious. The bag also has a front organizer area, for gadgets, pens, and all that. Though the bag looks pretty slim, it fits an astonishing amount of stuff if you need it to.

This B&R bag is made of that ubiquitous ballistic nylon; I'm not sure if the stuff comes in different grades, but after months of use this backpack still looks new. All the hardware is brushed steel. Yes, the style is subdued, but it's really quite classy; and at least it won't clash with your lime-green polo shirt or plaid sundress.

Eeek! It's $199. But if you carry your laptop a lot (as I do), it's a worthwhile investment for comfort, convenience, and durability; also, Briggs & Riley has a lifetime warranty on its bags. And if you're not a backpack kind of person, the @Work Collection includes a wide range of other styles, some in leather too. We also took a look at the Computer Messenger Bag which comes in olive and goes for $175; if you can carry your laptop on one shoulder, this one looks very sweet too.