Belkin's apparently in a competition with Yamaha for corporation with the most diverse range of products. Not content with simply selling routers, surge protectors, iPod accessories, KMV switches, and all things USB, the California-based company now also offers a small line of laptop bags.

If you're looking for a sleek laptop bag on a budget, you certainly could do worse than Belkin's Sling Bag for Notebooks. The two-tone color and slim, sleek exterior make the bag look good, while smart design hides a plethora of pouches and compartments perfect for carrying those Belkin (and non-Belkin) accessories.

The bag is a comfortable carry, thanks to plenty of padding on the entire inside surface of the strap. And with even more padding in the interior, as well as some smooth velvet, your laptop can relax in safety and style while you commute.

The real innovation of this bag, however, is its pocket design. Some bag companies compensate for the geeky consumer's gadget-carrying needs by loading up the interior and exterior of their bags with zippered pouches and compartments. That certainly makes it easier to take everything with you, but tends to make the bag itself look like it's studded with tumors. Not exactly sexy.

Thankfully, that's not the case with Belkin's Sling Bag. The designers managed to "stealth" most of the extra storage space, by layering two large pockets on top of each other on the bag's front. One pocket has a horizontal zipper, while a pouch layered below it zips up horizontally. Another small cell phone/MP3 player pocket hides in the sling strap. Though it could be bigger, as it wouldn't zip up with my shiny new Tilt jammed inside. Other pockets line one side of the interior compartment, with plenty of space for pens, smaller gadgets, and cables. Belkin even included a separate removable pouch designed to house your laptop's power brick and cable.

The material that makes up the bag is also worth noting. It's a thick canvas-like fabric that looks good and seems strong. As a result, the whole bag has feels more sturdy and durable than some bags I've tested that cost three times as much.

Considering all this bag as to offer, including a lifetime warranty, Belkin's $49.95 asking price is very reasonable. But better yet, if you shop around, the Sling Bag can be found online for under $35. That makes Belkin's Sling Bag for Notebooks (up to 15.4") a real bargain. It's available now, and also comes in a "chocolate/tourmaline" color scheme, if red and black isn't your thing.

And if you're lugging around a larger laptop, Belkin also sells a similar shoulder bag, at the same reasonable price point.

Post by Matt Safford