What's the best carrying device for the equipment-laden blogger making the January convention circuit: CES Las Vegas, MacWorld San Francisco, and Detroit's North American International Auto Show? A rolling bag will help so long as it's big enough to carry camera, lenses, flash, video camera, and laptop, yet not so big it blocks the aisles. Two great solutions are the Tamrac CyberPack Express Rolling Photo/Computer Backpack 5265 (left in photo) and the Lowepro Rolling Compu Trekker AW Backpack (right).

Both have enough room for a digital SLR camera, multiple lenses and flash, and a small video camera, with a separate padded sleeve for a 12-inch laptop (easily), a 14-inch most likely, and a 15-inch laptop possibly. These bags are oriented with the longest dimension (about 18 inches) vertical, not horizontal, so it takes up less room maneuvering through crowded aisles. They have shoulder straps that make them usable as backpacks. I thought this was good idea at first, but when I've needed a backpack bag, I find I carry that instead. The straps also make the bag a big thicker, so you may have to remove your laptop to make it fit on an airplane storage bin or under the seat.

Of the two, I prefer the Tamrac CyberPack Express because of its front mesh pouch. Meant to hold the base of a tripod (also using a pair of fabric loops), it's a great place to stash all the brochures you pick up walking the show floor. The Tamrac interior is also a bit deeper, meaning some lenses will stand upright and take up less space. You may also want to check out the Tenba Shootout Medium Rolling Backpack. The Tenba is more backpack-looking with rounded edges, thus a bit less carrying capacity. The Tamrac sells for about $300 street, Tenba for $200, and Lowepro for $175, making Lowepro the best deal. (Prices will vary widely and it never hurts to look on eBay also.)

If you need more carry space (probably only if you're a professional photographer), Tamrac, LowePro, and Tenba all have bigger versions 22 inches tall that fit in overhead compartments but not under your seat; as well as backpack-only versions without rolling wheels; and rolling only bags, although all that I've seen are wide not tall, which makes them more problematic at crowded show floors. If you're just carrying a camera, a laptop, and maybe one extra lens, these bags may be overkill. All you really need is a rolling laptop bag with a padded partition. And if you're traveling without a laptop, consider a sling bag such as the Lowepro Slingshot or Tamrac Velocity Sling Packs. Both have a single messenger-bag strap that lets you slide it easily from back to front to change lenses.