Don't let the Speck AftPack Backpack's simple exterior fool you. This laptop backpack was carefully designed to accommodate all your gadgets and gear with pockets galore.

The AftPack is not unlike its cool messenger bag cousin, the Speck Portpack. For starters, both come in a stylish brown plaid or blue-and-black pinstripe (like mine). While the Portpack can handle laptops only up to 15 inches, though, the AftPack fits laptops up to 17 inches. My black MacBook stowed comfortably in the backpack's padded micro-fleece notebook compartment. And Speck added an extra zipper right under the shoulder straps for quick and easy access to the laptop sleeve.

The backpack itself is light and, even fully loaded, it wasn't much of a burden. The straps and back panel are nicely padded too, for extra comfort.

Besides the main pocket, the backpack has several smaller pockets for stowing keys, your digital camera, pens, and more. A dedicated media player pocket pocket is perfect for your MP3 player, with a headphone pass-through so you can listen on the go. The bag also has a side panel that, when unzipped, can expand to accommodate a water bottle or other drink container.

I generally lean toward messenger bags over laptop backpacks, but I have to say, the AftPack may have converted me. I had was none of the back and shoulder pain I get with a messenger bag, and I had more than enough room for all the gadgets and other essentials I carry with me all the time. The AftPack's cool design is really just icing on the cake.

The AftPack Backpack is $99.95 on Speck's site.