Help Me Pick Out My Next Laptop Case

My long time bag is starting to show its age; one of the zippers no longer works completely, the fabric is frayed in places, the water resistance is marginal and the padding has lost its loft.  I got about 4-5 years out of it by my recollection so I have no regrets about the quality.  It is a Targus Sling I picked up on sale for about $40 at the time.  It was roomy without being bulky and had those nice extra that really make a great bag (padded laptop compartment, in-strap phone/music holder, well-padded strap, exterior bottle/umbrella sleeve, rubber feet on the bottom and internal organizers).  My only regret was that it was not more professional looking. It is perfect for the sporty/outdoor look or light student commuter and I would not hesitate to recommend it in this role.

Thus I’ve decided to look at some new options. I have six bags lined up, two each from the following categories:  Sling Pack, Vertical Sling and Messenger. My needs might not be everyone’s so bear with me as I explain my preferences and goals.

Vertical Bag These hang off one shoulder or across the chest much like a standard Messenger except they are oriented vertically instead of horizontally. I like Verticals because they don’t result in your bag sticking far out from your body, limiting mobility and bumping into people/obstacles while commuting. They are slightly less comfortable than Slings in my opinion but I’ve owned a couple nice ones over the years.

Messengers Your traditional horizontally oriented bag with shoulder strap. While you sacrifice the slim profile of a Vertical Bag they do seem to carry weight a bit better (but not as well as a Sling Bag). Messengers look good though and many well-designed ones carry a satisfactory amount of gear without looking too bulky.