Laptop Briefcases

Laptop totes and briefcases

Briefcase-style laptop bags and tote bags are generally the most elegant choice in a laptop bag, so they are often preferred by business travelers and commuters. Editors at CNet.com recommend the Targus TUL400 15\" Ultra-Lite Deluxe Notebook Case (*Est. $40) , which uses ample foam padding to protect laptops with up to 15" screens. It's a slim briefcase with a detachable shoulder strap. There's space for a few folders and accessories, but it's basically a minimalist design. Owners reviewing it at Amazon.com say that for carrying just a laptop and a few papers, it's light and convenient.

Targus makes quite a few other well-rated black laptop briefcases in various sizes, all of which look businesslike and carry a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects (wear and tear isn't covered). For women, reviews at ThinkComputers.org and PC Magazine recommend the Targus Fandango Tote TLT051US (*Est. $85) . It's designed for women executives, and looks sedate yet fashionable. It will hold notebooks with up to 15.4" screens. Both Targus laptop bags come in black.

PC Magazine likes another minimalist laptop briefcase, the Brenthaven Metro (*Est. $70) , which is being replaced by the Brenthaven MetroLite II (*Est. $80) . The MetroLite II comes in several colors and is more stylish than the Targus bags, with a sleek but well-organized front pocket plus a cord port for headphones. The MetroLite II has superb padding -- on all four corners and the sides. There's a back zip pocket for files, and the bag holds up to a 15.4-inch laptop. Brenthaven provides a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects but not against normal wear and tear.

The Tom Bihn Archetype (*est. $95) is even more stylish, with an unusual cork fabric exterior. Reviews say the Archetype laptop bag provides plenty of padding, even from the zipper. It has handles, but shoulder straps are also available as accessories (*est. $10 to $30). This laptop briefcase is designed to unzip on three sides so you can use the computer right in the case. It's also unusually light at 10 ounces. The downside is that the Tom Bihn laptop bag holds only the computer, nothing else. If you need to carry anything else -- a cord or files, for example -- there just isn't room.

Designed for women, Mango Tango laptop cases look like slim handbags, and also unzip on three sides so you can keep the computer in the bag while you use it. The Mango Tango laptop bags are lightweight and available in lots of different colors and designs -- brocade, faux suede, canvas stripe, faux crocodile, etc. They come in two basic sizes -- 16 inches and 18 inches wide. The most popular version at eBags.com seems to be the 16-inch Mango Tango Canvas Stripe Laptop Bag (*Est. $40) . Owners give these laptop bags good reviews for appearance and comfort, but padding is on the light side. There's no separate laptop compartment, and several owners say there's room for a few files but that any bulkier accessories (including the laptop cord) make the cases bulge.

GeekSugar.com recommends the waterproof Flicka laptop sleeves, which Flicka seems to be phasing out in favor of Flicka laptop brief bags (*est. $80). These laptop briefcases come in bright flower patterns, and protect laptops with up to 15.4" widescreens with full 360-degree padding as well as waterproofing. The padded shoulder straps are adjustable and removable, and the zippers are scratchproof.

The eBags Savvy Laptop Tote (*Est. $50) gets high ratings from users at eBags.com. It looks more informal than the Mango Tango and Flicka laptop bags, but includes a removable padded laptop sleeve and has space for lots of accessories, including a water bottle. Though it's a casual tote-bag style, it closes at the top with a zipper. It's trimmed in white and comes in five solid colors, including black, light blue and pink. It does have some drawbacks. Though it doesn't hold a 15-inch widescreen, some owners still find it too bulky, and one reports that it's not always allowed as a carryon bag. Some find the straps are uncomfortably short for shoulder-carrying -- a drawback for most laptop bags in the tote style.

If you're willing to spend more, the Talene Reilly Cate (*est. $295) earns an Editors' Choice award at PC Magazine. This expensive laptop bag looks like a woman's handbag. The reviewer says the soft leather handles are comfortable on the shoulder or in the hand, and the roomy interior is very well organized. The review covers a Cate with a black and white linen print, but the laptop bag comes in six other colors and designs -- all with an elegant look. For carrying on a shoulder, the Talene Reilly Sofia (*est. $290) has handles with a longer drop, but we didn't find any reviews of this laptop bag. For what it's worth, Oprah calls Talene Reilly laptop bags "corporate chic."