This bag looks much more expensive than it is, BUT the material is stiff and doesn't allow it to shape to fit what you put inside.  It should work well for a laptop and/or a few notebooks/books, BUT you won't be able to have much of anything with depth in the pockets at the same time.  My purpose was to put my lunch in the bottom and use the pockets for stuff that I would have otherwise put in a purse when I am going back and forth to work on public transportation.  It looks great and is comfortable on my shoulders, but once I have things in the pockets, my lunch doesn't fit very well.  See picture.  I am wondering if it will soften up and be more flexible/accommodating to different shaps with more time.