If you have a netbook, the side pocket on this backpack will work for you.  My laptop is too big to fit, so I had to add some padding on the bottom of the backpack and put it into the main compartment.  I used this pack as my carry-on so it had my computer and everything I needed on the plane.  It was rather heavy with the computer inside but the straps are nicely padded and the weight didn't bother me at all.  I think it's big enough for most college students to use if they don't carry all of their textbooks around.  The two outside pockets are great too - the one on the very outside is just a pocket but the middle pocket has divisions for pens, phone, etc.  There is also a little pocket at the top for your iPod.

A very functional backback and I expect it to last a hundred years like all Jansport products.

I gave it only 4 stars because the padding for the computer pocket is very thin, and if the zipper had been longer, I could have fit my laptop into it.