I really like this backpack.  I was replacing my old backpack that I have had since freshman year of high school. (I'm a junior in college now)  I wanted something that could hold my books, had side pockets, and was cute.  I've gotten several compliments on it about the color scheme.  With nothing in it, the backpack is very light.  Some backpacks are really heavy just by themselves.  I really like the zipper at the top that is supposed to hold your ipod.  I don't really use it for that; I use it for my cell phone and it works great.  I also like the front zipper pocket.  It's easy to get to things that I use often.  The middle pocket has a velcro pocket in it and I find that useful for holding things I don't want sitting in the bottom of my backpack.  I like the side pocket on it too.  It is large enough to hold my coffee thermos without it slipping out.  I had a problem with it falling out with my old backpack because the side pockets were a little too small.  This backpack won't hold a laptop though.  Don't buy it for a laptop unless you have one of the really small ones and have a case for it.  There's no laptop pocket.  Yup, overall, I really like this backpack.