I love this backpack. I use it for everything. When I travel I use it as my carry-on bag. If Im only going to be gone for a weekend or a day I use it as my only bag. It would carry my books when I attended a small university. The pockets are great size and numerous. I like to use the bottom pocket for electric cords and writing utensils. The middle pocket I use for small electronics (digital camera, cell phone, iPod, GPS unit). The topmost small pocket I use for anything I need to get to fast. The laptop pocket (inside the big pocket next to your back) was the pocket I was most worried about because I have two 17.5 inch laptops (Toshiba and Samsung) both fit perfectly in the pocket (one at a time of course), if they would have been just a speck thicker or longer they would not have fit. Straps were comfortable for me. The only complaint I have of this bag is the top strap its harder to grab a hold of and/or hang onto hooks.