Thule makes a laptop bag.  This is not it.  Their laptop sling is a 19 liter one, and is probably more suited for those who take their laptops to a lot of places.  I just take mine out occasionally to other people's houses, like when I'm house sitting.  Thus, this larger, heavier backpack suits me better.  I wanted a lot of protection for my laptop, as well as the "crush-proof SafeZone compartment" for my iPod and cell phone.  (The sling doesn't have that compartment.)  There is a front section for my papers or books, and a smaller zip section inside for pens and such.  It's water resistant, and I know the straps are never going to break...sending my laptop crashing to the floor.  I love it!  I only wish it was purple or royal blue. :)

Afterthoughs:  It's like two years later almost to the day that I posted this review.  I just wanted to add that this is truly a great backpack for lugging around a laptop.  The crush-proof compartment is also terrific for a camera.  And the backpack is indestructible when it comes to pets--at least cats and ferrets.  For some reason, it attracts cats and ferrets like crazy.  Cats like to sleep on it, and ferrets spend hours trying to get into it.  Their attempts all fail, and their biting and scratching does absolutely no harm to this Thule.  The only problem is the cat and ferret hair that gets on it. :)