Hi All,
I just so happen to have just purchased a bag. I had been using a Tumi valise style, but I wanted a backpack. I centered on 3 pretty much right away, a Tumi Bethune, A Crumpler (Karachi Outpost or Beer Back) and a Booq Python. Most bags are too small for today's laptops and the other stuff we cart around.

I briefly considered the Crumpler Karachi, even though I wasn't planning to haul around camera equipment every day. I do own a Crumpler photo bag and I love it. I figured all the compartments could be configured to hold all my stuff (chargers, radio, ipod, blah). However, the Karachi doesn't have a place to hold paper/books. The Tumi was pretty cool, but I wasn't convinced that it had enough compartments. The Crumpler Beer Back didn't feel ideal to me either. So, I visited http://www.booqbags.com and checked out their new Python XL and XM bags. They both have a large number of internal compartments, are padded well where the laptop is stored and look pretty cool. However, they are BIG. I was going to get the XL, but I thought 20" high was a bit much. I own a 15" laptop; so I bought the XM, which is identical to the XL but for 2 points: it is 17" high (not 20") and it does NOT have a small, removable, bag attached to it, as does the XL. I really like it; have been using it for about a week. I can fit paperwork and a few books, depending on what else I need to bring along. My only "criticism" was I wanted a color other than black, and only black is available. The XM goes for $190 (plus shipping), while the XL is (I think) $210 + shipping.

Thanks,
zero2fifty