Factors like style, comfort, and number of pockets are, of course, important when you're picking out laptop bags, but if you know your bag is going to take plenty of abuse, you'll want to check out Manhattan Portage's Computer Messenger Bag ($99 direct). This bag can take a beating and keep on toting, thanks to its weatherproof lining and solid construction. Oh, and it's cool, too. While you may not know Manhattan Portage by name, odds are you'd recognize the bag maker by its distinctive red logo emblazoned with an outline of the New York City skyline. The company has earned its hip rep with its stylishly understated bags, and the laptop bag line is no exception.

Manhattan Portage's bread and butter are messenger bags—the company offers one laptop backpack as well. A wide variety of messenger bags is on offer, about 20 percent of them laptop-friendly, tailored more to students than the commuter crowd. I like to carry a lot of things with me on a daily basis, which is why I opted for the Computer Messenger, a 13-by-16-by-9-inch bag, by far the largest of the bunch. I paid for that bulk when I was jostled around on the train, but, at the same time, I had plenty of room for my laptop and charger, as well as a planner, book, magazines, iPod, and all those other daily necessities.

The bag has a main compartment with a laptop sleeve, along with two smaller pockets on the front and a thin pocket that rests against your hip. My only major complaint about the design seems to be a frequent issue with laptop bags (check out the Crumpler Considerable Embarrassment and Mountain Hardwear's Sentinel Jr. and you'll see what I mean). There are no easily accessible outside pockets for storing things you need to have handy, like a train pass, cell phone, or keys. In the Computer Messenger's defense, it does in fact offer an outer pocket, but that pocket is far too small and difficult to reach into to be able to store anything useful.

The bag's adjustable strap is simple, with no fancy padding or handles, but it still has enough give to be comfortable. At 2.6 pounds, the bag weighs nearly nothing, though it's still not quite as light as the featherweight JanSport Boost. My 13-inch MacBook slid into the laptop sleeve nicely. Even loaded up, the bag didn't weigh me down.

Of the laptop bags we've looked at recently, the Computer Messenger is a bit on the expensive side, but it's so durable that you won't need any other bag for a long time. The interior is lined with bright yellow waterproof vinyl, and the outside is Manhattan Portage's signature Cordura-nylon blend, a lightweight fabric designed to withstand wear. No question, this bag can take whatever abuse you throw at it.

While most of Manhattan Portage's bags come in a rainbow of primary colors, the Computer Messenger offers a more basic palate: navy (like my review unit), black, brown, olive, and gray. While it might be a bit too bland for some, I like to think of the bag as a more workplace-friendly version of Manhattan Portage's other gear, while still injecting a little flavor with its loud yellow interior.

Though I'm still a fan of Crumpler's quirky bag, the Manhattan Portage Computer Messenger wins points for construction and durability. This understated bag will be just as at home in the classroom as in the office, with plenty of room for everything you might want to tote around, and it's sure to keep your laptop safe for a long time to come.

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