I've had this for over two years, and have been extremely happy with it. It provides a pretty good compromise between being too big and too small. Fits a laptop up to 15" screen (maybe 16" non-widescreen) in a special extra padded compartment w/ velcro strap to hold it down. The other compartments are kind of "loose", meaning that stuff just flops to the bottom of the pack! I think it could do with a few more pockets though. There are separators, but if your item is not very big, it slides right down. But for just computer accessories (cables, cards, extra batteries, cds, dvd, etc), this pack works great. Comes w/ a cellphone case which clips on the strap, though I never used this. There is some very nice ridged padding on the outer back, so it fits comfortably on your back. Straps have eough adjustability, though I would have liked a little more padding.
 

The Targus Deluxe Sport Backpack places heavy loads on your hips and chest, where the weight is most easily managed. Although I like the setup of a messenger bag, which can hold many files upright, I was concerned about carrying a heavy laptop (7 lbs.) and books on only one shoulder. Consequently, I opted for a backpack solution. The backpack, when loaded with a heavy laptop and a few folders and books, feels light thanks to the backpack's design of placing most of the weight on the bearer's hips and chest. It has plenty of pockets on the outside--and fewer inside the bag--to carry writing utensils, papers, cords, and water bottles. However, I miss not having an organizational panel for pencils, lead, checkbooks, and thumb drives. Also, when a two-inch thick laptop is inserted, there is only room for a binder or two and two or three books. Perhaps there are ways to expand the backpack, but I have not yet found them. It is a good backpack, but I think I could have found something else to fit my needs.