Good quality stuff.

messengers, laptop cases,etc

their commute bag is awesome. and water repellant.

Spire packs rock...I have owned the laptop backpack for years.

http://www.spireusa.com/

ah, but for an awesome backpack, try:
Mountain Equipment Co-op
www.mec.ca
...excellent durability, Canadian made, and in Canadian funds, so you will definitely be able to afford it

Got a great Backpack w/ a pull handle & even wheels @ WalGreen's for $19.99. Still working 4 yrs later, although I overloaded it one too many times & broke the handle. God Bless the People's Republic of China. We're gonna be their 51st state one day!

I second sunburntkamel's suggestion of timbuk2. The commute bag completely rules, comes in cool colors (mine is orange and yellow, BRIGHT), and is basically indestructable. Another awesome feature is that there is a rapid-adjust clamp on the shoulder strap that allows the bag to be converted from a regular shoulder bag to a bike/messenger bag; it's a brilliant feature I use all the time. Also, there are about a billion pockets and storage places, not to mention plenty of space in the main 2 compartments. GREAT BAG.

Oh and it also dosent look like a "laptop bag", making you less of a theft target. I don't know if that's important to you, but it's a must in Chicago.

Brenthaven used to be the best on the market for protection, they make ones that fit apples now, I got one for my pc in '98 so Id guess that the still make them

i have a freitag. it waterproof, expandable, recyclable, and no one has one exactly like mine.

My in-laws bought me a laptop as a going back to school present. My partner and I were looking through this thread last night because I need a case, and she pointed out that the ones I liked cost almost 1/2 the price of the laptop. I might have to go w/MysteryMan's contribution to the discussion.

i use one of those canvas shopping bags from trader joes ($5) and a memory foam sleeve ($20).

check this out http://www.ebags.com/shaun_jackson_designs_inc/laptrap/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=9444

Hey, how do you make a link active?

nevermind, i get it now..

also, google UPRIGHT VERTICAL BRIEF (couldnt find a good link). Not exactly "affordable" but definitely awesome. I've had this bag for a year and I love it. Has pockets for everything, including file folder pockets in back. Plus, you can carry it as a backpack, a shoulder bag, or by its handle. If you shop around online you can find it for around $130...wish i could remember the site I found it on, some obscure site..

Earthgirl...really you like that bag? I thought the idea was good but it misses the mark. Plus Shawn Jackson is a pompus ass from all acounts i have heard and the few run ins with him in the hallway etc (he is art school faculty at Umich)

John Jourden, that is the best link ever. I might make one for myself JUST BECAUSE.

waterfield designs: www.sfbags.com

had mine for 3 years now, looks like new

so far.. i am really dinging the boblbee bags, but i am not sure if any will fit my new laptop.

what i am afraid of is dropping any bag i have and the boblbee bags seem to be able to withstand any shock. soft shell bags dont seem to be able to protect the laptop in the event it slides off your shoulder or desk or something.

i just saw some cool ones at mandarina duck this week....oh but yeah i missed the "affordable" part

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I just bought a Michael Graves laptop case for $29 at Target. I honestly didn't know it was his design when I picked it up, it just seemed very cool. Hyper sturdy handle, and removable sleeve, which is what I wanted because sometimes I just want to slide my laptop in my backpack. The front pocket is kind of weird, but otherwise, I really like it. It looks like it will take a lot of abuse. We'll see.

I love my Everlane backpack. Very minimal. Sturdy materials. Unique. Great value. https://www.everlane.com/produ... 

Not really a laptop bag but I have to give a shout-out to my Christmas gift to myself:

https://www.seallinegear.com/i...

Fully water-proof commuter bag with a simple roll-top closure. Pricey but 100% worth it, I had another nice bag but it just got destroyed by simple commuting. UK weather is brutal sometimes.

Those look great. Living in Halifax, there was a company somewhere on the coast that repurposed old sail-boat canvases into a similar thing and sold them at the local markets, they were incredibly hardy and durable.

MATEIN and Mancro have charging backpacks for daily commuting. If you want a lot of padded laptop cases, check them out. I stuffed a dress there, and then used this MATEIN bag for a day trip by plane.