Targus Varsity

It's not a fancy or particularly cool bag, but the Targus Varsity ($59) has one big thing going for it: it's relatively cheap. Built to hold up to a 15.6-inch screened laptop in its padded sleeve, the Varsity packs flat, has numerous zippered compartments and plenty of pockets, and has a useful set of side pouches for extra gear.

Even though it's a little slighter in feel than some heavy-duty backpacks we've seen, it's well-built and feels comfortable. The back is slightly padded, and there's even a small Velcro webbed pouch on one shoulder strap for pens or loose change. Not surprisingly, since Targus focuses on laptop bags, this no-nonsense all-around backpack is pretty versatile.

Return to our Back to School laptop backpacks feature.