I be a graduate student with a daily commute on a train , and Ihave find this bag really useful to schlepp a lot of different-sizedcrap -- book , water bottle , apple , usual girl paraphernalia , book , notebook , pen , etc. . I have never carry both my laptop and book at the same time , but I think it would be possible without break my back . the padded laptop `` envelope '' be definitely the best feature . most of the time , however , I use it to keep my small stuff from roam around the bag . contrary to Eddie 's review , this \* be \* a comfortable bag if you carry it on you shoulder . it be too big to carry with you hand unless you be Wilt Chamberlin-sized or just have really short arm . -lrb- the strap be not pad , but somehow they seem to work just fine . -rrb- it be also slightly more staid-looking than the picture would lead you to believe . the bag seem durable , but I would not predict more than a 3-5 year lifespan . I tend to change bag frequently -- always look for the perfect book bag that will solve all of my problem -- and have be really happy with it . I would highly recommend it -- and not just because it have a spiffy Amazon.com logo on it .