Targus has always made a good product without breaking the bank. And it can be a messenger, which i do for regular daily use, or a backpack, which is great for the airport when i have other things slung around me.

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.aspx?sku=TSB110US

I have been in love with the WorkingClass Case for like 2 years but who has $600 to spend on a bag?

It isn't so bad if you buys smart. 600 is a lot to drop but a solid leather bag will last a good 15 years and unlike other bags will look great as it ages. Good manufacturers normally also have a solid warrantee behind their bags. My daily bag is a waxed canvas deal I made myself but my brief bag was around 400 and worth every penny.

I use it 5 days a week so why not? It will last longer than my TV or my xbox.

I'm searching for a cool messenger bag too, and found 'the property of...' bag in Japan. It's a designer brand from Singapore and the fabric seems durable with a nice combination of leather and thick canvas (maybe not canvas?). The asymmetrical design is different and it's practical too, with lots of pockets with closures.

http://store.thepropertyof.com/products/t.p-cycle-bag.html

I have the white/green striped version of the Crumpler Beefy Pocket. It fits the Macbook Pro 13" perfectly and has room for charger, phone, iPod, wallet, keys etc. :) (although it's quite difficult to get anything inside the bag coz it's narrow...)

However, the leather next to where the shoulder straps are attached to the bag started to get worn out by the second month. I don't really see it though, so it's ok. My only complaint is that it's quite a heavy bag, it hurts my shoulders even without a laptop inside! That's the price to pay for fashion!

I adore that first bag, but there should be some rule against a company calling themselves "working class heroes" and charging over half a grand for a bag.