Bag-a-Palooza!

No reasonable person chooses a computer based on its stylishness--as your mom might say, it's what's on the inside that counts. Of course, for years that rather reasonable premise translated into seven kinds of tech fugly, not least of which was the black nylon laptop bag. (Or, as Angela refers to it, the "I'm-standing-on-a-subway-platform-with-a-bag-obviously-full-of-expensive-gear-please-mug-me" aesthetic.)

Steve, no slave to fashion, sullenly defends the honor of a shapeless gray mass he claims to be a well-traveled computer bag. But Angela, who knows that finding a non-hideous laptop case is one of those things women talk about when they go to the restroom in pairs at parties (what, you doubt?), seizes the moment to display a variety of fresh options.

Separating the market into two rough categories--"carry-on strength" and "around town," by which she means "more padding" and "less padding"--Angela begins flinging bags around the set. Among her finds:

• From Talene Reilly, the Carly ($88)--a laptop sleeve or around-town bag, paired with a matching Reese ($288) or Debra ($368) and capable of handling laptops up to 14 inches;
• From Jzmo, the 15-inch Jzmo Cares Think Pink tote ($249)--proceeds from sales of this bag go to breast-cancer initiatives;
• From Wabags, the elegant (if potentially weather-sensitive) silk-covered, around-town Patrick ($89), which again can hold laptops up to 14 inches but is rated for only 10 pounds of gear;
• From Pinder Bags, the Thin ($49), an around-town sleeve (the Pinder site was a hit with Angela since it could recommend bags based on laptop size);
• From Kolobags, the Mobile Edge Madison ($198)--another tote-shaped bag--and the backpack-styled (and notably sturdy) Moonsus Cappriccio ($215).

And for men other than Steve? Angela comes through with a briefcase-style leather bag from Levenger, the catalog people with the beautiful pens. It's called the Cambridge Briefbag, and it retails for a gut-checking $528. Steve emits a wail of horror, but Angela prevails: when the chips are down and the big meeting is on, it may be what's on the inside that counts, but it's also empowering not to walk into the room with a shapeless gray mass that says, "I'm a gym bag that went to technical school."