Ben Brooks has a Tom Bihn Smart Alec backpack, and after seeing it at Macworld, I ordered one myself this spring.
It’s awesome.
I have the “Vertical Brain Cell” insert for the 13-inch MacBook Pro, as that’s what I was carrying at the time I ordered the bag. My 13-inch Air and iPad fit in it together nicely.
I also added the “Snake Charmer” cable carrying case, and it’s well-worth the money. Having all my cables in one section at the bottom of my bag keeps things nice and neat.
The bag itself is large, but I don’t think I look goofy with it. While the black fabric is well-made, I do worry about fading over time. (Of note, @gorskic says it’s not an issue.)
While I love the look of the Ristretto, I’ve found that my back is much happier when I use a backpack. It also makes riding a bike to work safer.
The straps are wide and nicely padded, so they don’t cut in to your shoulders, even after long periods of use. The tightness is easy to adjust, unlike other bags I’ve used in the past.
I don’t really know what else to say. It’s just a quality, comfortable backpack. If you are looking for something well-made and easy to use, it’s for you.