Belkin Ceylon Messenger

Belkin's Ceylon is available in a range of color schemes, with the outside in either gray or black.

There's more choice with the nylon interior, which you can have in lavender (the model that we tested), green or blue.

The first argument in favor of this bag is that it doesn't look like any of the others we tested, and yet still manages to stay upright all by itself with no external support.

The Ceylon Messenger doesn't have lots of storage space, but there's room for most things and the whole thing is solid.

It seems Belkin have deliberately set their sights on a more feminine bag, and the fastenings aren't huge strips of velcro but two small magnets found on either side of the strap.

The magnetic fastenings are also the bag's major downfall, though.

If you get it caught on something, or accidentally knock it over, then everything will come tumbling out, including your laptop, which is simply slid into the sleeve without a strap to hold it in place.

Other than that, the Ceylon is full of pleasant surprises. 

It's thin and reasonably light, but still manages to avoid the pitfalls that some much larger bags fall into. 

On the bottom, even if it's not obvious, a flat piece of plastic keeps the bag sturdy and steady.

The fabric is totally waterproof, and if you don't want to use the extra handle that's included, it's easy to remove.

Be careful--your laptop isn't attached to the bag

There are a lot of different pockets and they're well thought-out.

A zip fastener at the bottom of the front pocket, for instant, means you can open it up quickly and get tot things at the bottom of the bag without having to tip everything else out.

Apart from the main compartment for the laptop itself, there are eight other sections, only one of which closes completely.

Two pockets are on the outside, including the mystery unfolding pouch (see gray box) and one on the strap that's apparently designed to house mobile phones but which we found was better for holding business cards.

The handle can be folded away if you don't need it

A plastic panel reinforces the base

The pouch on the strap seems perfect for business cards

You can get into the front compartment from the side as well as the top