Laptop+camera bag or keep them separated?

I'm starting to research bags. I've got a Canon backpack right now (this one:http://www.bestbuy.com …12808506554&sku​Id=7191004) That I bought at a near by Best Buy. I'd like something a little higher quality, as the Canon backpack is lacking padding in some places. It is a fairly comfortable wear so I like that.

I would like to know if you folks prefer to keep the camera bag and laptop bag separate or if you guys prefer to a sort of all-in-one bag and pros and cons of both set ups. Right now, I have 2 separate bags for my laptop and camera.

Features I'd like:
-Definitely a backpack
-Plenty of padding and lots of options for rearranging partitions.
-Weather proofing (like Lowepro's All-Weather series)
-space for a camelpack or water bottle.

I'm looking at this one as a camera backpack that also has room for a tablet:
http://store.lowepro.c​om …cks/flipside-sport-20l-aw

And this one that can fit everything- my laptop and camera kit and tablet:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …MLUwcir38ECFcaC​fgoduxAAEQ

I'm kind of leaning toward the 20L AW and separate laptop bag, but am open to any and all suggestions and personal experience with either set up.

Check my signature for my kit. In addition to that, I just ordered my first flash, a Yongnuo 568 EX II. I am close to half way being able to afford my first lens since I got my 50D+28-135mm, the Tamron 150-600mm. I do plan on buying other equipment in the future. My budget is under $200.

Open to any other brand recommendations as well. Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

SkyBaby wrote in post #17250064
I'm starting to research bags. I've got a Canon backpack right now (this one:http://www.bestbuy.com …12808506554&sku​Id=7191004) That I bought at a near by Best Buy. I'd like something a little higher quality, as the Canon backpack is lacking padding in some places. It is a fairly comfortable wear so I like that.

I would like to know if you folks prefer to keep the camera bag and laptop bag separate or if you guys prefer to a sort of all-in-one bag and pros and cons of both set ups. Right now, I have 2 separate bags for my laptop and camera.

Features I'd like:
-Definitely a backpack


-Plenty of padding and lots of options for rearranging partitions.
-Weather proofing (like Lowepro's All-Weather series)
-space for a camelpack or water bottle.

I'm looking at this one as a camera backpack that also has room for a tablet:
http://store.lowepro.c​om …cks/flipside-sport-20l-aw

And this one that can fit everything- my laptop and camera kit and tablet:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …MLUwcir38ECFcaC​fgoduxAAEQ

I'm kind of leaning toward the 20L AW and separate laptop bag, but am open to any and all suggestions and personal experience with either set up.

Check my signature for my kit. In addition to that, I just ordered my first flash, a Yongnuo 568 EX II. I am close to half way being able to afford my first lens since I got my 50D+28-135mm, the Tamron 150-600mm. I do plan on buying other equipment in the future. My budget is under $200.

Open to any other brand recommendations as well. Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

Tamrac makes a model worth considering.

Thanks, DC Fan. that bag does look good for my purposes.

I feel I need a camera+laptop backpack for travel (underseat on airplane) but generally want something smaller with me while out-and-about shooting; rather not have the added bulk of a laptop compartment. (or if on a longer hike; I don't want laptop jostling around that much if I can help it).

I have the Lowepro 350 AW DSLR Video Fastpack Hold my 19" laptop and all my camera stuff with no issues. Went on a 15 mile hike in the rain with no issues.

w0m wrote in post #17253701
I feel I need a camera+laptop backpack for travel (underseat on airplane) but generally want something smaller with me while out-and-about shooting; rather not have the added bulk of a laptop compartment. (or if on a longer hike; I don't want laptop jostling around that much if I can help it).

my experiences match this as well. A laptop capable bag, in my opinion, is only really good for traveling. You dont want to hump that around all day

SkyBaby wrote in post #17250064
I'm starting to research bags. I've got a Canon backpack right now (this one:http://www.bestbuy.com …12808506554&sku​Id=7191004) That I bought at a near by Best Buy. I'd like something a little higher quality, as the Canon backpack is lacking padding in some places. It is a fairly comfortable wear so I like that.

I would like to know if you folks prefer to keep the camera bag and laptop bag separate or if you guys prefer to a sort of all-in-one bag and pros and cons of both set ups. Right now, I have 2 separate bags for my laptop and camera.

Features I'd like:
-Definitely a backpack
-Plenty of padding and lots of options for rearranging partitions.
-Weather proofing (like Lowepro's All-Weather series)
-space for a camelpack or water bottle.

I'm looking at this one as a camera backpack that also has room for a tablet:
http://store.lowepro.c​om …cks/flipside-sport-20l-aw

And this one that can fit everything- my laptop and camera kit and tablet:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …MLUwcir38ECFcaC​fgoduxAAEQ

I'm kind of leaning toward the 20L AW and separate laptop bag, but am open to any and all suggestions and personal experience with either set up.

Check my signature for my kit. In addition to that, I just ordered my first flash, a Yongnuo 568 EX II. I am close to half way being able to afford my first lens since I got my 50D+28-135mm, the Tamron 150-600mm. I do plan on buying other equipment in the future. My budget is under $200.

Open to any other brand recommendations as well. Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

I never carry a laptop or tablet with me as I normally am carrying too much anyway! However I have had the Lowepro Vertex 200, that you are considering, for 3 or 4 years now and can thoroughly recommend it. Mine has had a fair amount of abuse and still looks like new, also it is a well padded and robust backpack - though not the lightest because of this. The harness system allows you to make this pack sit very comfortably at just the right height as well.
I am ver pleased with mine if that is of any help.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions everyone! I think I've decided what I'm going to do. Im going to get either the 15L or 20L and a dedicated laptop/tablet bag. I don't go on huge trips often. My last commercial flight was 10 years ago. I'm a stay at home mom with a toddler and a baby. The only over night trips I do are monthly weekend visits to my parents lol. When I will eventually fly somewhere and want to take my laptop and tablet with me along with my kit, the Vertex 200 AW looks like the best bag for that. For short day trips, which are much more frequent, the Flipside Sport series of backpacks looks like the way to go.

That said, will the 15L or 20L fit the kit I plan on getting? I want the bag to be able to fit a 50D, 28-135mm, Sigma/Tamron 70-200mm 2.8, and the Tamron 150-600mm and a Yongnuo 568EX II flash. If I end up needing the Vertex 200 AW, then that's ok, but I would over all prefer the Flipside because easy bag access while out and about is important to me and I really like that about the Flipside.

Mindshift panorama or the F-stop bags are great alternatives to the lowepro. I have read good things about the lowepro also.

If I'm taking a laptop, then that means I'm going somewhere far so I've got my big roller bag stuffed with gear. I use the Think Tank Low Dividers and pack the laptop in there with the camera gear. I don't want to carry-on a separate laptop bag.