I use this backpack for school. It's smaller than most backpacks, and probably doesn't have as much room as others, but I can still pack in everything I need - including an ultra-portable laptop. There's a lot of intuitive compartments to stick your small stuff in too. With all the stuff I cram in there, it gets pretty heavy, but it's extremely comfortable to carry on your back. It's like ergonomically correct or something like that. I can trek across campus and not have the same problems that I would have with other backpacks I've used before. And of course, since it's The North Face brand, it's well-made, and I really doubt it will fall apart on me no matter how much stuff is in it or how long it hangs on my back. I highly recommend it for students with small laptops - 12" or smaller.