Is a movie prop the ultimate laptop bag?

I mean, yes, but: how much does a Tom Bihn bag go for these days? $300?

Maybe also add lower-budget recommendations.

More or less any backpack will do. You can even find them for used for for free.

> You can even find them for used for for free.

I live in a university town with lots of rich kids, which seems like the kind of place to find good-quality used backpacks if there were one. If there's an easy way to get my hands on free used backpacks that I'd actually want to use, then I certainly don't know about it.

Facebook marketplace or Craigslist might be a good place to check around the end of a semester.

Also, when the semester gets out. Usually there is a [local college name] Christmas and the rich kids just put their stuff outside rather than transport it back home.

I hate to find out how much that movie prop bag would cost. Labor alone would probably amount to $300

When I need a minimal carry for my laptop I use a regular canvas tote, it’s the right size for 13” with its neoprene sleeve plus power brick and cable and a few other essentials (notebook, pens, maybe a small snack or light jacket) and is fairly unconspicuous. Cheaper than the movie prop heh.

You don't need to drop $300+ on a Tom Bihn to have a totally functional backpack with a laptop sleeve, for cryin' out loud. So many backpacks have it, and it's not a premium feature.

Thriftstores, craigslist, fb marketplace, the facility on/near campus that takes in abandoned/donated items from students, etc.

Appears to be about $37 for a grocery bag with handles

https://www.dependableexpendables.com/products/silent-grocer...

You probably even have a bag somewhere that has a laptop sleeve. I have two that I was given by my current employer.

Agreed. Parent is the one who said “just get a Tom Bihn bag” - i am saying exactly “maybe mention some other choices because damn!”

He doesn't want a laptop backpack. He wants the minimalist cool vibe.

The solution proposed to me is ridiculous:)

Yes, I know. I was responding to the grandparent, not you. I get it.

This one is $47 right now:

https://www.osprey.com/astronova

Trash bins at end of term

$300 could run a whole sweatshop for a day

I use a Belkin F8N179[0,1], paid £23/€26/$31 for it ~8 years ago.

It's getting a bit old, so I guess it's time to upgrade... maybe for something a bit smaller, but it has served me well so far.

[0] https://celsoazevedo.com/files/2025/Belkin_F8N179_1.jpg

[1] https://celsoazevedo.com/files/2025/Belkin_F8N179_2.jpg

We used to raid the giant dumpsters they put in the parking lot and we'd always go to the dorm that had all the international students first because the loot was best. Scored an xbox 360 once, a monitor that still worked another time.

Damn!