I have a messenger bag I carry with my old laptop... (Much Smaller) and I have a backpack that I used with it for a while... I don't mind either and will more than Likely end up getting a messenger bag and backpack in the end. But for right now its proving a pain to find a 17.3" laptop backpack that will hold mine... its a bit awkward.(16.6 x 12.8 x 2.3 inches) Most of the ones I have found are 16x12x.8