JasonL said:
I have a
Tom Bihn Empire Builder. It is certainly one of the bigger shoulder bags available. You may want to look into a backpack, though.
I've got the Empire Builder as well. My wife uses the Tom Bihn ID messenger bag which actually has a strap meant to secure the bag around your waist for people on bikes.
Both have served us very well.
However, to the original poster: The list of items you want to carry might preclude the use of a messenger bag. 3 textbooks would have a tough time fitting into my Empire Builder along with my laptop case depending on the size of the books you are talking about. I know my textbooks were way too big when I was in school. A backpack might be a better option for you, particularly if you will be doing a lot of walking around with your stuff. Messenger bags are great for short distances, but if you have to do some serious hiking you'll want the more even weight distribution that a backpack provides.
While I was in college I used a Tom Bihn Monolith case for my TiBook. It was $40 and slid into my existing Kelty backpack. Great protection for the laptop, the Monolith got a little dirty and banged up on the outside, but the inside was still perfectly soft and clean when I gave the Monolith to my dad for the rare occasions he needs to take his school's iBook on the road.
If you would like a more complete backpack solution Tom Bihn also makes the Brain Bag, which actually is set up to be able to carry TWO laptops (who knows why) while still having plenty of room for books, cords and cables, cell phone, iPod, and still have more room to spare.
Good luck with your choice.