I have become increasingly irritated by having to carry two bags when travelling: a laptop bag plus one for my clothes and toiletries. I recently bought a new Victorinox Trevi bag which effectively combines both functions. This page documents it's strengths, tested in a five day trip to Almaty, Kazakhstan, this week.
As you can see, the bag is not terribly big. It requires disciplined packing, but that's a given anyway. It's size is actually an advantage, as it should fit in almost any overhead luggage bin. Also, because it is clearly a laptop bag, it is far less likely to be forcibly checked into the hold should there be a shortage of room for stowing carry on luggage.
There's a nice little magnetically sealed pocket of the front of the bag, just between the straps of the front handle. Ideal for holding travel documents and metal items that will activate the metal detectors at airports.
The briefcase compartment is adequately stuffed with padded pockets for PDAs and sunglasses, along with all the normal business card holders, document space and so on.
The laptop compartment is really a gadget compartment. The three pockers on the front panel are padded and large enough for iPods, cameras, cables and small peripheral items like USB data sticks, PCMCIA cards and so on.
The inside panel has a fairly large padded laptop compartment, which will comfortably fit a 15" PowerBook. If I have one complaint it is that the velcro fastener is coming away after just one use. It's not a serious issue as I don't think it's really necessary, but it is definitely in sharp contrast with the quality of the rest of the bag.
The central clothing compartment is reasonably spacious and easily fits fourt shirts, a pair of trousers and several pairs of underwear and socks. It is segmented with dividers, which make it userful as document space if that's necessary. Also, it can be expanded by releasing a fold of fabric concealed with a zip. However, expanding the case might make it too large to fit in some overhead baggage bins.
There are two, slim compartments that can be used for paperback novels, stowing laundry or keeping toiletries. The bag comes with two toiletries bags.
Finally, there is a slip of fabric on the back of the bag, which will allow it to be stacked on top of another bag, or that can be used as a document holder. There is a handle for wheeling the bag, and one side has a zippable webbed compartment for holding a water bottle.
It's small, it's light, it's made of a hard wearing fabric that is unlikely to start looking tatty anytime soon. It's not suitable for trips of more than four or five days and it's not going to have space for large duty free purchases or gifts for friends and family. It will carry everything you need for a short trip, save you from the luggage carrousel and not break your back when you carry it up or down stairs.