Originally Posted by
dvald001
If you have a brooks saddle, you may want to try a saddlebag. I've used panniers, messenger bags, and saddlebags, but I really like the 18l Zimbale bag. It looks nice, it's waterproof, and the weight is balanced really well on the bike (doesn't affect the handling as much as a pannier for me).
That's not going to be big enough for a laptop, dimension wise. The widest dimension is 13", and most laptops are larger than that.
Originally Posted by no1mad
Back on topic- OP, how you carry your laptop is up to you. Pros and cons to each method. However, while looking for panniers (as you've decided to go that route), you need to consider your bike's geometry as well. The main reason why I haven't used panniers more (and I've tried- had some and ended up trading for my mess bag) is heel strike. You might need to carry the load on the top of the rack instead off of the side.
One of the reasons I like my office bag so much is the way you can fit the QL3 mounting bracket(the part that stay son the bike permanently). I wear a size 12, and had some problems with it until I realized that the bracket can slide back farther. Mine sticks out about 4" back from the rack, and heel strike went away. You can also angle it if your rack has the right posts. Only downside is some reduced side visibility on my rear light that hangs off the rack.