I think it would be nice to have the option between a mess bag or panniers, although I realize cost is an issue for most people. I personally feel apprehensive about having my laptop in a pannier where it can be sandwiched between my bike and the pavement in a crash. In my most common type of accident, the sideways tipover, my laptop remained unscathed in my mess bag firmly strapped to the top of my back. I'm not sure what would have happened if the laptop were in a pannier.