Holiday party time is approaching fast, and before you know it you'll be trading in that summer tote bag you're still holding on to for a pretty little evening bag. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to take along your laptop for that moment when you need to do a quick e-mail check, or map out a route to the next fete, and you don't have a BlackBerry? Wait ... what kind of person is so uncool, such a Luddite, that she doesn't have a BlackBerry? Me. But I'm getting one soon, promise. In the meantime, if I had Sony's tiny, 1.4-lb. P Series Lifestyle PC, I could just slip it in my bag and go. Dimensions are just 4.8 in. x 9.7 in. x 0.8 in., and it comes in red (shown), green, gold, white, and black. The tech specifications are too much to get into here, but Amazon has all the info you need. Or keep reading after the jump for the official data from Sony's website. $999.99

A laptop case needn't make you look like a Star Trek enthusiast or some sort of overgrown schoolchild, yet most such designs leave a lot to be desired aesthetically. That's especially true when it comes to sheathing the larger sort of laptop such as the Apple MacBook Pro 17". A stylish machine like that deserves an equally stylish case, however. Chic luggage and travel accessories company Tumi has come to the rescue with the Villa 17" Computer Brief (above). Made from the finest Italian texture coated canvas with luxurious vachetta leather trim and polished, nickel hardware, it features a padded laptop compartment, interior organizer pockets, and an adjustable, removable shoulder strap.The case complements the rest of Tumi's refined, elegant and classic Villa Collection, targeted to the sophisticated professional, featuring a range of designs for every requirement.

I used to wonder why my older laptop backpack was so large. All I had in it was a computer, some cables, and an accessory or two - I looked like a trail hiker walking around with it. I was recently presented with the Loopbag Vanguard laptop backpack and I realized I can finally carry around my computer essentials without looking silly - In fact the backpack looks pretty good. Aside from this backpack in several colors, Loopbag makes a range of bags, packs, and other portable computer essentials in a fun range of colors that will remind you of Timbuk2 and Crumpler.

The namesake of the backpack makes sense when looking at it head on as you see two zippered areas that form two loops. It makes for a hip, modern look, and one that is simple enough to have broad appeal. I get the impression that the backpack was designed based upon a functional concept as opposed to just a look, and the system is pretty clever. It gives you multiple access points so things inside are easier to find, which is good because you don't have to unload everything to get to things buried inside, as you can access the main compartment from the front or rear on both sides. Inside the back is a whole range of little pouches - mostly zippered - for any manner of small or large items. I enjoy frequently finding new areas to store little items on the Loopbag such as a small pouch for cash or keys located on one of the shoulder straps.

Ages ago, a co-worker told me pointedly that it was OK to carry two bags, say, a purse and a commuter bag. But venture into three, and you've crossed over into "bag lady" territory. So when I saw this laptop tote that also is big enough to carry other essentials and not too expensive, I was excited. Moonsus's Gallery Laptop Tote measures 14.5"L x 11"H x 6.75"W and has a main compartment with a built-in, padded, adjustable divider for files or most 14" notebook screens; fits a laptop up to 13.5"L x 9"H x 2"W; has a full leather exterior, two-tone gold striped satin lining, an inner zip pocket, a front zip pocket, interior pockets for cell phone or PDA, pen holders, and a key ring; metal feet; and an 11" shoulder strap drop. It comes with a drawstring bag for storage. Available in red, black and a yellowy gold; $318.

When Vivienne Tam posed with Miss USA during New York Fashion Week she had an interesting accessory tucked under her arm. That peony-printed clutch that matched her dress was no purse, it was the new mini notebook from Hewlett Packard. HP collaborated with Tam on the fashion notebook which also appeared on the runway with Tam's clothing. The "digital clutch" has a 10-inch screen. No details on specs or pricing have been released yet but it is supposed be available in early 2009. Laptop Magazine has a great gallery of close-up shots of the new gadget.

To be filed under the ridiculously aspirational: the new Bentley laptop designed by Ego. For those who believe that a hood ornament transferred to your leather-bound laptop will lead you any closer to mogul status, please contact me so I can steer your financial missteps in the right direction (philanthropy, real estate, ok, fine, a pair of YSL Tribute sandals). I'm glad Engadget seems to agree on the absurdity of the latest to enter the luxury laptop division, which starting at close to $20K makes my current laptop wishlist (comprised solely of the Macbook Air) look like a trip to the 99 Cent Store. Barneys appeared to drop the line after carrying an earlier design, and this version is sold only at Selfridge's, although Ego is expanding its market in the label-happy UAE. Check out the Ego website for diamond-encrusted laptops and more signs that society isn't on its way to hell in a handbag after all. It's headed that direction via your luxury notebook.

Apparently there's a Macbook in there somewhere, believe it or not. We've covered blinged up laptops before but this one is dolled up as a workstation, not a glitzy fashion accessory. Munk Bogballe has taken a basic Apple Macbook and added an anodized aluminum surface on the top and a European aniline leather underside, plus a sophisticatedly simple (but expensive) leather case to put it in. The 2.4Ghz Macbook underneath stays pretty much factory spec, plus 4GB of RAM and Windows XP pre-installed. £3,500

Via Engadget

I may switch out purses fairly often but my laptop bag has been the same for almost a year now -- needless to say I go for less "trend" and more "classic" when shopping for ways to tote my computer. The Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Laptop Bag is simple, classic, smooth. Leather in rich chocolate brown with woven sides, double zip closure, a cotton lining, and a detachable shoulder strap make this bag seasonless and more than able to stand the test of time for years to come -- both in quality and style. $2350

Via Geeksugar

I love my Macbook, but I don't know that I'd ever considering going so far as to plate it in gold with a big diamond-studded apple logo. But if you're of a different opinion and have the money to burn then you should get in touch with the team over at Computer Choppers and commission your own customized laptop casing, with options including gold or platinum plating with diamonds, sapphires, and other gems. Pricing varies, of course, but estimates for a gold-plated Macbook Pro run around $1200-$1500 plus another $500-$2400 for the logo (depending if you want CZs or diamonds).

Ready to feel old, the venerable Think Pad computer is 15. Our friends at Engadget reported this earlier this summer (check out their fancy gallery of pics) but the popular computer is coming out in a swanky reserve edition that is wrapped in leather and looks a bit like a portfolio. The computer has a Centrino Pro Core 2 Duo L7500 processor, WWAN, 2GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD a 12.1-inch screen and a seven-hour battery. Each one is numbered and the maker of the Think Pad, Lenovo, will emboss the owner's name on the leather cover. To compensate for the heat of the leather, the engineers created a system to release heat through the sides. The leather also adds a bit of heft. The detail that really gets me about this one is the little antenna that pops up to help improve access to wi-fi networks. The reserve edition sells for $5,000.

Some things, cool or creative as they may be, just strike me as hilarious. And these Wooden Memory Sticks by Oooms had me laughing out loud when I first saw them. Maybe it's because they're so life-like that it brought to mind visions of shoving a stick into my computer and expecting it to store my data for me. And they look so realistic because they are real -- they're handpicked branches from the woods that are professionally handcrafted into USB storage discs.

Available in 256 mb, 512 mb, 1 Gb, and 2 Gb memory sizes and measuring about 2cm x 2cm x 10cm, they cost between 45 and 80 euros each. All laughter aside, it's a really neat idea.

Very simple in design, Calder laptop cases are understated and classic inside and out. Crafted with full-grain leather made by one of England's oldest tanners, the cases also have a hand-laid carbon fiber shell that's amazingly strong while not being too heavy. A silk velvet lining and suspension system protect your laptop from damage in your travels, and the whole setup reminds very much of an instrument case as opposed to a shoulder or tote bag (which is no surprise considering they make guitar and violin cases as well). Available for £2020 through the Bill Amberg store.

Okay, I'm not a man so I can't write about these Henry Beguelin men's bags from the angle of "I'd sure love to have one." But I can say that any guy I see carrying one will score a second glance and bonus fashion points, in my book anyway. Depending on your own personal style, they most likely appeal to earthier types who care about their appearance and want something nice, but also like the comfortable and natural "lived in" look. To me they nicely communicate two things: "I'm successful" and "I'm not stuffy." Not an entirely easy thing for a bag to do.

My favorite of the bunch, this Italian cracked leather computer bag with shoulder strap, sells for $1,750.

Hit any coffee shop nowadays at the right hour and laptop bags just might be a more visible fashion statement than handbags or shoes (okay, that might be an exaggeration, but still). Regardless if you're looking to express yourself, simply want something nice to carry your laptop around in, or both, Zegari has designed a couple of very nice options to choose from.

Made of fine leather and full of handy pockets and features for everything you can imagine, both The Barcelona Bag and The Minimalist were designed to appeal to those with classic tastes looking for a mix of both fashion and function, and luxury of course. The bags sell for $285-385.

Information and details are sketchy, but Luvaglio is apparently planning to unveil its latest luxury gadget -- a $1 million dollar laptop -- sometime in the near future. So what does that much money get you in the world of portable computers? There seems to be an intentional feeling of mystery surrounding the whole thing, with limited pictures released and an invitation only website. But rumor has it there's a glossy black piano finish on the outside, a self-cleaning screen, a Blu-ray drive, and a diamond-encrusted (of course) power button.

For a million dollars I hope the rumor-mill missed some major features, or else that better be one big power button.