I love my Pacific Tote Co bags! I've got a few sizes over the years, and they are by far sturdier than their LL Bean counterparts. I've used them as daily work tote bags for years and love the bigger zippered version for weekends away and my plane tote bag. The tall skinny size is great for a 13/14" laptop + whatever you need for work, and the larger sizes will fit SO much more.
The colors have faded with washing when I, ugh spilled chocolate mouse in one of mine. But, I had to use a lot of oxyclean to get the stain out, so it seemed like a fair amount of fading given the washing and scrubbing had to give it.
Yes, I'd like to acknowledge that they're expensive, but if design, grabbing a colorful bag will brighten your day, you can swing it, AND you want to use it for years and years, it's 100% worth it.