Backpack to hold laptop when biking to work (Dallas, Arlington: condo, new house)

[loves2read]

need suggestions for laptop backpack for my daughter to use to bike to work...
she teaches/lives on Gulf side of FL--south of Sarasota
moved to new house that is close to her school (under 2 mi) and has access to dedicated bike path for most of commute

she wants a backpack to hold her laptop (older--probably 15 inch screen at least)
she is fairly tall--about 5'10" with fairly broad shoulders--not a petite frame

her bike is more mountain bike/cruiser type without the reverse handles but a backpack that does not obscure her vision or that is not too bulky would be better...
does not want to use pannier because also wants to use it when she travels/flies so a padded carry-handle and place to store IPOD Touch would be highly desireable

will need room to tote some schoolwork around but not necessarily textbooks
needs to be fairly waterproof/water-shedding
there are showers there off and on all year long
and if there is way to store helmet with pack would be useful bonus

saw some snowboarding packs this past weekend that looked like she could store helmet on back but they seemed pretty heavy frame...

suggestions appreciated
and if it comes in orange--that would be great...

[pepper131]

Try Whole Earth Provision and REI.
After that, look at Title 9 and Athleta online.
Then see if Timbuk2 has anything online - although they are mostly messenger bags, but they have some backpacks.

[JS1]

I use a regular backpack and put the laptop in a laptop condom (about $20, I got it Wal-Mart and it still works 5 years later). An expensive and heavy laptop bag is better if you drop it hard, but other than that, it's not necessary.

[Korel]

Competive Camera has a huge selection of backpacks designed to carry laptops and camera equipment. Competitive Cameras - Serving the Dallas, Plano, Arlington, & Ft. Worth Texas Area Metroplex That's where I bought mine.