(MONEY Magazine) – Carrying on

Heightened air-travel security has spurred demand for carry-on-luggage innovations. Simply fitting in the overhead is no longer enough, say the experts; the new carry-on must be light, easy to search and versatile. We sent 20 of the newest FAA-conforming carry-ons on weekend trips with our staffers and then chose our favorites. Turns out, some of the much heralded new features didn't do us much good: Transparent compartments, designed so that security personnel could see the contents without unpacking them, were opened and searched anyway. Bags with more than a few compartments prolonged searches interminably. And those with nonremovable interior bags that we didn't use made them too bulky to pack. In general, we liked the luggage that kept it simple--and had at least a 10-year warranty.

Our favorites: For long weekends, we recommend the Swiss Army/ Victorinox 22-inch Standard Traveler ($295). It's a spacious wheeled backpack with a protected front pocket that nicely accommodates a laptop, a specialized compartment that keeps shirts nearly wrinkle-free and a telescoping handle that swivels. At 11 pounds it was among the lightest bags we tried and comes with a lifetime warranty. For travelers who need to get business gear and clothing in one bag, Skyway Luggage Co.'s Modulus 2.0 Computer Compatible Wheeled Carry-on ($230) was our choice. We loved the front accordion fold-out compartment for files and the padded laptop holder. It doesn't accommodate a lot of clothing, but for those with scads of documents to haul, it beats the much touted (and more expensive) Tumi Wheel-a-Way Carry-on Vertical Office. We also liked the new line of Samsonite bags that boast the "SoftSpin Transit System"--smooth in-line skate wheels that make maneuvering even the most overloaded bag easy. The Carbon 2010 garment bag with wheels ($335) got especially good marks.

SKI SEASON Great skiing can be had well into the spring if you head north. Tourisme Quebec (877-266-5687; www.bonjourquebec.com) has a two-night package including lift tickets at Stoneham Ski Resort, lodging at Le Manoir du Lac Delage, several meals and a massage for $178 (U.S.) per person per night, assuming double occupancy. Travel until April 30.

LAPTOP ALERT In late January, Intel announced a new processor for ultralight laptops. The PIII-M promises, among other things, to enhance battery performance--but it also means deals on laptops with the older but still powerful Pentium III chips. Watch for price breaks on models like the Compaq Evo N200, which we recommended in December.

SAILS ON SALE Windstar Cruises (800-258-7245; www.windstarcruises.com), known for its masted sail yachts that carry no more than 300 passengers, is offering 50% or more off 12 seven-day trips from Fort Lauderdale to Key West and the Bahamas through March 31. The rate of $1,595 per person (double occupancy) includes an ocean-view cabin, meals and water sports (except scuba diving).