YES! Easily! Though the pocket designed to hold a laptop is not very thickly padded, it IS padded. The interior is the same color as the exterior -- and is a soft felted/chamois like material. The laptop pocket has a quilted, padded, layer next to the exterior of the bag, and a thin, padded divider panel built in at the interior of the bag. What is unique about this bag, in addition to being able to accommodate a laptop up to 15.6", is the fact that it also has an interior thermal pocket to keep items at the proper temperature -- hot or cold. It also has a key fob, a wet item storage area, a shoe/yoga mat compartment, and, of course an discreet pocket in which to store a wallet, etc. My Gift Recipient LOVED it!