Computer backpack that won't screw up my neck?

I'm a hiker who carries a pack on long hikes and in my experience the kind of pain you are describing comes from too much pack weight being put on your upper body. You need a pack with hip straps so that you carry the weight in your hips instead. Yes it looks dorky but it's what you need if you want to carry that much weight for an hour each way. When you put on your pack you'll want to first make sure the hip straps are truly lying at your hips and that they are pretty snug. Then loosen the shoulder straps until you feel the weight moving to your hips. You don't want the shoulder straps to be too loose but you should adjust them until you feel the weight distribute. Having a chest strap can also help to keep the shoulder straps in place.

I don't know any specific ones, but I'd look into one that you can strap across your chest or even hip, so the weight is off your shoulders a bit. If you're walking that much, I think a day pack that's advertised for hiking would be a good idea.

I have the Black Diamond http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/climbing-packs/bullet-16-pack-BD681156_cfg.html#start=1, which I often use to carry things to work, There is a more minimal version, the http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/climbing-packs/bullet-16-pack-BD681156_cfg.html#start=1, which might be exactly what you need. It's a pretty minimal design, so it doesn't scream "BACKPACKER OUTDOORS PERSON", but since it is indeed a backpacker outdoors person bag, it's very well designed for walking.

In my experience, something with a decent hip belt helps a ton. Yes, it looks like you're off the the Alps instead of the office, but whatever. I don't have a particular brand to recommend because what I think you should do is head to a place like REI and try on a bunch of different packs. Bring the stuff you usually carry (REI staff will not think this is strange at all) to put in it and walk around the store for a while. If you are a (relatively!) typically female-bodied person, a pack designed for (typically) male bodies will not fit you as well and will cause discomfort sooner rather than later.

Osprey is my favorite brand of backpacks. They have a surprising range that varies from serious hiking bags to smaller commuter bags that fit laptops and stuff, and they have a range that is also fitted for women. I currently have one of their commuter ones, it has a nice laptop pocket that fits my hulkingly huge Lenovo, as well as a smaller pockets for my Kindle, my wallet, and still has enough space that I can shove some hoodies or jackets in there. It has chest and waist straps. I got my Osprey bag at REI, but there are other retailers as well. They don't have a "professional" look (you'll look like a scruffy outdoors-y type), but they're the most comfortable bags I've ever used. I've commuted with my backpack on bike for about 3 years, and when my bag gets worn, I'll be buying another Osprey, no question.

Agreed that if you must do this, a backpack designed for long distances is best. That said, the way I solved this problem was by leaving my laptop at work during the week (and sometimes on the weekends). I find most of what I want to do at home can be done on my phone or an old laptop (I use Dropbox for all my files), and as a bonus it keeps me from sneaking in work in the evenings when I really want to leave it at work. Obviously this might not be feasible for you for any number of reasons, but if you can swing not having a computer at home (or getting a second laptop that you sync via Dropbox, iCloud, etc.), I can promise it will make your walking commute was more pleasant.

Couple bits of relevant info: - I'm a cis woman with a narrow waist and otherwise pretty average build, about 5'9" tall - I work in a shared coworking space, so I can't leave anything there overnight. This is already really helpful, thank you!

Have you considered wearing a vest to distribute a bit more of the weight forward? http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/subindex_mens.shtml#vests alternatives would be tactical vests (i.e. the police looking type stuff) Or an armpit type holster? http://www.techslinger.com/ Another alternative is "hip holster" type setup for your kindle so it goes on your hip / thigh rather than back. Think geek is out of theirs though. http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/c616/ Here's a possible alternative: http://www.amazon.com/NAOKI-LOVE-Vintage-style-Multilayer-Multipurpose/dp/B00Y8QTU58/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1438791336&sr=8-3&keywords=tablet+waist+leg+pack

The Osprey Quasar and Pulsar series are supposed to be pretty good. They're 'urban' focused, so not quite so hiking focused as their other packs. Looks like the women's version is called the http://www.ospreyeurope.com/gb_en/view-by-series/everyday-commute/questa-27.