If you don't need a lot of stuff with your laptop, you can get something like an Incase nylon sling sleeve (which comes in different sizes and has room for power adapter, pens, and a (very) few other small things) and then stuff that inside a nice carryon bag like the RedOxx Airboss.
http://goincase.com/products/detail/nylon-sling-sleeve-cl57736/5
http://www.redoxx.com/Airline-Carry-On-Luggage/Air-Boss/91018-Air%20Boss/100/Product
I usually carry enough clothes for a three-day business trip and just do laundry while on the road if I have to make a week-long trip.
But the Airboss is BIG and can accommodate more if you need it to.
The Air Boss will fit in most regional jet overhead bins and even if you overstuff it and it won't fit, you can easily remove the laptop bag so you don't have to worry about your laptop getting damaged.