So what accessories for laptop are you loving?

[Greenone]

I'm soooo happy with the accessories i bought, that I feel compelled to share in hopes of helping others (aaawww, what a good samaritan I am! ;) )...

Let me preface by saying that I just got pinkeye from my 3 year-old and I'm so thankful that for the last week or so I've been using this on my keyboard:

1. http://www.iskin.com/protouch_PB1.html

cause now I can just wash that and keep from contaminating my keyboard! I do wonder though, what kind of disinfectant I can use on the power button and scroll pad (and maybe also the latch). Any suggestions that won't get these parts too wet?

I also got one of these, which are so great cause you can protect your screen from the keys but also can use it to clean the screen and other parts of your computer:

2. http://www.radtech.us/Products/NotebookScreensavRz.aspx

Hopefully it's okay that I use both it and the iskin in my laptop and close the lid on both (hope that's not too much under there ) seems to be okay.

3. Here's my most favorite purchase so far (besides the Powerbook!) - it ROCKS!:

http://www.laptopdesk.net/laptopdesk2f.php

I love it cause it's super stable but not too heavy, it has strong rubber grips on the top and bottom, so the PB won't slip off my lap when I'm getting comfy on the couch, I love how it doubles as a laptop prop (don't remember exact name) so my laptop is propped up higher on my desk, at a comfortable angle, and the laptop isn't getting hot at all cause it allows it to breathe underneath. It makes typing so much easier (and on the writsts) and I like that the laptop is higher up so I'm no longer hunching over. It also came with a mousepad attachment which I haven't used yet cause I don't yet have a mouse, but it will be useful when I do. Highly recommend! I think it's sold at quite a few online stores so find the best price. I think I paid $25.00 or $30.00 or something like that.

I also suggest a good laptop bag with sleeve (many come with) and also maybe a lock so you can run up and get your latte from the counter at your local coffee shop without being so worried about the couple of minutes you'll be gone.

That's all I can think of (whew - quite a lot - but all very worth it!)

Anyone else?

[strydr]

If you use the 'book at a desk, add a keyboard. Also, a good travel mouse ( I use a Logitech V500). I use a iCurve for my laptop stand, but it's only usefull at a desk. If you worry about keeping it clean, put a small bottle of iCleanz (I think that's what it's called) in your kit. O-ya, if you use it at several locations, (ie, office and home), get a second power adapter. If you have other rechargable electronics, look at the iGo (found @ RadioShack), it has adapters for just about everything electronic. I use it to power my PB, cell phone(s), PSP, etc.. It has adapters for home/car/airplane, so you pretty much always have connectivity.

[puckhead193]

my icurve and my apple BT mouse/keyboard :cool:

[Greenone]

If you use the 'book at a desk, add a keyboard. Also, a good travel mouse ( I use a Logitech V500). I use a iCurve for my laptop stand, but it's only usefull at a desk. If you worry about keeping it clean, put a small bottle of iCleanz (I think that's what it's called) in your kit. O-ya, if you use it at several locations, (ie, office and home), get a second power adapter. If you have other rechargable electronics, look at the iGo (found @ RadioShack), it has adapters for just about everything electronic. I use it to power my PB, cell phone(s), PSP, etc.. It has adapters for home/car/airplane, so you pretty much always have connectivity.

Great suggestions, thanks! As for the icleanz, I'm afraid it might not be a disinfectant (which I'm definitely going to need). I'll look into it...

[Greenone]

my icurve and my apple BT mouse/keyboard :cool:

If I find I'm using the PB a lot at my desk the majority of the time, i might get the icurve cause this one I'm using gets it closer to eye level but not quite to eye level. Looks very cool! What I use is still is a HUGE improvement over not having it at all, and I love how I can use it in my lap!

Hey here's a question: for wireless connection, which of those two Apple wireless routers that they sell is better for the money? I live in a large (well tall mostly) house - 4 floors, though I won't be taking the laptop in the basement and I want to know if the smaller one for around $120.00 will be good enough if I leave it on the second floor.

[_bnkr612]

Apple BT mouse, Airport Express, Keyboard/Screen protector.

[Greenone]

Apple BT mouse, Airport Express, Keyboard/Screen protector.

Airport Express is the bigger and more expensive one, right? Were you suggesting that one for my big house or were you just putting in your two cents about what you like? Shoot - I need to go look at the two routers.

[Clix Pix]

My accessories (so far) for my shiny new 15" PB: the iLap (raindesigninc.com), MS Bluetooth mouse, the wonderful Radtech Screensavrz and, oh, yes, laptop sleeves (the gorgeous quilted orange Timbuk2 and the basic black, very protective Tom Bihn "envelope"). Still wrestling with the decision about the laptop bag -- am fiddling with two different Crumplers at the moment. I've commented on this in the thread about laptop bags, so won't repeat myself here.

The iLap is an elegant product, both a stand to use on the desktop and a comfortable way to snuggle up with the PB on a sofa, bed, or wherever else I want to be. It is very lightweight and the aluminum finish not only matches the PB but also serves the purpose of conducting the heat away from the machine. I am very pleased with it.

That is a good idea about getting a second power adapter; I remember a long time ago with an old laptop I had a problem when the power adapter went pflooey and I couldn't use the laptop until I'd gotten a replacement power supply, which took some time. As mentioned, too, if you're shuttling the PB back-and-forth between two places all the time, it would be very handy to already have the power adapter right there instead of transporting it each day.

OTB

[jpeeters]

I love my foofbag powerbook sleeve. I ordered the Half-a-giraffe a couple of months ago and everybody I show it to just loves it!

http://www.foofbag.com/

[Greenone]

I love my foofbag powerbook sleeve. I ordered the Half-a-giraffe a couple of months ago and everybody I show it to just loves it!

http://www.foofbag.com/

Cool sleeves! I bookmarked it. I love the purple people eater and giraffe one. I wonder...are any of those small "hairs" at risk of getting into the machine?

[wrxguy]

icurve, apple bluetooth keyboard, dell 2405fpw, and mx1000 make this the ideal set up...i love it! :D

[SummerBreeze]

I love my foofbag powerbook sleeve. I ordered the Half-a-giraffe a couple of months ago and everybody I show it to just loves it!

http://www.foofbag.com/

I love my foofbag as well! I got the pink corduroy one, and I've gotten so many compliments on it. My friend actually liked it so much that she went out and bought one for her iBook.

As for accessories, I use my Wacom tablet far more than I should. Sometimes I find myself using the pen as a mouse whilst surfing the internet. I also love my 3rd party dock (because I lost the connector cord and was way too cheap to buy a new one and a dock) and my Sandisk card-reader. I guess I'm pretty much just in love with my entire system.

[Clix Pix]

Routers..... I would say, if you've got just an all-Mac household and a largish house, that the Apple Airport Extreme would be the way to go. I have a "mixed" network of PCs and Macs, so have a Linksys wireless G router which also has four ethernet ports for plugging in the machines that don't have network cards. If I can ever figure out how to network my printer, too, I'll be plugging it in there as well. The two Airport-card-equipped Macs have no problem seeing the wireless signal and connecting to the network.

I've also just gotten a Wacom 6x8 tablet (in white, to match my shiny white iMac!) but haven't installed it yet. Looking forward to working with it soon, as I've got some images I need to be post-processing. People are waiting...

OTB

[Greenone]

Routers..... I would say, if you've got just an all-Mac household and a largish house, that the Apple Airport Extreme would be the way to go. I have a "mixed" network of PCs and Macs, so have a Linksys wireless G router which also has four ethernet ports for plugging in the machines that don't have network cards. If I can ever figure out how to network my printer, too, I'll be plugging it in there as well. The two Airport-card-equipped Macs have no problem seeing the wireless signal and connecting to the network.

I've also just gotten a Wacom 6x8 tablet (in white, to match my shiny white iMac!) but haven't installed it yet. Looking forward to working with it soon, as I've got some images I need to be post-processing. People are waiting...

OTB

We'll have a PC and this mac so does that mean the apple routers will be no good for us?

[jpeeters]

Cool sleeves! I bookmarked it. I love the purple people eater and giraffe one. I wonder...are any of those small "hairs" at risk of getting into the machine?

I don't think you have to worry about them. The fabric is an excellent quality, and the inside of the sleeve is another soft, not "haired" fabric.

[Cuckoo]

lacie small harddrive 80 gigs

one which is bus powered.....

like http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10558

[DSign]

The Wacom Intuos3 A5 Wide I just ordered:p

[Clix Pix]

We'll have a PC and this mac so does that mean the apple routers will be no good for us?

On the Airport Extreme router there is only one place to plug in the ethernet cable for LAN, as well as one connection port for a printer; in my case because I have two old desktops (PC) and one old PC laptop which, although it is supposed to work with wireless, really doesn't, I needed a router in which I could plug each of those machines. The two Macs don't need to be plugged in, as they both have the Airport card. I have had a wired/wireless network for a long time, but when I got my iMac decided it was time to upgrade to Wireless G and went with the Linksys WRT54Gx2, which is working just great with everything, both wired and wirelessly. In your situation, since you've got only one PC and one Mac, I'd go with the Airport Extreme, plugging the PC into the router, since your PB will be able to connect wirelessly. Others who have actually used the Airport Extreme and Airport Express can be more helpful in this regard, as to how well they work, etc. I think the Airport Extreme is the more powerful of the two.

Eventually I'll be cleaning out those old PCs and getting rid of them but for the time being I need to be able to connect them to the router for networking so that I can transfer files from them into the iMac and the PB.


OTB

[Greenone]

On the Airport Extreme router there is only one place to plug in the ethernet cable for LAN, as well as one connection port for a printer; in my case because I have two old desktops (PC) and one old PC laptop which, although it is supposed to work with wireless, really doesn't, I needed a router in which I could plug each of those machines. The two Macs don't need to be plugged in, as they both have the Airport card. I have had a wired/wireless network for a long time, but when I got my iMac decided it was time to upgrade to Wireless G and went with the Linksys WRT54Gx2, which is working just great with everything, both wired and wirelessly. In your situation, since you've got only one PC and one Mac, I'd go with the Airport Extreme, plugging the PC into the router, since your PB will be able to connect wirelessly. Others who have actually used the Airport Extreme and Airport Express can be more helpful in this regard, as to how well they work, etc. I think the Airport Extreme is the more powerful of the two.

Eventually I'll be cleaning out those old PCs and getting rid of them but for the time being I need to be able to connect them to the router for networking so that I can transfer files from them into the iMac and the PB.


OTB

Thanks!
Thanks also to the person who provided a link to a nice external hard drive. I saved that...

[dcv]

The iLap by Rain Design is the best thing *ever* for lounging purposes! :)

[smartgirlglasse]

That is a good idea about getting a second power adapter; I remember a long time ago with an old laptop I had a problem when the power adapter went pflooey and I couldn't use the laptop until I'd gotten a replacement power supply, which took some time. As mentioned, too, if you're shuttling the PB back-and-forth between two places all the time, it would be very handy to already have the power adapter right there instead of transporting it each day.

OTB

If you're in the market for a secondary adaptor, I'd recommend the iGo. I had to purchase one when my PB Brick started smoking (during law school finals, no less!) and Apple gave me the runaround about repairing it. The iGo comes with multiple adaptor tips, so when my and my SO go traveling, we can just bring the one iGo for my PB and his Dell. It also has an airplane/car adapter and a thing for charging your cell phone. It's just dandy.

[strydr]

If you're in the market for a secondary adaptor, I'd recommend the iGo. I had to purchase one when my PB Brick started smoking (during law school finals, no less!) and Apple gave me the runaround about repairing it. The iGo comes with multiple adaptor tips, so when my and my SO go traveling, we can just bring the one iGo for my PB and his Dell. It also has an airplane/car adapter and a thing for charging your cell phone. It's just dandy.

Ya, the iGo is great. Anyone who has a laptop, a cell phone, and whatever other electronic goodies, should have one of these.

[Clix Pix]

Thanks for the tip about the iGo! I'll definitely look for that in the local Microcenter, CompUSA or Circuit City...

OTB

[strydr]

Thanks for the tip about the iGo! I'll definitely look for that in the local Microcenter, CompUSA or Circuit City...

OTB

Radio Shack, or online www.igo.com

[alexstein]

Apple BT Keyboard, Mx1000 and my iCurve.

[DickArmAndHarT]

my icurve and my apple BT mouse/keyboard :cool:


Me too, Apple owns us. HEHEH

[California]

3. Here's my most favorite purchase so far (besides the Powerbook!) - it ROCKS!:

http://www.laptopdesk.net/laptopdesk2f.php

I love it cause it's super stable but not too heavy, it has strong rubber grips on the top and bottom, so the PB won't slip off my lap when I'm getting comfy on the couch, I love how it doubles as a laptop prop (don't remember exact name) so my laptop is propped up higher on my desk, at a comfortable angle, and the laptop isn't getting hot at all cause it allows it to breathe underneath. It makes typing so much easier (and on the writsts) and I like that the laptop is higher up so I'm no longer hunching over. It also came with a mousepad attachment which I haven't used yet cause I don't yet have a mouse, but it will be useful when I do. Highly recommend! I think it's sold at quite a few online stores so find the best price. I think I paid $25.00 or $30.00 or something like that.



That LapTop Desk is a knock off or rip off of Macally's "Ice Pad". And the Macally one is cheaper. I've had it for years -- it is great.

[Greenone]

That LapTop Desk is a knock off or rip off of Macally's "Ice Pad". And the Macally one is cheaper. I've had it for years -- it is great.

Yeah I think I compared the two and still liked the LapTop Desk one better. It seems it had a feature or two better. I give credit to the ice pad folks of course but I still wanted the better product. Mind you, I'm not saying it IS the better product, I'm just saying when I compared them (only over the internet!) something convinced me the one was better than the other. Wish I could remember now! Too lazy to bring them both up via google and compare again. As for price, I noticed the LapTop Desk is more expensive at most places, but I found a good price at only one place - the others cost a lot more - that's why I said it was worth finding the cheapest price.

[joepunk]

I guess I shall add my accessories to this thread.

Books to lift my PB off the desk. My $99 6x8 Wacom Graphics Tablet which I regularly use it instead of my cheap mouse. And the mini keyboard from the iMac in the sig. I also have a USB light for the times when I just want a little bit of light whenever I work in complete darkness.

[mjstew33]

my icurve and my apple BT mouse/keyboard :cool:
Same. And my iSkin. I misplaced it - *crys and runs out of chair to find*

[xparaparafreakx]

I guess I shall add my accessories to this thread.

Books to lift my PB off the desk. My $99 6x8 Wacom Graphics Tablet which I regularly use it instead of my cheap mouse. And the mini keyboard from the iMac in the sig. I also have a USB light for the times when I just want a little bit of light whenever I work in complete darkness.

And im the crazy student that gets the 6x8 Bluetooth Tablet.

My accessories are the BT Tablet and RocketFM. RocketFM is an iTrip for computers. So when doing presenations in class I can use the boombox instead of the T.V. Also my cellphone has a loudspeaker with FM Radio. Powerbook + RocketFM + Nokia 6800 = very loud sound.

[Bern]

- Radtech BT500 mouse (in silver of course)
- Airport Express
- Crumpler Wack-O-Phone laptop bag
- STM Rebound sleeve
- 17" CMV CT-726D external monitor (16.7M colours)
- Wacom Intuous 3 tablet
- Harmon Kardon Soundsticks II
- iPod
- iKlear keyboard/screen protector
- Clearlight 2.5" Firewire external HD enclosure
- Spare battery

[mcmillan]

iKlear, I've never seen such a good cleaning product :D

[dmachine]

-Mighty Mouse
-iCurve
-Apple USB Keyboard
-NEC 17" LCD (from my Winblows PC)
-Incase sling pack

[Eevee]

Logitech MX500 mouse
Logitech keyboard
23" Apple HD display
Schlesinger leather bag
:D

[erickkoch]

QuickerTek aluminum handle for PowerBooks. I always thought the handle on the original clamshell iBooks was a great idea. I hope Apple brings it back on future models.

Also, iSkin, Wrist Rugs, and Screen Protectors.

[SteveMcQ]

Some great recommendations here. Looking for a good, rugged sleeve myself.

[California]

Same. And my iSkin. I misplaced it - *crys and runs out of chair to find*

Don't feel bad about misplacing the iSkin. I had a clear one and I cleaned it one day -- and then I accidently threw it in the trash.

I've only got colored ones now. But need a new clear one for the darker PB keyboard.

Outside of the iSkin, I agree with another poster that having two power adapters is a must. And my Macally Ice Pad has prevented carpal tunnel on me, I know. I just bought a world travel adapter kit for the pbs/ibooks from Apple, and I am about to get some Zeroshock sleeves for my books to go into a lightweight microfiber messenger bag. I just can't stand having a huge old bag. You all would laugh if you saw the bag I had to tote around my first powerbooks -- the PB 100 and PB 145b. Bigger than a house. (I have no idea what i did with that leather dinosaur, either....
:confused: :confused: