PowerBook Essentials - things everyone should have

Brenthaven 15" Shoulder Case
Apple Bluetooth Mouse
Extra Apple Power Adapter
Retractable Ethernet Cord (i forgot what brand)
FireWire, USB 2.0, iPod Connection cable
Traveler CoolPad
All the cords and whatnot that came in the PowerBook box

The first thing you need is something to carry it in--something that fits the way you'll actually use it. A briefcase might work for some while others will need a backpack. Personally, I like this over-the-shoulder thing I've got. It also has a handle on top and can be worn as a backpack. Covers all situations. After that I just carry what you need. For me cables are a big deal. When I get where I'm going I don't always know what I'll be doing or how I'll be doing it so I carry a variety of cables--USB, ethernet, FireWire, telephone, and external monitor adaptor. Most cables are available in retractable form so they don't take up that much room. I try to carry a couple iKlear wipes as well, but I always end up using them on other people's gear. I like to carry my digital camera with me whenever possible, so I've got that plus a small tripod and the proper cable in my bag. There's usually an iPod in there as well--and I got that Dr. Bott FireWire to iPod dock adaptor to carry as well. Good stuff. That's my basic portable setup. It's not unusual to find a book or magazine in there along with some work stuff. I just don't pack any heavier than I need to.

• Radtech Powersleeve
• Spire Zoom Backpack
• a lightweight and padded lapdesk

I just bought a lapdesk from Bed Bath and Beyond for $10, it has a plastic top but is sturdy and very light - great for using the laptop in bed, or while sitting in a chair. Target is selling one for $10 too (with all the "back to school" stuff)... it has a nice wood top, but is quite a bit heavier.

I'd add a spare battery to the list, but I don't have one.

on the go:
Radtech Screensavrz
Crumpler School hymn (with regular looking backpack or messenger)
MS Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 (until a decent BT one comes out)
Extra 512MB ram
Ethernet & phone cable (just in case no wifi is present)
Power adapter (duh)

at home:
160GB Firewire external HDD

Here is what I have.

Radtech Powerbook Sleeve
AcmeMade Slim Carry Case
Power Charger


I like to keep my computing needs a minimum.


I guess you can include an Airport Express now. Not sure how handy it will be though.

kensington pro mouse
keyboard protector
isight
external hard drive

Some nice **** for the perfect mobile

iFlex,
Pocketdock,
iSight, iPod with PodSleevz 4G 40Gb as iPod of course and as a HD,
BT-500 Mobile Mouse and
USB combo kit from Macally

radtech's PowerSleevz, Wildeepz and iSkin

All this in my Incase Nylon Brief
Of course, it's a 12" iBook G4 1ghz, not a PB

A must for Lecture recording and filming with office 2004 it can't get any better.

No need for pen and paper

Macally wireless USB mouse (I love it!) and if you're planning on using a laptop often, a mouse is a must.

Lacie external hard drive

Marware keyboard protector

external speakers

edit: I forgot to add my Waterfield sleevecase that I use to take it everywhere

tibook 867 (bought refurb'd recently for os9 legacy capabilities)
m-audio backpack/shoulder bag
bose noise canceling 'phones
oxygen8 usb midi keyboard (weighs nothing)
blank cd's
pad of paper, pen and sharpie

so, maybe it's a bit bulkier than the incase nylon sleeve thingie i had on the ibook i recently passed along to my parents, but it sure is more useful now!

Depends on where I am.

On the go(if I am away for a longer period of time):

- Samsonite ITC Backpack
- Bluetooth mouse
- iSight
- Ethernet Cable/ modem cable/ other cables
- iPod
- Canon digital Elph
- Sennheiser HD595 headphones
- 2 DVD-RWs/ 2 CD-Rs

At home(or when I am gone for over 4 months):

- 250GB LaCie Drive
- Bose Companion Speakers
- Airport

IVE GOT

incase sleeve from the apple store...
apple bt mouse
iclean (never travel without it)
2 dvd-rs
microfiber cloth

thats it...

at home hp deskjet
saitek 3000 cordless gamepad..

samsonite case, lacie hard drive, apple bt mouse, plus all the cables you can imagine. that is enough for most of the time. oh, and i have an extra power adapter from a previous powerbook i had. that has been handy.

of course, i will soon also carry an ipod with me all the time. and i already have a 5MP canon camera, but those are not laptop essentials

JFreak said:

samsonite case, lacie hard drive, apple bt mouse, plus all the cables you can imagine. that is enough for most of the time. oh, and i have an extra power adapter from a previous powerbook i had. that has been handy.

of course, i will soon also carry an ipod with me all the time. and i already have a 5MP canon camera, but those are not laptop essentials

Click to expand...

I have to disagree. The iPod you need for having less powerdrain when you want to listen to music and when you're without a poweroutlet.
And the digicam is for taking pictures of all the cool places you were able to take your powerbook and of course to take pictures of the pb itself.

Diatribe said:

And the digicam is for taking pictures of all the cool places you were able to take your powerbook and of course to take pictures of the pb itself.

Click to expand...

come to think of it, i have had this 1.25GB albook for five months and not a single picture has been taken - i took pictures when i opened the belly of my old crt imac (changed a hard drive) but haven't photographed this beauty

criana said:

That Radtech company has some really great stuff. I get paid how soon?

atari1356,
Is this the lapdesk you got from BB&B

Click to expand...

Yep, that's the one. I use the pouch on the back to hold a pen and calculator.

When just going out and I know where I'm going:

Tucano second skin - will be replaced by foofbag
Poweradapter
iPod or iPod mini
Digital camera - minolta dimage XT - there is always a good photo when you don't take it.


If I'm going a little longer ie a few days:

Modem and ethernet cables
Apple wireless mouse
Griffin powermate
iPod possibly mini aswell

At home:

20" cinema display
Apple wireless keyboard and mouse
Griffin powermate
Lacie 160Gb Porsche external firewire drive
Griffin iCurve
Airport express - when it finally arrives

Brenthaven 12" Professional Bag
MS Intellimouse 4.0
Ethernet Cable
Power Adapter
Silver iPod Mini
Though, all I really need is my Powerbook.

In order of personal importance:

Availability of wireless internet
Extra battery
Brenthaven 15" bag
Noise cancelling headphones
BT mouse
BT keyboard
Cinema Display

On the go:

17" pb
Monolith & Mitre Tom Bihn Bags
Power charger and extention cable
3' Ethernet cord
Logitech MouseMan
Headphone spliter
Mini Jack to RCA converter
Svideo to Video cable
DVI to VGA adapter
Firewire cable

Apparently I travel light!

-Tucano Second Skin Sleeve (inside IKEA Messenger Bag)
-PB Power Adapter
-Mini-DVI->VGA converter (and little plastic caps)
-MacAlly BT Mouse Jr (this fall)

12" Brenthaven bag. (Not sure what the different types are.) My only complaint with it is it has no spot for CD's!
Mini DVI- VGA adapter
iPod USB 2/FW cable
6 foot? cat5 ethernet cable
The small little AC adapter head.

When I want to take my PB, I close it, pull out power, 1 USB, and the mini-DVI. I then remove the thick power cable from the white box, and wrap up the white box, sticking it in my bag. That is a great thing, because otherwise it would be a pain to unplug from my wall every time. I just leave the box out of plain view, but easy to grab.

if im traveling somewhere:

Everything goes in my Gravis Digi Bag, best under-the-radar bag EVER.
1ghz TiPowerbook
Waterfield SleeveCase (for extra padding on long trips. got it before the digi bag though)
30gb 3g iPod (Soon to be 40gb 4g, yipee!)
VX Pocket PC Card Audio Interface
Audio adapters and necessary cables up the arse
1/8" stereo to L/R RCA cord
Sony MDR-V600 headphones
Canon EOS 300D and Tamron 70-300mm lens (on vacations or other outings requiring photographing)

All this fits in the bag quite comfortably together, although i usually dont have all this in the bag at the same given time. ofcourse, it gets a bit heavy also.

(picture of the bag taken with my old Nikon Coolpix 4300) [MORE]

If you have a 12" PB or iBook I would suggest one of the leather portfolios that handles legal sized paper. Get the Radtech sleeve or make your own to prevent scratches.

Other than that I would suggest:

- BT mouse and keyboard
- an external HDD for backup
- the Kingston shoulder bag