$500 to blow... what to get for my computing enjoyment.

sporadicMotion · Feb 12, 2009, 11:17 PM

So I've decided I feel like buying something for my computer or an extension there of. I've put a budget on of $500 (CAN) so what would you buy?

I already have...

4 gigs of RAM
320 GB 7200 rpm drive
Mouse & Keyboard
External Monitor
Speakers
External Drive
iPod

I'm considering...

a tablet
screen calibrator
a laptop stand

Any other ideas?

Jack Flash · Feb 12, 2009, 11:24 PM

How about some good software?

sporadicMotion · Feb 12, 2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Flash

How about some good software?

I have pretty much everything I want/need in the software department... but do you have any suggestions?

budkid · Feb 12, 2009, 11:34 PM

-nice stand with apple keyboard and mouse setup
-External hd? need space?
-New monitor?
-macbook hard case

The bamboo tablet looks alright.

sporadicMotion · Feb 13, 2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budkid

-nice stand with apple keyboard and mouse setup
-External hd? need space?
-New monitor?
-macbook hard case

The bamboo tablet looks alright.

I have 2 TB of external space already.
My monitor is more than adequate especially since it's just for my laptop.
I think I'm gonna get a stand regardless.
I'm not a fan of the hard cases.

Do you have any recommendations as to which Bamboo? I don't have a ton of experience with them.

PeterQC · Feb 13, 2009, 12:17 AM

The two bamboo are the sames. They are practically the same, just the case and the marketing is different. The Bamboo is marketed as a mouse alternative, while the fun is marketed for drawing. And you get a wireless batteryless mouse with the Bamboo fun. If you never used a tablet before the 70$ one is the cheapest you can get, but is awesome.

Or, if you're feeling awesomely generous, that's EXACTLY what I need to buy my future MBP... xD just kidding!

Abstract · Feb 13, 2009, 12:37 AM

Saving it and waiting a few months until something comes up.

That, or a netbook.

Bwilky · Feb 13, 2009, 12:47 AM

Donate it to the poor :P Not like poor mac users, but like people with no food.
Or... You could just give it to me. But I think option A is better Karma.

macintologist · Feb 13, 2009, 12:47 AM

A sweet sweet expensive laptop briefcase

iBookG4user · Feb 13, 2009, 12:53 AM

Perhaps a desk, the stands are nice and a laptop cooling pad is good if you find it a bit warm. Also, you could upgrade the RAM to 6GB if you need more.

sporadicMotion · 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abstract

Saving it and waiting a few months until something comes up.

That, or a netbook.

All I typically do is save. I feel like blowing a little money. I rarely splurge and I usually go conservative.

If something comes up that I need, I'll get it anyways... the pros of saving your money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwilky

Donate it to the poor :P Not like poor mac users, but like people with no food.
Or... You could just give it to me. But I think option A is better Karma.

I make donations on a yearly basis... but it's great to see someone mention it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by macintologist

A sweet sweet expensive laptop briefcase

I have a laptop case I'm quite happy with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBookG4user

Perhaps a desk, the stands are nice and a laptop cooling pad is good if you find it a bit warm. Also, you could upgrade the RAM to 6GB if you need more.

I thought about doing the 6 GB but that is something I know the price will eventually drop on and I'll be annoyed that I spent it on that...

Hmmmmm... I have NO idea what to get. I don't get this urge often and I need to jump on it!

SPEND MY MONEY!

Abstract · Feb 13, 2009, 01:10 AM

A printer capable of really large prints?

sporadicMotion · Feb 13, 2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abstract

A printer capable of really large prints?

That's not a bad idea... any suggestions?

lostfan916 · Feb 13, 2009, 01:28 AM

Or maybe a nice desk and chair. Unless you have one of course.

sporadicMotion · Feb 13, 2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostfan916

Or maybe a nice desk and chair. Unless you have one of course.

Yeah, that's where my monitors and desktop machine reside.

uicandrew · Feb 13, 2009, 01:59 AM

save for a rainy day.

or get a tivo with lifetime service

lozanoj83 · Feb 13, 2009, 02:01 AM

How bout a Griffin Elevator
I like it
and it only cost 40
which will still leave you money

or if you want you could buy me a new internal HD

pretty please...
lol

sporadicMotion · Feb 13, 2009, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uicandrew

save for a rainy day.

or get a tivo with lifetime service

it's raining

and I never watch TV... in fact I downgraded my cable and got a 25 mbit connection instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lozanoj83

How bout a Griffin Elevator
I like it
and it only cost 40
which will still leave you money

or if you want you could buy me a new internal HD

pretty please...
lol

I'm probably gonna pick up the elevator regardless. It's pretty shwank. You got lots of storage!

Abstract · Feb 13, 2009, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporadicMotion

That's not a bad idea... any suggestions?

There are quite a few Epsons that will fit the bill. Not sure about US pricing though.

Personally, if I were in the US, I'd consider getting a Kindle 2. I really want a Plastic Logic A4-sized eReader, but that will likely cost way more than $500.

sporadicMotion · Feb 13, 2009, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abstract

There are quite a few Epsons that will fit the bill. Not sure about US pricing though.

Personally, if I were in the US, I'd consider getting a Kindle 2. I really want a Plastic Logic A4-sized eReader, but that will likely cost way more than $500.

That thing is freakin' awesome! Not available until 2010 though... I'm not in the US though, I'm in Canada... and there is a difference

They start in the $1600 dollar range... on a side note, a friend of mine did the new Epson Canada site (that is not up yet)... much nicer than what is currently there

budkid · Feb 13, 2009, 03:13 AM

the pelican cases are hardcore..haha.

GfulDedFan · Feb 13, 2009, 03:24 AM

This is a boring one but do you have AppleCare? It's worth its weight in gold if you develop a hardware problem with your Mac.

g808 · Feb 13, 2009, 03:44 AM

256GB SSD. I love mine. Price has gone up. Was below $500 last week.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231243

sporadicMotion · Feb 13, 2009, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GfulDedFan

This is a boring one but do you have AppleCare? It's worth its weight in gold if you develop a hardware problem with your Mac.

I resell every 6-8 months otherwise I would for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by g808

256GB SSD. I love mine. Price has gone up. Was below $500 last week.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231243

I don't want to sacrifice internal drive space, good idea though... I considered that one.

Syonidism · Feb 13, 2009, 04:44 AM

There is the consideration that you COULD save up for something bigger.

Something harder, better, stronger...

Actually this was a project for me in the past but i was too lazy to do it. However its quite easy and you can DIY in a fairly equipped garage.

Mod your car so that the place where your stereo should usually be, your laptop shall be. (oooh aaaah)

It has many practical uses actually. If you are like me and cant stay OFF the internet and have a gprs card with constant connection, just use that and use it to get navigation software. 15" lcd for a car may look a lot. but believe me itll look really sweet.

however you can also save it up for rainy days also. Never know when you *might* spill something on your precious...

Feb 12, 2009, 11:17 PM	#1
sporadicMotion macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Your girlfriends place	$500 to blow... what to get for my computing enjoyment. So I've decided I feel like buying something for my computer or an extension there of. I've put a budget on of $500 (CAN) so what would you buy? I already have... 4 gigs of RAM 320 GB 7200 rpm drive Mouse & Keyboard External Monitor Speakers External Drive iPod I'm considering... a tablet screen calibrator a laptop stand Any other ideas? __________________ your face > /dev/null
	0

Feb 12, 2009, 11:34 PM	#4
budkid macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2008	-nice stand with apple keyboard and mouse setup -External hd? need space? -New monitor? -macbook hard case The bamboo tablet looks alright. __________________ 2.0GHz Macbook Late '08\|OS X and Vista Business\|30GB 5G iPod\|8GB 2G Touch\|4GB 2G Nano\|
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 12:17 AM	#6
PeterQC macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2008	The two bamboo are the sames. They are practically the same, just the case and the marketing is different. The Bamboo is marketed as a mouse alternative, while the fun is marketed for drawing. And you get a wireless batteryless mouse with the Bamboo fun. If you never used a tablet before the 70$ one is the cheapest you can get, but is awesome. Or, if you're feeling awesomely generous, that's EXACTLY what I need to buy my future MBP... xD just kidding! __________________ [French Canadian User] MacBook Pro: 2.4GHz 2GB Ram 250GB HDD + Apple Keyboard
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 12:37 AM	#7
Abstract macrumors G3 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location Location	Saving it and waiting a few months until something comes up. That, or a netbook. __________________ "Hard? It's supposed to be hard. Hard is what makes it great!" - Tom Hanks.
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 12:53 AM	#10
iBookG4user macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern California	Perhaps a desk, the stands are nice and a laptop cooling pad is good if you find it a bit warm. Also, you could upgrade the RAM to 6GB if you need more. __________________ Super high tech stuff goes here
	0

Feb 12, 2009, 11:24 PM	#2
Jack Flash macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2007	How about some good software?
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 12:47 AM	#8
Bwilky macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2008	Donate it to the poor :P Not like poor mac users, but like people with no food. Or... You could just give it to me. But I think option A is better Karma.
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 12:47 AM	#9
macintologist macrumors regular Join Date: May 2004	A sweet sweet expensive laptop briefcase
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 01:10 AM	#12
Abstract macrumors G3 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location Location	A printer capable of really large prints? __________________ "Hard? It's supposed to be hard. Hard is what makes it great!" - Tom Hanks.
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 01:28 AM	#14
lostfan916 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NorCal	Or maybe a nice desk and chair. Unless you have one of course.
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 01:59 AM	#16
uicandrew macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2006	save for a rainy day. or get a tivo with lifetime service
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 02:01 AM	#17
lozanoj83 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern California	How bout a Griffin Elevator I like it and it only cost 40 which will still leave you money or if you want you could buy me a new internal HD pretty please... lol __________________ iMac 27", 3.4 GHz i7 quad-core, 16GB RAM, 1TB Fusion MacBook Air 1.8GHz i5, 8GB, 128GB iPad 4, 32GB iPhone 5, 64GB
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 03:13 AM	#21
budkid macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2008	the pelican cases are hardcore..haha. __________________ 2.0GHz Macbook Late '08\|OS X and Vista Business\|30GB 5G iPod\|8GB 2G Touch\|4GB 2G Nano\|
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 03:24 AM	#22
GfulDedFan macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Indiana	This is a boring one but do you have AppleCare? It's worth its weight in gold if you develop a hardware problem with your Mac. __________________ Aluminum MacBook 2.4 10.8.2 \| Magic Mouse \| 16GB iPod Touch \| 64GB iPad \| Apple Hi-Fi Do yourself a favor. Use MRoogle first.
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 03:44 AM	#23
g808 macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA	256GB SSD. I love mine. Price has gone up. Was below $500 last week. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231243
	0

Feb 13, 2009, 04:44 AM	#25
Syonidism macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Turkey	There is the consideration that you COULD save up for something bigger. Something harder, better, stronger... Actually this was a project for me in the past but i was too lazy to do it. However its quite easy and you can DIY in a fairly equipped garage. Mod your car so that the place where your stereo should usually be, your laptop shall be. (oooh aaaah) It has many practical uses actually. If you are like me and cant stay OFF the internet and have a gprs card with constant connection, just use that and use it to get navigation software. 15" lcd for a car may look a lot. but believe me itll look really sweet. however you can also save it up for rainy days also. Never know when you might spill something on your precious... __________________ Mac Pro 1,1 3,0 GHz Intel Xeon; 5 GB Ram; Flashed OC 1Gb Sapphire 4890 2010MacBookPro 15''i7 2.66 with 256gb SSD and HighRes Antiglare. DIY's, Projects and Blogly Stuff
	0

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