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Accessories for MacBook (To Use on Desk)

Shaun.P

Shaun.P

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 14, 2003
1,601
24
Omicron Persei 8
Hi all,

I have a new Aluminium MacBook, and I am looking to buy a monitor, keyboard and mouse so I can use the MacBook on my desk.

I have priced the following items:

Dell 2209WA
£198.06
(eBuyer)

Apple Wireless Keyboard
£42.55
(Apple Store)

Logitech V470 Mouse
£35.21
(Amazon)

Apple DisplayPort to DVD-D Cable
£17.25
(Apple Store)

Total: £293.07

I was thinking about a laptop stand, but I think this is unnecessary as I don't require the laptop to be at the same height as the monitor.

The monitor and mouse get fantastic reviews. The monitor is an IPS panel, which I believe is one of the best? It also comes with a three year warranty :).

Do you have any of these items, or would you recommend something different?
 
Quick question for you:

If this is strictly for desk use, why pay the premiums attached to a wireless mouse and a wireless keyboard? You could save, what, £20 on the keyboard alone? Just wondering if it's worth the cost.

Otherwise, this sounds like a pretty nice setup.
 
scienide09 said:
Quick question for you:

If this is strictly for desk use, why pay the premiums attached to a wireless mouse and a wireless keyboard? You could save, what, £20 on the keyboard alone? Just wondering if it's worth the cost.

Otherwise, this sounds like a pretty nice setup.
Click to expand...

Hi there, thank you for your reply. Is it not strictly for desk use. I am very lazy and I'm usually in bed with my MacBook :p. The MacBook will very rarely leave the house, but I very rarely type at my desk. If that makes sense?

The main use for this is to watch TV shows on it (I do not have a TV in my bedroom) and I suppose when I have some uni work to do, the nice big screen will be good for word processing.
 
miles01110 said:
I like the Logitech MX Revolution mouse over the V470.
Click to expand...

That mouse does get fantastic reviews, but it is a bit more expensive and I'm trying (somewhat) to have everything matching - the white mouse going with the Apple keyboard). I refuse to buy the Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse due to its rubbish reviews, and the V470 seems like a good alternative.

Would you all say that the Apple Wireless Keyboard is good?
 
ShaunPriest said:
I was thinking about a laptop stand, but I think this is unnecessary as I don't require the laptop to be at the same height as the monitor.
Click to expand...

laptop stands also give more desk space because it takes the laptop out of the middle of everything, and because it is elevated it keeps it from overheating as well, so you might want to look into it in the future if you'll be using the MB a lot when it's flat on desk.
 
bobfitz14 said:
laptop stands also give more desk space because it takes the laptop out of the middle of everything, and because it is elevated it keeps it from overheating as well, so you might want to look into it in the future if you'll be using the MB a lot when it's flat on desk.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the information, I will start looking into stands! Do you know if I can use my MacBook when the lid is closed, but connected to a monitor?
 
ShaunPriest said:
Thank you for the information, I will start looking into stands! Do you know if I can use my MacBook when the lid is closed, but connected to a monitor?
Click to expand...

i personally don't own a MB so i don't know exactly, but i believe you can change the settings so that you can, but then again i don't know. you're better off asking some one else:eek:

EDIT: a lot of people with MacBooks tend to have this stand, as far as i know it works with the Aluminum MacBooks, i'd double check though!
 
bobfitz14 said:
i personally don't own a MB so i don't know exactly, but i believe you can change the settings so that you can, but then again i don't know. you're better off asking some one else:eek:

EDIT: a lot of people with MacBooks tend to have this stand, as far as i know it works with the Aluminum MacBooks, i'd double check though!
Click to expand...

Yes, the mStand is gorgeous. But very, very pricey! Around £70.
 
I would also suggest you really seriously consider whether you need that wireless keyboard. I got a wireless mighty mouse last year, though it would be great. But it is a lot heavier to use than a regular mouse, and you will go through a lot of batteries. I eventually went back to a wired mouse, since I was going through a new set of batteries every 3-4 weeks. Not worth it to me.
 
Hi all.

I ended up ordering everything in my original post.

The monitor is fantastic, comparable to the matte MacBook Pro I had before the aluminium MacBook. Brilliant viewing angles and black blacks :).

The Apple Bluetooth Keyboard is working well, but the mouse has not arrived yet. I went ahead with the Logitech V470. It should be here Tuesday, and my setup will be complete.

I think I'm going to leave the stand just now, as I don't feel the need for it in my setup.

Can someone tell me, this monitor I ordered will display a HD signal, if so, what will it be, 1080P/720P?

I am connecting it from DisplayPort on the MacBook to DVI-D. Dell says the monitor has a "1680 x 1050 resolution in widescreen format".
 
That's between 720 and 1080.

Your video software will make the necessary conversions.

btw get a mStand...
 
The Logitech V470 came, and it was rubbish - so I sent it back and got a wireless mighty mouse instead. Much better!

I am looking into the mStand - it's £45 from Amazon which isn't too bad. I'll just need to check out my money situation :).
 
I got the mStand, and the MacBook looks gorgeous on it. One thing though - there is a hole in the stand to filter your cables through. A DVI connecter does not fit through it though... didn't they think why people buy laptop stands? To elevate the screen to use with a monitor?

On they're website they even have a picture of an ACD beside the stand! Grr!
 
ShaunPriest said:
A DVI connecter does not fit through it though... didn't they think why people buy laptop stands? To elevate the screen to use with a monitor?

On they're website they even have a picture of an ACD beside the stand! Grr!
Click to expand...

You can use a DVI to HDMI cable and a HDMI to DVI adapter if it really bothers you.
 
That would mean I would have to use a DisplayPort to DVI adapter, DVI to HDMI cable, HDMI to DVI adapter then a DVI cable to the monitor...

Seems a bit pointless.
 
ShaunPriest said:
That mouse does get fantastic reviews, but it is a bit more expensive and I'm trying (somewhat) to have everything matching - the white mouse going with the Apple keyboard). I refuse to buy the Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse due to its rubbish reviews, and the V470 seems like a good alternative.

Would you all say that the Apple Wireless Keyboard is good?
Click to expand...

Do you go by just reviews? My wireless Mighty Mouse is fine despite everyone claiming it sucks. I'd give it a 4/5 stars because it does get dirty after prolonged use but then again, everything gets dirty over time.

EDIT: Just read a further bit down. Nice choice OP.

JasonA said:
I would also suggest you really seriously consider whether you need that wireless keyboard. I got a wireless mighty mouse last year, though it would be great. But it is a lot heavier to use than a regular mouse, and you will go through a lot of batteries. I eventually went back to a wired mouse, since I was going through a new set of batteries every 3-4 weeks. Not worth it to me.
Click to expand...

Really? For me, the keyboard (wireless, bluetooth) batteries last roughly 2x than the mighty mouse (wireless, bluetooth) batteries.
 
ShaunPriest said:
Hi all,

I have a new Aluminium MacBook, and I am looking to buy a monitor, keyboard and mouse so I can use the MacBook on my desk.

I have priced the following items:

Apple Wireless Keyboard
£42.55
(Apple Store)

Do you have any of these items, or would you recommend something different?
Click to expand...

I believe others have expressed similar opinions but personally I would go with the full, wired keyboard instead of the more expensive blue tooth keyboard without the added numeral pad.
 
SecondDealer said:
I believe others have expressed similar opinions but personally I would go with the full, wired keyboard instead of the more expensive blue tooth keyboard without the added numeral pad.
Click to expand...

Too late! I've already bought it!

I would like to thank everyone for their help and advice in this thread. I have taken some nice pictures of my new setup, so you can see how everything ended up looking!

My Setup
 
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