Getting PowerBook for School...What else?

1tacklinfoo

I'm going to get a 15" PB for college (fingers crossed for Tuesday, but I can wait until they probably come out in Oct.), and was wondering what else people recommend getting...



wireless keyboard and mouse?

all-in-one printer? (fax/scan/copy)

stand? like an istand or iperch

powerbook lock? (is it even worth it)

extra battery?

screen cover?

a good backpack w/ padding for a powerbook?

anything else??????



Thanks for your help!!!

filmmaker2002

Welcome to the boards...I was in your position a year ago, so here's my advice to you. Hopefully the new Powerbooks will have battery life equal to that of the current ones, if that is the case, I wouldn't worry about an extra battery. I bought one for mine last year, and only HAD to use it a few times. I usually use it when I am sitting on the couch surfing the web all day and my one battery runs out. I also bought a RoadTools Cool Pad Podium thing. Pretty cool and puts the screen at a better height and makes it easier for me to type on. I wouldn't worry about a wireless keyboard unless you plan on hooking it up to an external monitor. I would definitley get a mouse though. I noticed Circuit City has one on sale this week for $10, it's a wireless pocketmouse from Kensington. It's optical and I think you can put the wireless USB adapter IN the mouse itself...pretty cool. As far as an all in one printer, I wouldn't bother. As far as printers go I would DEFINITELY go for the Canon i550 ($100) or the i850 and get a superthin Canon Lide scanner. But if you must get an all in one, STAY AWAY FROM LEXMARK. I can't stress this enough. Their machines are horrible and the ink prices are the highest on the market. I would get a cover for your keyboard if the case design for the PBs doesn't change. The Aluminum ones may be able to avoid keyboard marks on the screen. I was in a single room last year, so I didn't worry about a lock, but if you are in a dorm room with a roommate, I would definitely pick one up. Now for the backpack...I went all out and got the Brenthaven Titanium backpack for like $175. It is the best backpack I have EVER had in my 14 years in school. Fits the Powerbook beautifully, has a removeable sleeve, and is just all around durable with a crap load of pockets for everything imagineable. I literally have a portable production studio with that thing. I guess that about sums it up...good luck with the Aluminum G5 Powerbook with 80 GB HD, DDR400 RAM, and Radeon 9600 video card...ok maybe not, but here's hoping.

agent302

If you're going to be in a dorm environment, by a security cable lock. Laptops have this weird tendency to just walk away (and this is from first hand experience, I know someone who's computer was stolen from his bedroom while he was sitting in the kitchen two doors away). It'll cost you like $30, but it's definitely worth. I use my constantly.



The mouse is an iffier question. I bought one, and I used it initially, but I find that now I only ever use it when playing games. The trackpad is actually pretty nice when you get used to it. The mouse I have is the Kensington Pocket Mouse Pro. It's corded, but the cord is retractable and stows away inside. They make a wireless version too, but I've heard bad things about (MacAddict gave it a 1/5).



Another thing you might consider are a padded case for transporting it around.



Hope this helped.

filmmaker2002

I have that Kensington Pocket Mouse Pro with the retractable cord myself. I like it.

nemesis

I found the coolest backpack yesterday that will fit a 15 powerbook perfectly. It is made by wenger the company who makes swiss army stuff. It has an internal notebook sleeve and it just looks kool. I dont know what its called and they dont sell them online, I found it at staples, its sweet it reds but they also had a blue one. Im getting new powerbook before i go to school too, tuesday better be good!

1tacklinfoo

As far as a PB stand, would you recommend a "dock" type of thing that my PB would "slide" into, so that all of my usb stuff and internet connections could be attached to the dock? Or am I better off just getting that cool looking laptop pad and plugging everything in whenever I have to?



Where did you see the wireless mouse for 10 bucks? was it at circuit city, or on the internet?



Thanks!!!

filmmaker2002

Quote:

Originally posted by 1Tacklinfoo

As far as a PB stand, would you recommend a "dock" type of thing that my PB would "slide" into, so that all of my usb stuff and internet connections could be attached to the dock? Or am I better off just getting that cool looking laptop pad and plugging everything in whenever I have to?



Where did you see the wireless mouse for 10 bucks? was it at circuit city, or on the internet?



Thanks!!!

Circuit City newspaper ad... and online



http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?oid=41508&c=1&b=g



Tough call on the docking station. I have a dock for mine, but I only used it when my TiBook was my main machine. It scuffed up the bottom pretty good and it's pricey at $200. Here's a link to that....



http://www.bookendzdocks.com/bookendz/g4tspec.htm



But I don't use it anymore considering my PowerMac now has everythin hooked up to it. You might want to consider getting a USB hub and plugging all your stuff into that, the you would only have 1 USB cord you would have to plug into your Powerbook. I like my RoadTools Cool Pad...



http://www.roadtools.com/podium.html



The iCurve is ok, but I don't really know how it would work for a 15" since I don't use one.

discstickers

Get a mouse! I find the trackpad too uncomfortable for long-term use. Plus two buttons and a scroll wheel make OS X easier to navigate.



You'll want speakers too. If you already have a stereo see if it takes RCA inputs. If it does you can get a minijack to RCA converter and run your mp3s thru your good speakers.



I bought a lock but I never really used it. It really depends on what your living situation is. Our door was always closed... so there was never a need to lock our stuff down. Plus it was one more thing to attach and reattach.



Does your school have free printing? If so, I'd recommend not getting one. It might be more convenient for you, but everyone else will want to print there too.

matsu

Get a mouse, but WAIT before you buy ANYTHING.



At the very least you'll score an edu discount once you get on campus, and most campuses can do a little better than that for thei own students, on particular models. The Ti is due, and if nothing has happened by sept, you may be able to get some cool free stuff out of your campus store, mebbe a printer, a bag, scanner, extra RAM, etc etc, possible a steep EOL + edu discount (it happens from time to time)

irksomecushion

  

bigmclargehuge

Quote:

Originally posted by 1Tacklinfoo

I'm going to get a 15" PB for college (fingers crossed for Tuesday, but I can wait until they probably come out in Oct.), and was wondering what else people recommend getting...



wireless keyboard and mouse?

all-in-one printer? (fax/scan/copy)

stand? like an istand or iperch

powerbook lock? (is it even worth it)

extra battery?

screen cover?

a good backpack w/ padding for a powerbook?

anything else??????



Thanks for your help!!!

I'd recommend an external HD. That way were something to happen like a computer failure (hey, they happen even with Apple) or a theft, you haven't lost a semester's worth of work.

bodhi

Purchasing advice goes in General Discussion...





Cheers.