SillyDog701

[FrankoSport]

Greetings .....

What accessories do you have attached to your laptop computer? Also, when and where do you use such accessories?

I have never liked the built-in mouse, so I use an external mouse all the time.

If I use my laptop in my home or my office, I will attach an external keyboard.

I guess the next thing I would add-on is a printer, which would be used mainly when I travel.

Thanx-A-Lot, Frank-0-Sport

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.5) Gecko/2008120122 Firefox/3.0.5

[Don_HH2K]

I have a laptop docking station, only because it was cheaper than USB-serial and USB-parallel adapters that were compatible with the x64 versions of Windows. In a way it's nice, because it takes its own power adapter: I can keep the original laptop adapter in my case and leave the dock adapter powering the laptop at home.

I then have an external keyboard and mouse (both PS/2), a monitor (VGA), a printer (parallel), a Visor cradle (serial), floppy drive (USB), capture card (Firewire), flash reader (PCMCIA), and of course Ethernet and phone for the LAN and modem. Usually the flash reader is the only thing that I take with me when I'm off the dock. Most of the time I use the built-in keyboard and mouse, but I'll use the external keyboard (but not the mouse) when I'm writing something long.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0 x64; en-US; rv:1.9.0.3pre) Gecko/2008122118 Minefield/3.0.6pre

[Antony]

Interesting topic.

Well, it depends where I use it.

At home, if using it on my laps (mostly), I use Belkin CushTop as shown in picture below with my Grumpy being the model.

It is very comfortable, once you used it. Well, for me, I tend to use my laptop in the lounge (not in the office with a desk). It also provides a suitable height when I place my MacBook Pro on top of an ottoman.

and Logitech V470 Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebook (Bluetooth)

The benefit of using Bluetooth mouse is that you can save a USB port.

And following items for going out:
Vodafone Mobile Broadband card:

Well, we don't have many Wi-Fi Hotspots (free or not) around in Australia, so I have to bring my own.

Belkin SurgeCube (surge protector)

(I only bring one when I go out, but last time, I bought that many in one go.)

When travelling, it really depends where and how long I would be outside:
For example, I know the CushTop is a bit bulky to carry outdoor, but when go to a town hall and knowing that I would be sitting there for 4+ hours or so, I carry Belkin CushTop, Vodafone mobile broadband, Belkin SurgeCube, extension cable on top of my MacBook Pro.

If I bring my mouse out with me, I also bring my mousepad and a thick cardboard (to put the mouse pad on top).

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10.5; en-US; rv:1.9.0.5) Gecko/2008120121 Firefox/3.0.5

[samelf]

Too many to name, but i'll try.

- Apple Wireless Keyboard
- Apple Wireed Pro Mouse
- Radtech B500 Bluetooth Mouse
- 3 Wireless Broadband ExpressCard
- Griffen Elevator Laptop Stand
- LaCie Rugged Portable Hard Drive
- STM Evolution Bag
- STM Journey Travel Bag (For upto a week's travel)
- Abbrazzio Appollo 9 Backpack & Sleeve
- Additional portable power adapters
- Sennheiser HD280 Pro Headphones
- MiniDisplayPort To VGA Adapter for presentations
- Apple Remote for presentations
- USB Flash Drive

Note, i have many more accessories not listed, however, this is all i could recall whilst sitting at my desk

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10_5_6; en-au) AppleWebKit/525.27.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.2.1 Safari/525.27.1

[Happy Dude]

Umm.

An Acer mouse..
2xUSB Flash Drives (both backed up and synced with each other and placed in seperate locations should something happen)

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.9.0.5) Gecko/2008120122 Firefox/3.0.5

[richard mitnick]

The biggest thing for me is a numeric keypad.

I use a MSFT mouse, and I have a Western Digital 320 gig external HDD for music & video.

>>RSM

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.0.5) Gecko/2008120122 Firefox/3.0.5 ImageShackToolbar/5.0.0

[iJohnE]

Nothing yet, except for a USB mouse and a flash drive.

Anyone know where I could get a laptop dock compaitiable with this:

Model:
IBM ThikPad R61i
Processor:
Intel Pentium Dual-Core Mobile T2390 1.83GHz
533MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)
1MB L2 Cache
Enhanced SpeedStep Technology
Intel EM64T (64-bit capable)
Screen Size:
15.4" WXGA (1280x800) Widescreen TFT Active Matrix LCD
Memory:
2GB DDR-II PC2-5300
4GB Maximum
Optical Drive:
DVD-RW
Graphics:
Intel Mobile GMA X3100 with up to 384MB of shared system memory
Audio:
Conexant CX20549 High Definition Audio
Hard Drive:
80 GB 5400RPM SATA
Networking:
56k Fax/Modem
Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABN 802.11a/b/g/n
Operating System:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional (May be upgraded to Vista, or
Downgraded to 2000 Pro.)
Weight:
6.4 pounds
Brand:
IBM

UserAgent: Opera/9.63 (Windows NT 6.0; U; en) Presto/2.1.1

[iJohnE]

So far, I am only using these:

Dell USB Optical Mouse:



4 Port USB Hub:

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.0.5) Gecko/2008120122 Firefox/3.0.5

[Antony]

Photos of computer accessories I took with me when I travel out.


(not shown in the photo, laptop case, and a laptop bag)

That particular trip was more or less a photographic trip, so I also carried a number of other accessories. (More detail in my blog entry.)

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10.5; en-US; rv:1.9.0.7) Gecko/2009021906 Firefox/3.0.7

[richard mitnick]

For my new Acer Inspire netbook #150-1635, I just bought a seven port A/C powered USB 2.0 hub, a really slim little unit, and a Targus numeric keypad, also a really neat little unit. The hub was about US$30, the keypad US$15. The unit has three USB ports, but they are in bad places, interfering with the use of a mouse.

For my workhorse laptop at work, a Dell M1710, I have a very good and expensive Genovation keypad, but the netbook application just does not justify the expense. That laptop has six USB hubs, all well located.

>>RSM

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.8.1.21) Gecko/20090303 SeaMonkey/1.1.15

[Happy Dude]

Antony: what is Telstras Wireless Internet like? Coverage? Speed?
I know their price sucks... I was thinking of going to Virgin Prepaid Wireless via the Optus 3G network for prepaid internet

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-GB; rv:1.9.0.7) Gecko/2009021910 Firefox/3.0.7 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

[richard mitnick]

Here is my new Acer 150-1635 netbook, outfitted with an external keyboard & monitor, and a decent mouse. you can barely see the computer under the printer stand I am using for the monitor. The computer up up on four Big Pink erasers to add venting.

Here goes...



The keyboard and monitor came with my Dell XPS410 desktop.

I just bought a 16X9 monitor for this rig, only to discover that the Intel supplied video does not support anything but 4X3. So, I found a suggestion to get an external USB video card to provide that ability. I may also get an external USB DVD writer, since the netbook has no optical drive. I mean, it's not a big deal, anything I need to do with a CD or DVD, I can put it on one of my other computers and then copy it across the network.

>>RSM

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.8) Gecko/2009032609 Firefox/3.0.8 ImageShackToolbar/5.0.0 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

[Antony]

Antony: what is Telstras Wireless Internet like? Coverage? Speed?
I know their price sucks... I was thinking of going to Virgin Prepaid Wireless via the Optus 3G network for prepaid internet

If you are going outside of major cities, there are many places where Vodafone and Optus' mobile phone won't even work, and no need to think about 3G network.

In any country area, or anywhere in Tasmania, you will need Telstra's wireless internet. Telstra's speed is quite good actually. I found it faster than Vodafone's 3G (in Sydney).

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10.5; en-US; rv:1.9.0.8) Gecko/2009032608 Firefox/3.0.8

[Antony]

Richard,

Remember to get a good surge protector (a high rating one) for all your computers. I also recommend carry one like Belkin SurgeCube when you take your laptop out.

Here is my new Acer 150-1635 netbook, outfitted with an external keyboard & monitor, and a decent mouse.

It looks like being used as a desktop. Laurent has been using my old PowerBook G4 as a desktop but in closed lid mode, connected to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse. (His PC has been dead for about a year.)

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10.5; en-US; rv:1.9.0.8) Gecko/2009032608 Firefox/3.0.8

[Happy Dude]

words

more words

Yeah, Telstra would win hands down with coverage, but the prices are ... not exactly cheap. Optus is definetly catching up in the coverage AND price department - I'm eager for them to finish their new 900Mhz 3G "YesG" network. It covers even more areas - a lot of rural ones too, so many places (ie my uncles farm) could eventually upgrade from a dialup connection to at least a 512kbps wireless one. Would like to get a "YesG" compatible wireless device soon.


Of course, they could back out at any time.

Time will tell.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-GB; rv:1.9.0.8) Gecko/2009032609 Firefox/3.0.8 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)