Notebook/Laptop accessories

[georgebushmoron]

I've got a notebook/laptop. By the way, what's the difference between a notebook and a laptop? I've never figured that one out.

Anyhow, wondering if you guys know of a good laptop stand and where I can get it. I'm tired of cranking my neck every time I work on my laptop, so would like the stand to prop it up at an angle so I don't have to look so low and the keyboard would be at a decent angle to still be usable. The stand would also have to be portable so I can carry it in my laptop case.

I've seen a couple at London Drugs. One was hyper expensive and not portable at all, it was more like a docking station. Another was made of thin sheet metal with little USB fans in it that were supposed to blow air into the bottom of the laptop. Unfortunately, the stand itself did not give much clearance between it and the laptop so the laptop itself would be pressed just millimeters from the stand surface, giving it no room to breath despite the supplied USB fans. What a shitty piece of engineering marvel.... the back of the laptop sitting on a telephone book would have given it better cooling.

Any ideas?

Also looking for cool laptop accessories....

 

[hargow]

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/icurve/

best thing ever!

 

[georgebushmoron]

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/icurve/

best thing ever!

Thanks, but sorry, wouldn't suit me at all.

1. It is too high, making the keyboard unusable.
2. It is not portable - can not carry it in my laptop case.

 

[hargow]

Thanks, but sorry, wouldn't suit me at all.

1. It is too high, making the keyboard unusable.
2. It is not portable - can not carry it in my laptop case.

i carry mine with me all the time, but then i don't have a thin case handcuffed to my wrist. i find it's a nice height, personally, and i use the keyboard every day. however, as with many things, height is a matter of preference.

best of luck.

 

[gravitas]

I've never figured that one out.

Size.....the term "laptop" was first used when they actually took up your entire lap.....that evolved into "notebook" ~1990 when the footprint got much smaller and was more along the size of a notebook

Anyhow, wondering if you guys know of a good laptop stand and where I can get it.

I'd recommend this model for your desk as it has a port replicator built in so you're not always plugging/unplugging cables when you come and go.
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1632028&CatId=604

You may want to consider this one to take with you while on the move
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1418974&CatId=607

Also looking for cool laptop accessories....

I have alllll sorts of suggestions but need a bit more info....what are you using you notebook for....presentations, sales calls, simply having a PC that you can take with you while traveling, replacement for your desktop PC, etc.

Regardless of what you're going to use it for go wireless. When at home pick up a wireless router so you can surf anywhere in your pad. There are hotspots all over the place now so wireless is also handy if you want to surf while at starbucks, etc.

 

[FuZzYknUckLeS]

I just stick a book or 2 under mine. Works like a damn.
I've always wondered, is it that hard for them to simply make a laptop where the KB tilts? They are a royal fuckin' pain to type on.

 

[sexyndnwomam]

If you are going wireless make sure to secure your network, because anyone with a wireless card and computer know how can get in and use the connection.

 

[Hardatwork]

You might want to check out the Anitec website. It's got some pretty cool stuff and the prices seem pretty reasonable. For example here are some options for cooling you notebook... http://www.anitec.ca/subcategory/88/notebook_cooling/

 

[gravitas]

I've always wondered, is it that hard for them to simply make a laptop where the KB tilts?

just going out on a limb here.....I think you're supposed to use a seperate k/b when you have them in the stand

 

[georgebushmoron]

Size.....the term "laptop" was first used when they actually took up your entire lap.....that evolved into "notebook" ~1990 when the footprint got much smaller and was more along the size of a notebook

Shit... mine's still a "laptop" then. It's a 17" widescreen, sturdy.

I'd recommend this model for your desk as it has a port replicator built in so you're not always plugging/unplugging cables when you come and go.
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1632028&CatId=604

You may want to consider this one to take with you while on the move
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1418974&CatId=607

The first one is no good for me cuz I need to be able to carry it wherever I go. The second one is better but the laptop itself would sit on the surface of it and thus not provide optimum cooling unless the surface of it has big holes. I'll have to have a closer look.

I have alllll sorts of suggestions but need a bit more info....what are you using you notebook for....presentations, sales calls, simply having a PC that you can take with you while traveling, replacement for your desktop PC, etc.

I do some presentations, but most of the time I just work on my own. I hate working at home, there are too many distractions, so instead I go to clients offices or coffee shops.... I am self employed. All the work I do is done on my laptop. I rarely do paperwork of any sort, but I do tend to carry a lot of reading material to do with my job so I need my laptop and accessories to be as portable as possible.

Regardless of what you're going to use it for go wireless. When at home pick up a wireless router so you can surf anywhere in your pad. There are hotspots all over the place now so wireless is also handy if you want to surf while at starbucks, etc.

Yeh, got that.... I intend on hanging out on my sundeck this summer while working and drinking and doing cookdowns. Problem is, the wireless router (D-Link) does not have a compatible re-broadcaster to send the signal further at my place (it is half-strength by the time the signal gets to the sundeck). The Future Shop know-nothings suggested a high-gain antenna, but that's just crap. Also have a proper converter for my car so I can plug in the laptop and drive around town looking for unsecured wireless. You wouldn't believe how many connections you can tap in your car when parked by a high-rise condo in Burnaby.

 

[gravitas]

Here's what you need....

So you can have video chats with with cute chicks...
Logitech QuickCam Pro

I do some presentations

Something like this is paramount. I do a ton of presentations and tend to walk around a fair bit (don't like to just stand behind my PC yammering away) and this is great. The logitech model has the USB antenna that slides into the handheld unit so it packs up neat.
Logitech Cordless Presenter

Other nice to haves

Belkin USB Kit, handy to connect to all sorts of different USB devices as well as telephone and ethernet ports if you don't have access to wireless.

Targus Universal Charger will allow you to charge/run your PC off of AC, auto or airplane power outlets. Comes with a series of common tips but you can order additional types specific to your notebook as well as other devices like cell phones, cameras, pda's, etc

Came this across this notebook/laptop tray and it may be a better fit for you since its larger than the other one I had suggested.

While you may look like a bit of a dork if you're going to be spending time in coffee shops and other public spaces get some sort of security device. Only takes a second for some lowlife to lift your PC.

If you spend much time in hotels that has wired high speed but you don't want to be tethered to the desk get the Linksys Travel Router. Just like all WAP's make sure you turn on the security so other people can't surf on your dime.

Problem is, the wireless router (D-Link) does not have a compatible re-broadcaster to send the signal further at my place (it is half-strength by the time the signal gets to the sundeck). The Future Shop know-nothings suggested a high-gain antenna, but that's just crap.

While I categorically dislike most future shop sales weasels they may be on to something. I added a high gain antenna to my Linksys WAP and it made a marked difference. If you do add one get a model that was designed specifically for your WAP.




And with that I think I've spent enough of your money for now.

 

[gravitas]

evdo system significantly adds to my quality of life.

How could I forget evdo.....absolutely! $50 for the card (w/3 year contract) and $100/month for unlimited usage

 

[FuZzYknUckLeS]

just going out on a limb here.....I think you're supposed to use a seperate k/b when you have them in the stand

Huh?
No shit Sherlock.
I was talking about laptops in general, not in some stand. Not everyone wants to cart some stupid apparatus around with their laptop. And typing on one without something to tilt the thing towards you is a fuckin' pain. So, I was wondering why couldn't they design a laptop where the keyboard portion only tilts towards you at like 10 degs. when you open it, then fold flat when ya close it. Sounds fuckin' simple enuf...

 

[gravitas]

has anyone purchased this product?

I have two (both purchased from tigerdirect.ca) and work well. Only complaint is that with my PC from work the power tip required doesn't actually charger the battery, just provides power for the PC to run. If you buy one and the tip you need isn't inclued you can contact Targus and they'll ship you them for free.

 

[gravitas]

No problems whatsoever. IMO targus usually puts out good shit and the chargers haven't been any different.

G

 

[georgebushmoron]

Any you guys know a good power unit that lets me run my laptop in my car? I have one that is supposed to be 135watts which I plug into my cigarette lighter. Problem is, when I plug in my 17" widescreen laptop into the power unit, the damn thing keeps making this warning sound and the AC power intermits with the DC. Long thing short is, my laptop ends up running on battery on and off with AC power.... which doesn't fit my needs.

I need to run the laptop in the car on AC power cuz the laptop battery is so weak.

 

[shedevil]

I was a little late on this, but there is also one if your laptop is bigger too.

http://www.laptopdesk.net/laptopdesk-ultralitef.html

For your car:

http://store.yahoo.com/shop-laptop/power-car.html

Too bad this company wasn't where you were, awesome deals!
Good gadgets, security etc..

http://www.cbit.ca/mb/index.asp

 

[gravitas]

Any you guys know a good power unit that lets me run my laptop in my car?

Targus Mobile 70 Universal AC/DC Adapter Model # APM10CA

this is the one that works off of AC, car/boat DC and airplane DC