Accessories

After agonizing over it for longer than anyone else, once I'd splashed out $2000 for a wireless laptop setup, buying accessories is easy and fun. Musn't get carried away though (mmm, Amazon, click, click).

First, I found the perfect case for my iBook. I didn't get a small laptop that I can easily put in my lap or on the arm of the couch or anywhere just to lug it around in some hideous monstrosity of a bag. However, it would be nice to carry a few things along. Marware's Sportfolio II was the answer, and Other World Computing had a great price. It's neoprene around a plastic protective shell with a stretchy pocket that easily accomodates my power adapter, mouse, VGA adapter, USB phone cable and some small headphones. There's another one on the back that can't quite hold letter paper, but it could be stuffed when extras are needed. The bottom and side edges are a grippy rubber that makes it easy to hold tight when pulling the iBook out and not slip when setting it down on a table, The laptop compartment has a divider that leaves a smaller part that can hold some letter size documents if you are careful, or a few CDs. The larger laptop holding part fits the iBook snugly and the inner partition is offset enough that it won't try to slide into the wrong part. The zipper only unzips the top part which I like since this is easier than zipping and unzipping 3 sides and having other things fall out as well. The carry strap is detachable with easy clips, and the shoulder pad is flexible grippy rubber as well, so it doesn't slip off your shoulder and it absorbs the shock when you are walking fast or down stairs.

I picked up the TV video adapter cable, just because it seemed like a neat thing to be able to do. I got the USB cable for my cell phone, I have the iCurve laptop stand, the JBL Creature speakers and an Apple Firewire cable on their way right now. I could have gotten any old 6 to 4 pin Firewire cable, but now I was getting picky about the color and flexibility of the cable. I looked around town, and could not find anything suitable. Most are these thick, stiff, black things that look like they would easily break off the tiny connector while plugged in. Apple's is white, flexible and actually cheaper than anything I found.

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