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Accessories For Your PowerBook General
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Mac Powerful
Protection For Your Mac Updated 12/1/03 Apple's PowerBooks and iBooks are
incredibly flexible computers, and companies keep coming up
with new ways to take advantage of the versatility of these
Macs. Listed here are reviews of some of my favorite new
accessories for PowerBooks and iBooks. Company: Targus First off, when traveling it's
important to have a good case for carrying and protecting
your Mac and its accessories. The Targus CURC1 case has a
rigid frame, lots of useful storage areas for your
accessories, and a well-designed, padded area for protecting
your Mac. The only thing it
(and all the other cases I've seen) is lacking is a
well-protected compartment for expansion-bay
drives. At 17" x 16" x 9.5", Targus says the
case should meet the carry-on requirements for most airlines
(it's always a good idea to check in advance with your
airline about the latest requirements for carry-on
bags).
Once you have a carrying case for your
portable Mac, most likely you'll want a way to keep it
protected from prying eyes and hands and any potential
thieves. My favorite low-tech antitheft device
is the Targus Defcon TL travel lock. It features a solidly
made combination lock, a vinyl coated stainless steel cable,
a low weight of less than 2 ounces, and a low SRP of $19.95
for a package of two locks. On the high-tech end, Targus offers
the Defcon 3 Remote. This neat little device measures 3.45"
x 2.1" x .63" and weighs only 3 ounces (including the
batteries). The Defcon 3 attaches to your equipment with a
stainless steel cable and can be controlled with the
included keychain remote control unit. You can configure the Defcon to play
any one of six siren sounds, and its motion sensor can be
set to either a low or high sensitivity mode; if the cable
is cut, the siren automatically sounds. The Defcon 3 has a
SRP of $39.99. Company: Kensington Kensington offers the SonicLock as its
answer to users' concerns about protecting their portable
Macs from theft. The SonicLock resembles a combination
padlock and features a motion detector with three
sensitivity settings. The SonicLock weighs about 6 ounces,
and when it's triggered it produces both a loud alarm and a
flashing light. Company: Brooktone While not designed specifically for
your Mac's carrying case, this combination lock is very
compact, srong, and inexpensive. When the openings on the pull tabs of
your carrying case's zippers are large enough for its metal
hook, this lock is a good alternative to the more expensive
Targus Defcon TL. Company: Voltage Valet Voltage Valet's 2CL locks may be the
solution when the openings on the pull tabs of your carrying
case's zippers are too small to accommodate most
locks. These combination locks feature a
fairly long and unusually thin shaft that works with zippers
that are too small for most other locks.
Company: SmartDisk SmartDisk's new FireFly hard drive is
a great accessory for PowerBook/iBook users because it's so
incredibly light and compact! When traveling, some of the suggested
uses for the FireFly include using it for backing up your
portable computer, adding storage capacity to your portable
Mac, and transporting sound and video
files. A full
review of the FireFly
provides much more information about this wonderful little
drive! Company: Apacer Recently, there has been a
proliferation of ultra-lite (less than one ounce) and
ultra-compact USB Flash Memory Drives on the market.
Apacer's Handy Drive stands out because of its comprehensive
set of standard features. For example, when used with OS 8.6 and
9.x, the Handy Drive doesn't require installing a driver.
Additionally, the Handy Drive includes a write-protect
switch, a cover for its USB connector, an activity light,
and flash ROM to facilitate updating its
firmware. Apacer's drive is compliant with the
USB 1.1 specification and comes in capacities ranging from
16MB to 1GB. When testing the drive on a G4/450 that's
running OS 9.0.4, I observed read and write times that
ranged from 300-500KB/sec. Other than occasionally not
mounting unless the computer was restarted, the Handy Drive
worked fine. Street prices start at around $39 for
the 16MB unit and go up to about $1100 for the 1GB unit.
When size and weight matter more than high performance and
cost per megabyte, this drive warrants serious
consideration. If you can accommodate a few additional
ounces and slightly larger dimensions, the SmartDisk FireFly
drive offers vastly superior performance at a much lower
dollar-per-megabyte cost.
The diminutive PocketMouse (the
picture on the left) is a very small (3.5" L x 2.25" W x 1"
H) optical mouse that includes 3 programmable buttons and a
scroll wheel. This mouse is so small and lightweight that
it's easy to pack with your portable Mac. The PocketMouse is designed to work
with the highly customizable MouseWorks software (this can
be downloaded from the Kensington web site). Included with
the PocketMouse is a travel pouch and an attached 3 foot USB
cable. By the way, my G3 PowerBook doesn't have a USB port,
but the PocketMouse works great with my USB CardBus
Card. With a SRP of $29.95, this is both an
affordable and a terrific accessory for your
PowerBook/iBook! At 4.375" L x 2.25" W x 1.5" H, the
PocketMouse Pro (the picture on the right) is considerably
larger than the PocketMouse, though it's still a compact
optical mouse. Part of the extra size of the PocketMouse Pro
is due to its convenient retractable USB cable being stored
inside of the mouse. As with the PocketMouse, it works with
the downloadable MouseWorks software, and it has a SRP of
$39.99. If you've ever needed to use
your Mac on an airplane only to find that your overhead
light doesn't work, you should consider taking a look at
Kensington's USB FlyLight. The FlyLight's adjustable cable
retains its position, and the whole thing weighs less than 2
ounces. Kensington says the FlyLight is stingy with power,
using less than 90 seconds of battery charge for each hour
of use. Another good use for the FlyLight is
when you want to use your computer at night and using a
regular light would disturb someone else. While the
FlyLight's light covers a fairly small area, it can really
help in what would otherwise be a nearly completely dark
environment. My FlyLight has a white LED, but
Kensington also sells a version that has a red LED
(Kensington says this improves night vision). The FlyLight
has a SRP of $19.99. Like the FlyLight, the FlexClip has a
flexible cable that retains its setting. The FlexClip can be
used either with your desktop or your portable Mac, and its
small size and light weight make it a very convenient and
practical item to pack with your
PowerBook/iBook. I use the FlexClip with my FlyLight
since I use a USB CardBus Card with my PowerBook and the
dongle on the CardBus Card won't let me position the
FlyLight. Using the FlexClip, I'm able to anchor the
FlyLight to my PowerBook. A thoughtful feature of the FlexClip
is that it uses rubber guards on the inside of its clips to
prevent the marring of the surfaces you attach it to. The
FlexClip has a SRP of $7.99.
Company: Magellan's Many users don't realize that plugging
their PowerBook's/iBook's modem into the wrong type of phone
line can fry the modem. Also, as is the case when using a
computer at home, a power surge can enter your computer
through the phone line and do considerable damage to your
PowerBook/iBook. The nifty little "Digital Phone Line
Tester" from Magellan addresses both of these potential
problems and also tests for lines that have reversed
polarity. Using Magellan's phone line tester is
both fast and easy. Because the phone line tester is very
light and compact, it's easy to take the unit with you when
you travel. (Please note: while Magellan's phone
line tester provides some protection against electrical
surges entering your portable computer via the phone line,
it's still a good idea to avoid connecting your computer to
a phone line during a thunder storm.)
As you accumulate more accessories for
your Mac, it's easy to find yourself traveling with a morass
of cables that all too often get tangled up with each other.
While the Targus Retractable Telephone Cord doesn't
completely solve this problem, it is a step in the right
direction. Its two, 4 foot cords provide 8 feet
of overall length, and each cord has a RJ-11 connector that
fits standard Mac modem ports and phone line jacks. At a
mere 3" x 2" x .5"and 1.5 ounces, it's easy to carry the
unit in your pocket or your computer's carrying
case. If you need more than 8 feet of
overall cord length, you can use the built-in coupler to
attach an additional telephone cord -- or just get a second
Targus Retractable Telephone Cord! The Retractable Telephone
Cord has a SRP of $14.99. The Targus Retractable Network-ISDN
Cord provides a 7 foot CAT 5 cord (a coupler is not
included) and has a RJ-45 connector which works with either
an Ethernet port or an ISDN port. While this device is
larger than the Retractable Telephone Cord, it's still a
relatively small (4" x 3" x .8") and light (2.8
ounces). The Retractable Network-ISDN Cord
includes a button for easy cord rewind and has a SRP of
$24.99.
Company: Keyspan Keyspan's new USB 4-Port Mini Hub is a
remarkably small device -- it's just 1 cm thick and weighs
only 2 ounces! The Mini Hub couples this ultra-compact size
with very low power consumption which makes it an ideal
companion for your PowerBook/iBook. Additionally, the Mini Hub is fully
compliant with the USB 1.1 specification and works in both
bus-powered and self-powered (a compact power supply is
included) modes. As you can see from the photo, the Mini Hub
even has a (short) built-in USB cable. Each port on the Mini Hub supports 12
Mbps throughput and the hub comes with a five year warranty.
This is one very cool product!
As I find and have time to test
other cool accessories for portable Macs, I'll continue to
update this page.
Cool Accessories For
Your PowerBook Listed below are my
reviews of several accessories I have tested with my G3
PowerBook -- I hope you find them useful when deciding which
accessories to purchase for your PowerBook! The new Podium CoolPad
builds upon the excellent design and quality of the original
CoolPad (still available and reviewed below, by the
way). One cool feature that
is evident from the above picture is that the Podium CoolPad
has the ability to use multiple spacers (each spacer is a
half inch high) to adjust the height and angle of your
PowerBook when it's placed on the Podium. Increasing the air
space between your PowerBook and the Podium improves heat
dissipation, which allows your PowerBook to run cooler
(definitely a good thing) and adds additional thermal
protection to whatever is underneath the Podium
CoolPad. Other differences
between the Podium CoolPad and the original CoolPad include
a new, trapezoidal shape, a slightly larger size, and an
additional 7 ounces (the Podium weighs approximately 15
ounces). Like its predecessor,
the Podium CoolPad pivots, has a high quality "feel" to it,
and is easy to pack in many types of PowerBook carrying
cases. While I wish this model didn't add almost 8 ounces to
the weight of the original CoolPad, it still weighs under 1
lb. and is an excellent product. The Podium CoolPad has
a SRP of $29.95 and can be ordered directly from
RoadTools,
as well as from Outpost.com and other
retailers. The CoolPad lives up
to its name! It is very small (8.25" L x 6.5" W x .4" H) and
reasonably light (about 8 ounces). The small size means that
it fits easily into my PORT carrying case. It is thoughtfully
designed so that when your PowerBook is placed on top of it
the top part pivots, allowing you to rotate your PowerBook
(this is especially useful when you have people looking over
your shoulder trying to get a good view of your PowerBook's
display). By the way, the friction of the pivot point is
sufficient to prevent your PowerBook from inadvertently
moving while still allowing you to easily rotate your
PowerBook. A simple but useful
design element places taller rubber spacers at the rear of
the unit; this gives your PowerBook a comfortable, gentle
tilt while simultaneously providing for better air
circulation under your computer (this assists in keeping
your computer cooler -- a good thing to do). While the CoolPad is
too small (for most people, anyway) to provide a comfortable
insulating buffer between your lap and your laptop computer,
it does prove useful when using your PowerBook on most
surfaces, including airplane food trays. This is a really cool
product that is useful when travelling and when in your
office/home; it literally keeps objects under your PowerBook
as well as your PowerBook itself cooler! The CoolPad sells for
$19.95. More information on the CoolPad is available from
Road
Tools.
LapBottom The LapBottom is
considerably larger (14.5" W x 9.5" L x 1' H) than the
CoolPad, but it is very light due its being made out of a
foam-like material. While I find this
product too thick to be conveniently carried in my PORT
case, its larger size makes it very useful for keeping your
lap cool while using your PowerBook.
The LapBottom's excellent
thermal insulation also is very useful for providing maximum
protection to objects that you place your PowerBook on top
of. However, even though
its design includes a raised area under your PowerBook for
improving airflow, I didn't notice any appreciable lowering
of my PowerBook's temperature while using the LapBottom.
The LapBottom sells
for $25, and more information on the LapBottom is available
from LapBottom
Products. Laptop
Laidback This product allows
you to work with your PowerBook in a reclined position --
definitely a cool idea! The Laptop Laidback is
made out of a combination of solid wood (my test unit was
nicely finished) and a pressed wood type of material that
has a washable surface. While this product is too heavy and
too large to be convenient for most travelling (it may be
disassembled,though), it is easy to move around a home,
office, or other facility. Because the Laptop
Laidback has been designed with joints that pivot, it allows
you to easily adjust its angle and height to a position that
works for your particular situation. (I expect people that
are bedridden will especially appreciate having this
accessory!) Since your PowerBook
rests on the Laptop Laidback and not on you, there is no
problem with your PowerBook becoming uncomfortably hot to
work with, though the Laptop Laidback doesn't help to keep
the PowerBook itself cool. All in all, this is a quality
product and I expect the people that find it meets their
needs will be thrilled by its unique design. The Laptop Laidback
sells for about $89. More information on the Laptop Laidback
can be found at http://laptop-laidback.com/ © 2001-2003 by
Steve Becker. All rights reserved.
by Steve
Becker
Contact Info: 877-482-7487, www.targus.com
Price: $199.99 (SRP)
Contact Info: 800-235-6708, www.kensington.com
Price: $39.99 (SRP)
Contact Info: 800-926-7000, www.brookstone.com
Price: $15 for set of 3 locks (SRP)
Contact Info: 800-247-6900, www.voltagevalet.com
Price: $6 for one lock (SRP)
Contact Info: 941-436-2520, www.smartdisk.com
Price: $299.95 (SRP)
Contact Info: 408-922-2671, www.apacer.com
Price: See review
After having used an optical mouse with
my desktop Mac, I find it really inconvenient and
inefficient to use a Trackpad with my PowerBook.
Fortunately, Kensington offers two excellent solutions for
this situation.
Contact Info: 800-962-4943 ,www.Magellans.com
Price: $19.85 (SRP)
Contact Info: 510-222-0131, www.keyspan.com
Price: $49.95 (SRP)
(These are the products I reviewed last
year)
by Steve
Becker
Original
CoolPad
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