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I wonder if there's an Expresscard that can handle the requirements for a monitor or two.
belkin do an expresscard docking station that includes a graphics adaptor.

http://www.belkin.com/highspeeddock/howitworks/
http://computers.pricegrabber.com/docking-station/ m/28171911/

from a quick perusal of the manual ( http://www.belkin.com/support/dl/P75420_F5U273_doc king%20station_mnl.pdf ) it seems it uses the PCI-express part of expresscard for the video and the USB 2 part for everything else.

I'm probably going to get a MacBook Pro later this year, depending on if I can convince myself I really need one (as my three and a half year old 1 GHz PowerBook G4 is still working wonderfully). However, there are two features I'd love to see in a MacBook Pro that would convince me to get one in a heartbeat.

1) Docking station support. Granted, I could use Belkin's ExpressCard-based high speed dock when it's released, but that would limit me to Windows as it doesn't support Mac. Call me lazy, but I'd like to just dock it in when I'm at my desk.

2) An option for a built-in 3G or other broadband cellular wireless. I'm on the road sometimes and it would help to have this ability. Again, I could go with another option, except our provider doesn't have ExpressCard 3G cards out yet.

These aren't dealbreakers, of course, but it would make my life a bit easier... :-)

Just my $.02...

"1. Acquire satellite radio: This would allow apple to sell iTunes over wireless without a computer. Also, satellite radio use digital transmission. iPod can either do built-in transmitter or make it as an accessory. This would allow user to play their iPod on car radio (satellite radio) without wire and without loss of signal quality. I can think of tons of other benefits of Apple-satellite radio merger, but not enough space here. This will also allow wireless song sharing like Zune."

Satellite radio has a high capital cost, high licensing costs, and still not profitable. It would make more sense for Apple to use cellular technology for wireless such as EVDO and Bluetooth for sharing files like Zune. My cell phone already does a better job at wireless transfers to other phones and to my computer using Bluetooth than Zune.

"2. Acquire TiVO or offer similar service. Allow TiVO to download iTunes song and synch with iPod. Agains this will allow people to buy iTunes over broadband without using computer. Also, people can play their iTune songs on home stereo via DVR easily. This would fit in ther iTV or MacMini strategy quite well."

Tivo is dead...It's been on the market for years and still has less than 5 million subscribers and declining especially since DirecTV is no longer using Tivo. There is hope with Comcast though. Besides, iTunes is not a money center for Apple. More likely is iTV/iTunes integration.

"3. iPod remote: Make an iPod remote which looks like iPod nano. It can be synched with real iPod using a computer. Now user can truly do full control of their iPod using this remote control. My biggest problem of current generation of remotes is that I can't select a song, photo, video. I can only do play and then skip it if I don't like it. With a wheel and display, I can exactly select the song and then play. Such a remote should not cost more than 50/60 dollars."

Already available. Not quite the size of the Nano. But what is there to sync on a remote?
http://www.hammacher.com/publish/73001.asp?promo=Q Search&ls=CH#

"4. External memory/battery module for iPod nano: Make an external memory/battery module for iPod which will connect to docking connector. That way, I can expand my iPod nano. How about 8 GB module for $99? Or a 48 hour battery module."

The whole purpose of the Nano is the small size. If you want something larger with a larger capacity, the 30GB iPod is the same price as the 8GB Nano. As far as battery packs there are plenty of them out there....

Rechargeable battery pack that adds 6 hours of video or 10 hours of audio:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process ?Product_Id=282059

Battery pack that uses standard 9V batteries. $29.00 (not a referral link)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007NZQ2W/ref=dp _cp_ob_title_1/002-0578485-3817628

"5. A camera module expansion."

Do you mean something that allows you to transfer photos from your camera to your ipod? Apple sells the iPod Camera connector.

No, and it doesn't run ON linux either. At least not because of Belkin, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a 3rd-party open source driver. It would make a change for Linux to be more compatible than windows.

http://www.belkin.com/support/download.asp?lang=1& download=F8T001_v1&mode=

What we really need to do is to convince Belkin to make this product work on a Mac.

Belkin announced a product months ago

http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/0 1_03_06CableFreeUSB.html

An identical story about the Belkin hub was previously covered. According to an early July report from Belkin, their product is due in September. "... first ever commercial application for UWB ever announced" seemed a little misleading, but I guess it could be technically correct. Wireless USB hubs may be the first announced application of UWB, but seems like Y-E Data did not announce (nor will they ship) the first UWB product.

I thought you meant Ethernet over Power(notice the overwhelming demand bit). Ethernet doesn't have any inherent powering, although it has some unused wires you could in theory use to power a device, but you would need to some funky stuff. Probably a bit ambitious ;) But anyway, I'm looking forward to devices that use EoP since most electronic devices in your home--tv, vcr, dvd player--already need a power plug so might was well piggy back off of that to feed HD. Also some great home-automation features seem really practical with that setup. My whole point is that wireless is most practical for mobile devices and what's the point of watching HD on a 2 inch screen? HD stays wired.

http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/0 1_03_06CableFreeUSB.html

Your usb hub wouldn't be as useless as you think without wires.

Yeah, I had one of those belkin KVM's too. Had an optical mouse with the sensor taped over plugged into it to stop the beeping.

It seems that Belkin have finally realised what a silly idea it was though, and relesed a "No Keyboard" firmware which should sort the problem out. Unfortunately flashing the firmware on one of these things is a pain in the ass, but if you are getting the beeping you might be motivated enough.

http://www.belkin.com/support/download/downloaddet ails.asp?lang=1&download=1300

Wires: the new wireless!

You can analyze spectrums all day long, meanwhile me and my Cat 6 are enjoying gigabit speeds! Thats some fast, fast porn baby!

When you are not a fanboi, why are you parroting this nonsense?

They have cracked into a market where others have tried and failed. 20% (and I'm skeptical of that number but don't have anything to back it up) is nothing to be ashamed of in the timeframe they have done so. They took a risk from an economic standpoint and I think it is an interesting method and I have no doubt they will retain a strong market share.

be it from Atari, Sega,

Where is Atari and Sega? they couldn't hack it (crap, there goes my karma ... )

First the fanbois claimed how it will smash PS3

Only time will tell, since the PS3 hasn't made its appearance yet. Tick, tock, tick, tock ...

Personally I can't stand console gaming You'll have to pry my Intellimouse and my Nostromo n52 from my cold, dead fingers. But anyways ...

You can record on an iPod

iPods come with voice recording straight out of the box? Wow. Belkin must not be getting many sales with its voice recorder.

the iPod is also not tied to iTunes.
Wow? Last time I touched an ipod you couldn't play music on it that wasn't synced via iTunes. I guess now you can use an ipod like a hard drive and just throw your music on it so it can play! When did that change?

the iPods are really quite rugged - and there are thousands of different protective cases available.
I wasn't really debating that at all... but if you wanted to go that route - click here here here... and there're lots more that you could find.

and you appear to be perpetuating these misconceptions.
And you appear to be a mindless fanboy.

I never reboot my OS X systems, except for OS updates.

Lately, I've found I've had to. Problems with the Belkin OmniView SOHO 4-port USB KVMA switch have been causing kernel panics under the latest Mac OS X. I've had the OS go through its multilingual panic because the mouse was jostled while the Belkin was having problems. It then becomes a pain trying to get the Mac to recognize any USB devices on restart.

B&W G3 w/550 MHz G4 upgrade, built-in Firewire ports dead. I need a new machine, but I'm wanting the new desktop to run Final Cut Studio UB with multiple big hard drives.

I'm not sure when it was added, but I can confirm that, at least the $699 G4 Mac Mini has Bluetooth & 802.11[a|b|g] on it... I purchased one about a month ago (woe is me, I would've loved to have gotten the additional USB ports & faster processor, guess I'll live without for a bit), and it's got bluetooth & 802.11 integrated.

I'm still happy with the Mini... it's my first hands-on experience with OS X, and Mac hardware in general... and my impressions so far are:

Wow. Easy to install new software!
Wow. Silent!
Wow. Takes up no space on my desk!
Wow. Burns DVDs!
Wow. UNIX-y goodness on the command line! And is that BASH I spy?
Wow. It supports all my other peripheral devices!

I'm really impressed... and for a total of about $800 (I bought a KVM Switch and a USB + Firewire Hub for it), I have a system about 20% of the size, and 1% of the noise of my old Windows system, and it has all of the functionality that I use on my home system -- email (via Mail), im (adium x), music/ipod (itunes), photo organization (iPhoto), web browsing (firefox & opera), and some other assorted utilities, plus a functional command line for some occasional light-duty perl programming... the only thing I still need is to get a copy of Quicken for OS X so I can do my financial stuff.

I've heard a lot of good things about the Nostromo SpeedPad n52. Seems like a great idea, because I often find that I play with one hand, and I have a hard time reaching the F7 key to trigger Bloodrage while trying to out-manuever a rogue in AV. However, apparently it's not compatible with Intel Macs, so no go yet.

The gamepad is a brain damaged interface for anything except Soul Calibur, Final Fantasy and possibly Mario Tennis. Its pestulence is part of what made Deus Ex 2 so horrible - they replaced a pretty decent drag & drop system with a laughably absurd, static screen where you had about 5 inventory slots total. However, if that had been the only thing wrong with DX2, it would've still been a fine game. The only thing more stupid than porting a PC FPS to console is porting a console FPS to the PC.

Ahhh....Then I think the earlier comment about keyboard macros is apropos. My 2 cents is to run out and buy a Nostromo if the let you install the software. The programming ability of the unit is amazing and it will allow you, once you get used to it to hit one key or a combo of keys to get things done. They are also cheeeeap! I have never tried one over putty, but I would imagine that it would still work. There are also keyboards with memory on them that dont need a software install, the ones I have seen have been godawful in price though. Plus there is macro software out there for windows that seems relativly cheap as well. Just google it
Sera

Strange, considering that FreeBSD has good support for wireless either via ndiswrapper or native drivers. If author's wlan card is based on Belkin F5D7050 v2000 chipset (it would have been useful if he posted more details, it is not that difficult find out which chipset it is based upon), it is supported by the ural driver. On FreeBSD, that is. But then, one of the goals of 6.0 release was to add and improve wireless support - both the native drivers and ndiswrapper.

Indeed you are correct. Belkin have a massive jpg of it here http://images.belkin.com/F5U301/PRN1_F5U301.jpg
Note the DC jack next to the USB ports.

For those people that haven't got the point of this device, it's not so that you can have a dongle on the phone in your pocket, it's so your fixed devices can sit in the corner / another room while you work wirelessly on the laptop etc.

This will be fantastic for people like me who use a laptop because of having a tiny apartment, yet need a stack of external hard drives for all their data. Finally, an end to the risk of accidently pulling the drives off the desk with the cable!

Just a shame it's so ugly...

I have one of a belikin usb periphrial switch: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process ?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=&pcount=&Product_Id=1332 78 that I use for sharing my printer, digital camera, keyboard, and mouse among my 3 computers (linux/linux/windows) and it works great; no software is required.

Recently started using the Nostromo 52 here and I haven't noticed any difference with or without the driver loaded (the machine has 1GiB of RAM though which might make a difference).

I just got it last week but having the keys lined up is indeed more comfortable than the standard "diagonal" keyboard layout. I did have to grab an updated driver because the one that came in the box wouldn't repeat the keypresses (not good in a FPS).
Creating the profiles then takes quite a bit of time. Luckily Battlefield 2 (which is what I currently play) allows Alt-Tabbing to the desktop which makes things a bit less tedious. I still haven't things setup quite right but it already feels better than my plain keyboard (Logitech UltraX)

In Linux, the Nostromo aparently just duplicates whatever keymap is currently loaded (OTOH, it might well be doing the same thing in Windows, I didn't really investigate). I haven't really found a use for it there anyway, unless I manage to create Blender bindings maybe... ;)

I keep seeing these keyboard replacements, and I don't understand why they have to mess with the keyboard at all. There are a lot better solutions. The key layout of a keyboard, while great for typing, I found a little uncomfortable for playing games. So I went out and bought a Nostromo SpeedPad n52 from Belkin. It works fantastic, it doesn't replace my keyboard, and it's extremely comfortable.

I much prefer a secondary control device to replacing my good old keyboard.

I very highly recommend the Belkin Speedpad n52 http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process ?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2071&pcount=&Product_Id=1 57024/ I have both the n52 and the n50 (like all first gen game components its now attached the wife's computer). I cannot recommend this highly enough. After the last LAN party, everyone else was complaining about sort wrists after 4 hours of BF, but the modled shape of the n52 (for the left hand only) fit the bill. All buttons are customizable, but WASD default works well. Thumb sits on 4-way directional arrow keys (for up/down) and within a deft flick to 2 other buttons. I never need to take hand off keyboard/Belkin for any game and just put the keyboard out of the way. Its absolutly made for long gamign sessions.

So you want a programmable keyboard for gaming? One that's ergonomically shaped for your left hand? One that works on PCs and Macs via USB? One that also comes with a mouse-wheel-like device that's also programmable? And has a d-pad positioned correctly (under your thumb), which is itself also programmable?

And costs around $30? And lets you keep your existing keyboard for, you know, typing text?

Then you want a Nostromo N52 from Belkin. Pure gaming heaven.

Between it and my Logitech MX510 mouse, a Mouse Bungee, and LogiGamer, I'm in gaming heaven, and I get to keep my 15-year old IBM Model M keyboard and 15-year old Apple Extended I keyboard for thumping out articles.

Buy a Belkin Nostromo N52 or N50.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process ?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2071&pcount=&Product_Id=1 57024

You can program any key layout you want for as many programs as you want and never have to bother with buying additional keyboard sets for the z-board. I picked mine up for $29.99. That's cheaper than any z-board I've seen anywhere plus the added costs of the "custom" inserts for each game you play. Who needs that.

My current rig has 3 workstations, 3 monitors, 1 pda, 1 cell, 2 ipods all at my desk. Not even endluding NAS, VOIP device, cable modem, firewall/router, switch, wireless access point and the requisite UPS. My soluton for this electronic jungle? (Five) of The ever popular PowerSquid by Power Sentry, (Two) Belkin 10-Outlet Surgemaster Gold, (Two) Cable-Safe's Cable Manager Kit. The combination works well, I'd recommend it.

I use a claw. http://claw.com.au/ It is very cool.
Although I have also looked at the Belkin Nostromo(TM) SpeedPad n52 from http://belkin.com/

It runs a really weird hacked up version of PPC Linux:

admin@TERASTATION:~$ uname -a Linux TERASTATION 2.4.20_mvl31-ppc_linkstation #15 Tue May 31 10:18:19 JST 2005 ppc unknown

An sshd went on there about 16 minutes after it was in the house. Mine's the low-end 4x160 model (not 4x120, as you state). Got it on sale at Fry's for $525. I would have bought two if I could have. But no worries there: when you run low on space, buy four 1.5 TB drives (after all, it's 2009, right?), put them in one at a time, and slowly rebuild your array. It's all XFS, so there's no real practical limit on disk/partition size.

The print server is nice. I have a Samsung QL 6050, it's parallel only. I spent $30 for the Belkin parallel to USB adapter cable and it works like a champ.

It's a very nice appliance. Now that I have ssh access, I have NFS exports. It replaced my home-built 80GB RAID1 box, and I'm glad that I have a storage "appliance" now. That old PC ran really warm and was loud. The TeraStation is very quiet and doesn't seem to get all that hot.

I wish it did remote logging out of the box, though. Also, I'd have liked to see disk quotas. But that's no big deal for a home user.

I'm definitely sticking with the TeraStation over home-built.

-B

Exactly.

Why even bother with buying an expensive keyboard to get programmable keys for gaming when you can buy a USB device that aleady does just that. Plus, you can do custom, complex, toggle-able macros with the software that comes with it--very very handy. I swear by mine.

-Grym

a product such as this can make a real difference. I also get better leverage by using a mini keyboard and putting the mouse up on the keyboard surface rather than using the mouse tray as shown. I've loved the logitech mice I've had over the years, but their keyboards are so large that I don't hassle with them. Logitech, if you're listening, you should make something like the Nostromo N52, but wireless if you want to get a little extra of my money.

I don't know much about mice and keyboards for consoles, but PC gaming in the livingroom rocks. My home theatre speakers are many times better than my computer speakers and gaming on such a big screen is just plain fun.

TW

Belkin's Nostromo SpeedPad n52 on the left hand, Logitech's G7 mouse on the right hand, serious frag death for my opponents....

Sure enough, Belkin does make some "pre-n" stuff:

Wireless Pre-N Router

Brett

Belkin realized this, so they named it after a doomed, alien-infested spaceship instead.

(I own one, and I want to love it, but...)

Huh. You know, that layout makes a lot of sense. It would take getting used to. I probably won't try it since I have a lot of muscle memory invested in one of these weird things... but I see the logic. Thanks for the reply.

Pre-N hardware is available now from manufacturers such as Belkin

After my old ergo died (a fairly generic one I picked up cheaply, but was great and lasted for years), I started searching for a replacement (I didn't want an MS keyboard, mostly because of the dumb function key crap they have now), and found this: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process ?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=100&pcount=&Product_Id=12 3503

There's something else very fishy here. There are already a number of products on the market that do the same thing as both of these products: for example, as well as this.

IIRC, the condition of "prior art" will negate a patent, as will simply not defending a patent in court. Since the patent specifies "an MP3 player" and not "a 60 gig iPod Photo," products which do exactly the same thing for a shuffle or a mini should negate the patent strictly on the enforcemeent clause. By the way, I've bought one of each of these, and they both totally suck. The FM transmitters are basically useless. They do keep it charged, though.

While it looks like it might be kind of cool to try, I will stick with my N52 Speedpad from Belkin. Mine looks to be more comfortable than that.

They are available. Why they are not more wide-spread? I don't know.

which is as simple as popping a wireless mouse adapter that's the size of a USB flash drive into the USB port

You can always get a laptop with bluetooth and a bluetooth mouse and you don't need to plug in a thing :)

Anyone who's had access to both a PS/2 computer and a old-style sun keyboard can tell you that even though it looks like a PS/2 connector, it isn't a PS/2 connector.

I do have both, but I've never tried connecting one to the other. The pinouts appear the same, so I've always considered it a PS/2 port. I never had a reason to connect a Sun keyboard to a PC. :-)

Did you even try the content on that page?

Hmm... old link. The software page still works, but I hadn't realized that all the other links have gone dark. It looks like even the sunhelp links have gone dead. Apparently, Belkin's still got 'em, though.

For those looking for just a USB or FireWire/USB hub made in the Mac mini image:

Belkin's New Hubs for Mac mini
Low-profile hubs designed specifically to match your Mac mini.

Picture 1
Picture 2

For those looking for just a USB or FireWire/USB hub made in the Mac mini image:

Belkin's New Hubs for Mac mini
Low-profile hubs designed specifically to match your Mac mini.

Picture 1
Picture 2

For those looking for just a USB or FireWire/USB hub made in the Mac mini image:

Belkin's New Hubs for Mac mini
Low-profile hubs designed specifically to match your Mac mini.

Picture 1
Picture 2

How long before Apple or a 3rd-party iPod accessory vendor makes a cell phone plug-in for the iPod, (sans the clumsy keypad)? Apple has developed some decent voice recognition software ("iPod: Dial 555-555-5555" or "iPod: Call Bill G."). Contacts could be stored in a playlist. Plug in an iSight for cellular video conferencing. ("Can you see me now? Can you see me now?") Hmmmm....

You might want to check out some of the Pre-N wireless comming on the market.

Pre-N Wireless Router Model WGM124 NETGEAR's Pre-N Wireless Router is the best performing router based on Airgo True MIMO(TM) available with up to 8x the wireless coverage and speed than standard 802.11g.

Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router 800% greater coverage than standard 802.11g - Belkin Pre-N provides the industry's best wireless coverage, extending your range with improved reliability and fewer drops.

They have a shorter life in a "rundown test" where you put the batteries in and leave the power on until they're drained. In real-world scenarios (like how many digital pictures you can take) they do really well.

If you didn't notice, both iPods are female (hence the need to a "dock"). Therefore offspring are not possible without artificial insemination - perhaps Griffin or Belkin can locate a donor?

I've been told that USB/PS2 port adapters (such as from Belkin) work under OSX, but I haven't experimentally verified this myself. You have to do a mental keymap (alt=option, WindowsKey=Command) or buy some stickers, but I've used USB PC Keyboards on Macs with no trouble.

"there is no input device for your own body"
huhhuhhuh.
I would tend to disagree ;)

I agree that the mouse takes you out of the game. I don't like one hand mouse and one hand keyboard.
(Granted, the Nostromo Speedpad n52 eliminates that, but I use mine more for Photoshop, music and video work).

I picked up Freelancer when it first came out and was so dissappointed by the lack of joystick support. Upon reading various message boards, I discovered viscious arguments about joystick/mouse gaming. I would say the game was -fun-, but I want fun AND realism.

I'm a joystick gamer; space combat sims being my lasting love (I suck at air flight - the whole gravity, fall down go boom thing - except for the original Gunship by Microprose). With my Saitek X45 and a good space combat sim, I'm in some semblance of gamer heaven. I NEVER have to touch the keyboard when playing.

Granted, any control system is completely arbitrary. They are designs that suited whatever team that designed them, and thus became the norm in that particular arena. A joystick feels natural to me for flight because it's what I was raised with, with regard to space/flight sims. A mouse does NOT feel natural to me.

Ultimately, what I want is a complete seperation of ship control and viewport control. I'm going to try Freelook soon and try to configure that to control view only (only in a game that allows smooth and continuous view changes)

But now I'm babbling :)