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If you do decide to splurge on a kick ass pointing device, I recommend the Kensington Expert Mouse. It is the best trackball ever made.

They use 220V AC and we use 110V AC. Where do you think you're going to find a charger? You need to get yourself a step down transformer, or you'll never be able to charge the equipment!

Then again, if your GPS receiver is bus-powered (like this one) and if your notebook comes with an auto-voltage power supply (99% of them do), all you'll need for it is an adapter to go from an American plug to whatever you need where you're going (like this, which is supposed to adapt to nearly anything).

(There's a fair chance you'll need transformers for some of the other gadgets you might bring along, but your computer and GPS receiver probably aren't among them.)

What's all this poppycock about phone home software and remote logins and thin clients? This is rather simple...

1a. Buy a MicroSaver with guaranteed replacement from Kensington. As long as you file police report in X number of hours, Kensington will give you up to $1500 of the total cost if it was stolen while on the lock. Make sure she uses it. If it's on her desk, it's tethered.

1a corollary. When she's out, the dorm is locked.

1b. When it's not on her dorm desk, it is either in her hands, on a table or in front of her, or within arms reach. No exceptions. No "I just left it for a minute".

2. As another poster said, make it identifiable easily. Put a ton of stickers on it. Get your dremel out and carve in a name, address, phone number, and mention of reward.

3. Write down serial #s and MAC addresses, keep them on file. Report them to all the nessecary authorities if it's stolen. This includes the campus IT staff - when it comes to finding it by MAC address they can be your best friends. Unlike trying to trace an IP address over the net, they should be able to track the laptop to a physical location quickly if it's plugged into the campus network.

4. Backup. Backup. Backup. Nuff said.

5. If you're really paranoid, get a proximity alarm. Small device attaches to laptop, other device attaches to daughter. She goes too far, it goes off and draws attention.

I've used this mouse for a year and it's been great.

The wireless kensington version is only $50 and has been out for atleast a few years http://www.kensington.com/html/4768.html

It's the Studio Mouse Seen here: http://www.kensington.com/html/4769.html Or Wireless: http://www.kensington.com/html/4768.html As said earlier, they've been making them for years.

It's the Studio Mouse Seen here: http://www.kensington.com/html/4769.html Or Wireless: http://www.kensington.com/html/4768.html As said earlier, they've been making them for years.

But with a 2D touchpad?
http://www.kensington.com/html/4769.html

I like more buttons now, but I used to mouse with the Orbit from Kensington for years and it was the best for FPS games.

http://www.kensington.com/html/4771.html

"Apple used a switching power supply. the first I had ever seen. it was small, and took up no room."

Enter Kensington, whose first product was the "System Saver", a combination muffin fan, external power switch, and surge suppressor. Many of my Apple ][ buds owned one. It kept that Apple power switch from being used all the time, and it helped keep the inside cool (if you had lots of cards then the ribbon cables and their retainers blocked the ventilation slots in back. I knew people that routinely ran their computers with the cover propped open.

(Oh, the Kensington web site brags that they "became the number-one-selling peripheral for the Apple II". This distinction has to go to the M&R Sup-R-Mod, the add-in RF modulator that sold with nearly every machine, thereby circumventing FCC emissions rules.)

THANK YOU !

This is my experience as well. My home iMac mouse died ( crimped a cable ) and I ran with a spare three-button mouse for a while- not a MS mouse, but a very vanilla, small, fairly standard one. It totally pissed off my then-two-year-old son. And yes, he at completely mastered use of the mouse before he turned two- he could hit the exact square he wanted on a color chooser panel with squares smaller than 1/8". By age two. But it turns out he would have found learning to use the computer much more difficult with the three-button scroll wheel mouse so popular among power users.

I suspect most folks who don't like 'no'-button mouse are just used to what they're used to- it's actually a great design, fits well in a wide range of hand sizes, tracks movement very precisely, has and adjustable click response, and is blindingly easy to use.

The three-button scrollwheel mouse is great for power users, but have you ever watched a novice to average computer user work? They never use those extra features. A small percentage of normal users eventually figure out when they can use the scroll wheel, which, be honest, is not always obvious, but even then they frequently won't use it when they could. The right-click? Unless your application ( or OS ) absolutely requires that you use it, it's not used. I'm not saying you don't use it, and maybe you find it productivity-enhancing, but you know what's more productivity-enhancing? Learning ( and having ) keyboard shortcuts so you don't have to take your hands off the keyboard.

I can not believe the attitude people have about mice- a multi-button mouse is not the ideal choice for everyone, probably not even for the majority of computer users. Apple for a long time has targeted the more casual user, and for them I think the single-button mouse makes a lot of sense.

Of course, with all things, I prefer companies to offer their customers options, and I hope you'll be able to order whichever type of mouse you want from Apple in the future. Of course, there's always the possiblity that they'll do what they've done with the Mac mini, and stop shipping you all these standard parts with every machine anyway, under the assumption that you either already have them or will want to order exactly the ones you want ( based on what some companies are selling I'm still unconvinced that's a good assumption ). I personally use a trackpad with extra buttons and a scrolling area ( on a contour keyboard ) at work... but at home, I've yet to find the one-button mouse a burden. It's far from the big deal people seem to want to make it.

I believe this:
http://www.kensington.com/html/4769.html
Is fairly similar to what you are looking for. They have a wireless version too. Never used one, but kensington generally makes good products. I like my one button mouse. :)

Pfft! Three button mouse... C'mon, people, it's the 21st century! Get an 11 button trackball and be done with it!

My wife and I picked up two kensington Iridio mice, which were plug&play without the need to install drivers. The Iridio features two buttons (the right is for the contextual menu) and a scroll wheel (which works great on all apps under OS X). The price was right, and the styling was good (hey, they are being used on Macs, afterall! ;-)

Kensington

My Kensington Expert Mouse does this somewhat already.

It's a large trackball (the size of a billiard ball), and your three middle fingers do curve over it to reach the buttons during normal use. It does have a thumb scrollwheel, going around the circumference of the trackball! This is a very handy feature, and lets you dial through pages extremely fast (faster than you could wiggle your middle finger using an ordinary mouse wheel). It's optical, so it's precise and doesn't have the sticky-wheels problem older trackballs used to have.

Disadvantages:

* No place to rest a wrist (the provided wrist rest is a small little joke). A folded-up old sock fixes this.

* Dodgy Windows driver. (It's marked as "beta", but really is the only choice, since the officially released driver is absolutely ancient.) It really hates my switchbox, and doesn't have any way of regaining synchronization short of rebooting the machine. Works fine in Linux, though, but all the buttons aren't recognized (there are 4 buttons).

* The trackball doesn't track fast enough when rolled at high speed, making it useless for certain applications.

Still, I like it because it does fit my fingers better, and has some of the advantages of this new "horse" mouse.

My Kensington Expert Mouse does this somewhat already.

It's a large trackball (the size of a billiard ball), and your three middle fingers do curve over it to reach the buttons during normal use. It does have a thumb scrollwheel, going around the circumference of the trackball! This is a very handy feature, and lets you dial through pages extremely fast (faster than you could wiggle your middle finger using an ordinary mouse wheel). It's optical, so it's precise and doesn't have the sticky-wheels problem older trackballs used to have.

Disadvantages:

* No place to rest a wrist (the provided wrist rest is a small little joke). A folded-up old sock fixes this.

* Dodgy Windows driver. (It's marked as "beta", but really is the only choice, since the officially released driver is absolutely ancient.) It really hates my switchbox, and doesn't have any way of regaining synchronization short of rebooting the machine. Works fine in Linux, though, but all the buttons aren't recognized (there are 4 buttons).

* The trackball doesn't track fast enough when rolled at high speed, making it useless for certain applications.

Still, I like it because it does fit my fingers better, and has some of the advantages of this new "horse" mouse.

I use a Kensington Optical Elite.

Button 1 = regular click
Button 2 = contextual click
Buttons 1 & 2 = Exposé show all windows
Button 3 = double click
Button 4 = Exposé show application windows
Button 5 = Google

Kensington has a nice deal on a keyboard and mouse for the new Mac mini. The mouse is a two-button scroll-wheel deal.

From a design standpoint, I think the G5 PowerMac are great and the iMac G5 are pretty good too. I do have one suggestion for Apple when creating avant garde designs is not to forget the very basics of ergonomics and usabilty. The power button on the Mac Mini, eMac, iMac G5 are all placed on the back. If you ever walk into a computer lab where the computer isn't switched on, you'll see people confused and scratching their heads on how to switch on an eMac, iMacG4 and will probably occur with the iMac G5and the Mac Mini.

Most slashdotters are aware of the one button mouse is not the only supported mouse for Mac OSX. However, when a visitor to any urban Apple Store curious about Macs try the computers out. They 'might' leave with the impression of Macs as a toy like device because the mouse. In fact this indelible impression of Macs is reinforced when Apple doesn't offer an alternative, unless its an after market add on. Many Mac users I know buy the Microsoft Optical Intellimouse and they make a pretty damn good mouse (give credit where its due folks i.e. Starck mouse). If the Playstation 3 came out tomorrow with a joystick from the Atari 2600 with its single fire button, no kid would want to use one. Even if the game play rocks, the graphics better than reality, and the features mind blowing. The preceived wimpy single fire button game console could hurt sales and this is sort of what does happen with Macs when people see this impressive water cooled G5 PowerMac coming with this single button mouse. This image of Apple is so ingrained that even former Mac OS9 users, some now using Windows or Solaris are amazed that Mac OSX has mutli button and scroll wheel support. This is a mouse I can recommend. I use the extra buttons for Expose and can't live with it. Mouse in a Box Optical Elite

The Plane Quiet Headphones appear to be the same product as the Kensington Noise Cancelling Headphones, with different colours and rebadging.

I've read some very negative reviews of the latter.

I've been quite happy with the Kensington bag [kensington.com] I bought at Circuit City. It has gel and lumbar support and plenty of room to store everything I need when I go mobile. Very durable, too. Cost is $70, but well worth it.

The only complaint that I have about the backpack is that the zippers are sort of crummy. Those problems, however, didn't show up until I'd given it at least 8 or so months of wear. They're still functional, just irritating. Besides that it's awesome. It even fits my 15.4" widescreen!

I got my saddlebag free when I bought a Palm, I think it was about four or five years ago. I didn't have a laptop to use with it, so it just served as a backpack for a while.

However, since getting an iBook I've used it every day for the past two years, taking it everywhere I go. I could probably convince anyone I just bought it last week, it's still in "like new" condition. The parent isn't lying when he says it's VERY durable. If I lost it, or it somehow got torn apart tomorrow, I'd order a new one immediately.

i just picked up one of these (Well technically i got the mac version). They are very nice. it's basically like a laptop keyboard for a desktop. my only complaint is it isn't USB RF wireless. if it was, i would say it's perfect. but other than that it's a slim compact keyboard for around $30-35 on froogle.

It amazes me why they haven't considered making a mouse with this straightened-out version.

You mean like this perhaps?

This is a cool mouse.

This is a cool mouse.

You misunderstand him.

Notice he said "up until the g4 version of the macintosh".

His point was there are several other choices in keyboards made for Macintosh-- e.g. Macintosh keyboards. Like Kensingon has a few, for example. In this case, like many of the keyboards he linked, they're USB. But they have a command key.

Likewise, many generic USB keyboards are usable on mac. Many have magic keystrokes that will turn the windows key or alt into the command key.

Maybe you should read the parent post again.

You misunderstand him.

Notice he said "up until the g4 version of the macintosh".

His point was there are several other choices in keyboards made for Macintosh-- e.g. Macintosh keyboards. Like Kensingon has a few, for example. In this case, like many of the keyboards he linked, they're USB. But they have a command key.

Likewise, many generic USB keyboards are usable on mac. Many have magic keystrokes that will turn the windows key or alt into the command key.

Maybe you should read the parent post again.

You misunderstand him.

Notice he said "up until the g4 version of the macintosh".

His point was there are several other choices in keyboards made for Macintosh-- e.g. Macintosh keyboards. Like Kensingon has a few, for example. In this case, like many of the keyboards he linked, they're USB. But they have a command key.

Likewise, many generic USB keyboards are usable on mac. Many have magic keystrokes that will turn the windows key or alt into the command key.

Maybe you should read the parent post again.

From the Kensington product description page linked in the article:

Guarantees replacement of any locked laptop that's stolen

Sounds pretty specific, huh? ANY locked laptop that's stolen... Which is quite different than what it says when you click the warranty link on the page...

If theft of your laptop computer results from the Kensington Guaranteed Notebook Replacement MicroSaver computer lock being broken or opened by forceful means Kensington Technology Group will pay you the replacement value of your laptop up to US $1,500.00.

It goes on to say:

Kensington Technology Group will NOT be liable if the theft occurred because: ... ... D. The laptop was stolen by any means other than violating or breaking the Kensington brand Guaranteed Notebook Replacement MicroSaver Lock.

Now... that seems pretty vague to me. Are they talking specifically about the locking device? Or are they talking about the entire thing and calling it the Guaranteed Notebook Replacement MicroSaver Lock because that's the name of the product? Vague vague vague...

From the Kensington product description page linked in the article:

Guarantees replacement of any locked laptop that's stolen

Sounds pretty specific, huh? ANY locked laptop that's stolen... Which is quite different than what it says when you click the warranty link on the page...

If theft of your laptop computer results from the Kensington Guaranteed Notebook Replacement MicroSaver computer lock being broken or opened by forceful means Kensington Technology Group will pay you the replacement value of your laptop up to US $1,500.00.

It goes on to say:

Kensington Technology Group will NOT be liable if the theft occurred because: ... ... D. The laptop was stolen by any means other than violating or breaking the Kensington brand Guaranteed Notebook Replacement MicroSaver Lock.

Now... that seems pretty vague to me. Are they talking specifically about the locking device? Or are they talking about the entire thing and calling it the Guaranteed Notebook Replacement MicroSaver Lock because that's the name of the product? Vague vague vague...

I'm now on my 3rd PB 15" (still have 2nd) and I've always been amazed at the batteries. I even was able to get a higher capacity battery from Apple since they jacked up their battery to support a CPU speed bump. I've routinely been able to watch full length movies on DVD when flying cross country and squeeze in a bunch of work with maximum power saving practices (dim screen, etc). Another nice touch is the ability to check the battery strength while the computer is hibernating or off (button and LEDs on battery).

Recently I've also become a big fan of the Kensignton Universal Car/Air Adapter. You can also get a version that works for AC wall power too so you can leave the stock brick at home. The Car/Air one is super light and works with both Empower and cigarette lighter style jacks. I cannot tell you how valuable unlimited DVDs and games are when you need to pacify a kid who can no longer be amused by more preferable diversions. And of course it's always fun when 4 hours into your flight all the other laptop users are looking longingly at your super bright screen while theirs are pitch black.

I'm now on my 3rd PB 15" (still have 2nd) and I've always been amazed at the batteries. I even was able to get a higher capacity battery from Apple since they jacked up their battery to support a CPU speed bump. I've routinely been able to watch full length movies on DVD when flying cross country and squeeze in a bunch of work with maximum power saving practices (dim screen, etc). Another nice touch is the ability to check the battery strength while the computer is hibernating or off (button and LEDs on battery).

Recently I've also become a big fan of the Kensignton Universal Car/Air Adapter. You can also get a version that works for AC wall power too so you can leave the stock brick at home. The Car/Air one is super light and works with both Empower and cigarette lighter style jacks. I cannot tell you how valuable unlimited DVDs and games are when you need to pacify a kid who can no longer be amused by more preferable diversions. And of course it's always fun when 4 hours into your flight all the other laptop users are looking longingly at your super bright screen while theirs are pitch black.

Someone might want to tell Kensington, Microsoft, Logitech, Wacom, etc that their mice don't work with the Mac. Someone might also want to tell apple to stop selling those mice in their online and retail stores...

as for the global menubar, you and Paul Fitts should have a little talk.

I just can't imagine using USB to power a lightbulb.

That's because your imagination is limited I think oyu can also purchase a USB powered fan. Six wire firewire delivers more power, though.

To be fair to the nytimes, the short article was devoted to devices that neglect the "serial" part of USB and use it merely for power distribution.

In order to reduce glare, you may want to look into glare reducing filters and monitor hoods. The filters are extremely expensive but do the job well enough, and the hoods will work brilliantly if the monitor is positioned correctly.

I too would strongly recommend a trackball. Back in 1990, I started to get wrist/elbow/hand problems. On the advice of a coworker, I tried a Kensington trackball. Problems disappeared!

Added bonus: Within a week, I found I had a much greater precision and control over the cursor with the trackball than I ever had with the mouse (at the time I switched, I had been using a mouse for ~4 years).

Since moving to PowerBooks as my primary platform about 5 years ago, I don't use a trackball much. But I still love it when I have the occasional need to do so (these days, it's mostly for vector-graphics).

cheers- raga

Kensington has recently upgraded it's full-sized trackball line with wireless optical and regular optical lines. I would strongly recommend an optical ball over a mechanical one. While I've had Expert Mice for the past 12 years (2 of them, both still working), making them optical fixes any problems with dirty balls not scrolling correctly. They're all terribly comfortable, and use a ball exactly the same size and shape as a billiard ball.

Kensington has recently upgraded it's full-sized trackball line with wireless optical and regular optical lines. I would strongly recommend an optical ball over a mechanical one. While I've had Expert Mice for the past 12 years (2 of them, both still working), making them optical fixes any problems with dirty balls not scrolling correctly. They're all terribly comfortable, and use a ball exactly the same size and shape as a billiard ball.

Here's the product page for this keyboard: link.

Doesn't this lose the main advantages of USB: Devices drawing power from the bus
Someone ought to tell them that the most successfull USB devices are:

• Keyboard light
• Fan, Fan again
• Coffee mug heater
• Vibrating thingy
• Hello kitty USB hub
• X-mas tree
• Germ filter

Doesn't this lose the main advantages of USB: Devices drawing power from the bus
Someone ought to tell them that the most successfull USB devices are:

• Keyboard light
• Fan, Fan again
• Coffee mug heater
• Vibrating thingy
• Hello kitty USB hub
• X-mas tree
• Germ filter

I carry my laptop to work every day and have for 2+ years. It's an iBook, but the advice works for any brand.

1) Good carrying case. I use a Marware Sportfolio II, but get whatever works for you. Just get something with good padding and a shoulder strap. I chose the one I did because it's very light weight to go with my sub-5 lb laptop.

2) A retractable Ethernet cable and a retractable phone cord. When you're in a hotel or on the road or whatever, you'll love these, and they won't get tangled in your bag like a regular cable.

3) VGA adapter cable and AV adapter cable to get your video output onto TVs, projectors, and other places you need to show presentations, do code reviews, etc.

4) A Kensington Flylight is invaluable when you're on an airplane or somewhere dark and need to use your computer.

I hope these suggestions are helpful.

I'd recommend a Flylight. Basically it's a LED hooked up to the power rails on your USB port. It's really useful on flights and car trips. They sell other things that might be useful as well.

Also, take a look at something along the lines of this thing for presentations. They're extremely handy, and have an extra "cool" factor when you leave the podium during your talk.

I'd recommend a Flylight. Basically it's a LED hooked up to the power rails on your USB port. It's really useful on flights and car trips. They sell other things that might be useful as well.

Also, take a look at something along the lines of this thing for presentations. They're extremely handy, and have an extra "cool" factor when you leave the podium during your talk.

I have to put a plug in for the Kensington Saddlebag. It runs about $35-$65. This bag is very nice because it can be carried as a shoulder bag or a cross-the-chest bag or a backpack. Plus it has a very comfortable carrying handle. There's TONS of interior space, enough for me to regularly carry all of the regular laptop accoutrements, geek gadgets (mp3 player, palm and keyboard, cellphone) as well as one or two (BIG) textbooks and a few notebooks.

The biggest bonus, however, is that Kensington will replace it if it's damaged or broken. No questions. I am pretty rough with shoulder straps and one of the shoulder straps came loose, but didn't break. They replaced it even though they considered it "cosmetic" damage.

I've only have one problem with the design. If you overload the outer pockets with gadgets and other miscellany, the bag gets front-heavy and has a tendency to fall over. That can cause huge problems when it's sitting on the edge of a table.

I've had a Kensington Saddlebag for about 8 years now. It's awesome. The best part is that it doesn't look like a laptop bag, so it's less of an inviting target for miscreants, and makes a great briefcase even when you're not carrying your laptop. Kensington has a version that is more like a sport backpack, which might be better suited to your lifestyle. In any case, Kensington's product line is leaps and bounds better than Targus.

I highly recommend a Kensington Saddlebag. It'll fit up to a 16" laptop, with plenty of padding for everyday use, and it looks fairly conservative. I use it in and out of classes, and with a few clicks of the straps, turn it into a briefcase that I can carry to meetings. It reconfigures three ways:
1. Backpack straps
2. Shoulder Strap
2.5 None of the above, straps tucked away in spare pocket.

It expands out to carry several notebooks or textbooks, as well as spare cables, pens, PDA / Calcs, and extra "stuff." I know of at least 5 people that own them that I deal with on a day-to-day basis, and we all recommend them.

The Kensington Saddlebag has been the trusted protector of my various laptops over the years. This thing is indestructible, goes over the shoulder or as a backpack, has a spot for cell phone, pda, and zippered pockets for everything else. It's even big enough to be an overnight bag in a pinch. It's internal padding could be a bit thicker, but I wouldn't travel without a padded slipcase around my powerbook anyway.