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Peripheral recommendations for 5660.

post #1 of 18
1/9/03 at 4:46am
Thread Starter 
I thought whilest I wait for my Midnight Blue 5660 to arrive, I'd get some input on which peripherals you have and what I should look at purchasing.

This is what I am considering right now:

1. A backpack for my baby when I carry it around. Am looking at the Targus backpacks right now -- impressed w/ both the look and the lifetime warranties.

2. An external mouse. Don't know if I should go w/ a portable mouse, an optical mouse, or one of those wireless ones. Basically I want something I can use to take w/ me when I go to play Neverwinter Nights at a friend's house or the occasional Morrowind adventure.

3. A Wi-fi card of some kind. Want something that is SIMPLE to configure/use. Like are there any out there that when you just plug them into the card slot that automatically detect wireless internet access points? Would be nice to simply plug in the card and immediately start surfin' the ol' web.

4. A thermal nuclear device. Oops...scratch that. Don't want the United Nations Security Council to find out about that yet ..


Just a few things I'd think about going ahead and purchasing now while I wait for the ColorWare folks to paint up my lappy and send it to me.

(Feel like an expectant parent getting things purchased for the new arrival!)

Thanks,

Joe C.
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post #2 of 18
1/9/03 at 12:45pm
Well, if opinions are what you want, opinions we got!

I have looked all over and the backpack/case I am going to get is the High Sierra one: http://store.yahoo.com/gearlabs/higsieratgea1.html. It is big enough for the largest Sager's, has plenty of room for 'stuff' and doubles as a regular case or backpack, depending on the straps you use.

I had the same thoughts on the external pointing device. I ended up going with a corded Microsoft Intellipoint trackball. I love it. Wireless is ok, but you always need to have an extra set of batteries handy. Mice are good, except for me as I like to take my laptop to my recliner. It is hard to mouse around sitting in one of those. A trackball works great!

I bought the DLink DWL-650+ card to go with my DWL-900AP+. You will have to install the drivers first before you plug in the wi-fi card. I think this is true of any wi-fi card. Then reboot and plug in the card. If you are getting XP on the 5660, it will autodetect any access point close by and give you the option of connecting to it. You may have to mess with the settings if you have enabled encryption, but otherwise it is very hands off.

Let me know if you have any questions.
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post #3 of 18
1/9/03 at 1:58pm
I have a Targus Delux Backpack for my Sony Vaio [ http://www.targus.com/product_details.asp?sku=CDB1 ] and it rocks bigtime. I have more pockets than I know what to do with. I'll be ordering my 5660 later this month, and can't wait to slip that baby into my backpack.

Also, I use a Linksys wireless adapter [ http://www.linksys.com/products/prod...id=36&prid=427 ] with my Vaio. It works great in Windows XP and even 98. I've been pretty happy with both.
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post #4 of 18
1/9/03 at 2:15pm
Why not opt for wireless G

http://www.linksys.com/products/prod...id=36&prid=507

Since this is compatible with 802.11b and you'll be ready for G when it comes out. Anyone know why there's such a huge price drop on this card at amazon.

Linksys WPC54G Wireless 54g PC Card (802.11g)
List Price: $116.99
Buy new: $69.99

Linksys Wireless PC Card
List Price: $69.99
Buy new: $59.95

This makes getting the G version a no-brainer unless I'm missing something crucial
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post #5 of 18
1/9/03 at 2:25pm
As far as mice, I go optical for gaming all the way... even in a recliner I usually just hold the mouse up on the arm and use it there. Lol, it actually works great. At my friend's house I use it on carpet... and if the carpet is to shaggy, I just through a hardcover book down there and put the mouse on it.

Wifi cards will require a driver install once before you plug it in, but once the driver is installed once, you can just slip the card in from then on. Just like with any USB device you periodically plug in. Once the driver is installed the first time, subsequent uses just make the lil "ding" noise and then it says your hardware is installed and ready to use (that's why I love XP, lol).

Best of luck to you! If you're looking at cases that have lifetime warranties, you could check out samsonite as well, I like many of their cases... although they're generally more expensive and harder to find at local stores than targus as far as I've seen.
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post #6 of 18
1/9/03 at 3:14pm
Ok, here's something dumb, but I doubt you would have made the mistake anywhere.

It hit me while I was playing with my new MX700 Cordless Optical from Logitech that I wouldn't be able to use it on the road with my future 5660 because it's base station requires power.

* smacks forehead REALLY loud *

Just a thought. I'm just planning to go ahead and buy a MX500 (The non-cordless model) since I like my MX700 so much ^__^
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post #7 of 18
1/9/03 at 3:31pm
Yeah, you have to remember with those things that their bases require power. I realized that with the 5.1 surround sound headphones... in order to use it, you need to have the base plugged in... Blah...
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post #8 of 18
1/9/03 at 6:25pm
Thread Starter 
Hey, thanks for the great opinions! Keep 'em coming!

I'll probably go w/ the corded optical mouse for now -- then see down the road if I want to upgrade and/or try something else.

I never thought about 802.11G before -- well, I have but I guess I didn't know the availability of them and their compatibility w/ the 802.11B standard. If they are compatiable, sounds like the road to take w/ WiFi in mind.

Adam sez the colorized 5660 is set to ship tomorrow -- can't wait to see my baby in the flesh, so to speak.

Joe C.
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post #9 of 18
1/9/03 at 6:28pm
Quote:
Originally posted by jettajoe

Adam sez the colorized 5660 is set to ship tomorrow -- can't wait to see my baby in the flesh, so to speak.

Joe C.
If we don't see pictures you will be banned! j/k
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post #10 of 18
1/9/03 at 6:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally posted by vanfanel
If we don't see pictures you will be banned! j/k

Heh. Don't worry -- will do my best to get some decent photos taken of it (if not by my primative digital camera, by some other photographic means).

Besides, don't all new parents get lots of photos taken of their new baby?

Joe C.
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post #11 of 18
1/9/03 at 10:28pm
with base station for the mx700 you dont have to have the power plugged in. I was thinkin the same thing about the power so i unplugged the power to it. everything works but you cant recharge it. I found that the mouse lasts for about 3 days straight... i believe i saw somewhere that it wsaid ten but 3 days has been the limit for me (i was using it night and day with 6 hour breaks for sleep) so it would be fine as long as you recharge it every once in a while. but then of course you have the base station to carry around too....

the kreep
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post #12 of 18
1/10/03 at 1:42am
LOL@self.now
I didn't even think of trying that!

Thanks a lot!
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post #13 of 18
1/10/03 at 1:54am

Case...

I ended up ordering this one myself...http://store.yahoo.com/gearlabs/higsieratgea1.html
I cant wait...
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post #14 of 18
1/10/03 at 2:29am
1. No need to consider, especially if you're taking it on the road. Personally, i'd get a hard case if I could afford it, but I think airport security would have a problem with that. Looks like I got a bomb or something in that. But anything to keep the Sager safe.

2. I still haven't seen any use for a wireless mouse on a laptop. But if anyone has a reason, let me know. Optical is the way to go, and I've always been an advocate of mini-mice. mouses. whatever. atek, targus provide those, and targus also provides a wireless mini. For a few good links to previous threads regarding the same issue:
http://sagerforums.com/forums/showth...557&highlight=
http://sagerforums.com/forums/showth...=&threadid=503

3. Seems everyone's got good input on that already. I think 802.11g has a range that's a bit too large. Security problems galore?

4. Really? Are you making your own like I am?

Kidding! Don't hunt me down...yet!
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post #15 of 18
1/10/03 at 2:44am

.g

I heard 802.11g was alot faster though...should be really excellent for wardriv...hey...
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post #16 of 18
1/10/03 at 10:08am
Thread Starter 
Thanks a LOT for the input thus far!

Right now am gonna go with one of those "blue" Microsoft Optical Mice (matches the color of the lappy and everything! Heh.) and definitely will look into getting one of those nifty 802.11g cards.

Still haven't quite decided on what to carry the thing around in yet -- though I do know it will be a backpack-style of case. Something that doesn't scream, "Hey, I gotta laptop here! Steal me!".

Anybody have 1st hand experience w/ some of those backpacks and can tell me how easily a notebook the size of a 5660 will be able to fit in them?

Thanks again,

Joe C.
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post #17 of 18
1/10/03 at 12:29pm
Looks like D-Link's 802.11G products are about to hit the streets.

http://presslink.dlink.com/releases/2003/pr010903b.htm
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post #18 of 18
1/10/03 at 4:20pm
802.11g looks promising but personally I like the combo a/b cards. Especially on college campuses that have either/or/both. That's the case here at UD.
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