Help a New PB owner...

[iGary]

OK, so I decided to bite the bullet and Intel-proof myself for a few years by buying a Revision E 15" 1.67GHz PB with a 100GB HDD, 128MB VRAM (run my display), and 2GB of RAM from the refurb store. Got a pretty sweet deal for it.

Question is, what cool little laptop apps and accesories should I look at? I'm getting an incase bag because I love them so much, but what's good for keeping them clean, what apps are good for keeping track of the battery etc.?

Share!

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

MAGASIN. The big one for the PowerBook (I think it should fit any Mac 'book up to 15"), and the smaller for the (wireless?) mouse...

Then you can put the laptop on any uneven surface, like a sofa, bed or your lap...

I use XRG to monitor what's going on in/with my iBook...

 

[wPod]

coconutbattery is great for monitoring battery status. everything else i just use various widgets for that you can find on apple's site. the best piece of hardware i can offer for your PB is a screen protector from radtech i love it b/c it keeps all the keyboard marks from ruining my screen.

 

[iGary]

MAGASIN. The big one for the PowerBook (I think it should fit any Mac 'book up to 15"), and the smaller for the (wireless?) mouse...

Then you can put the laptop on any uneven surface, like a sofa, bed or your lap...

I use XRG to monitor what's going on in/with my iBook...

Thanks, Mith - good stuff.

 

[iGary]

coconutbattery is great for monitoring battery status. everything else i just use various widgets for that you can find on apple's site. the best piece of hardware i can offer for your PB is a screen protector from radtech i love it b/c it keeps all the keyboard marks from ruining my screen.

Good one too - I didn't know the keyboard keys would mar the screen.

 

[gauchogolfer]

I use a keyboard protector from ShaggyMac, and a sleeve from Marware, and both of them are great.

OK, I gotta ask, what's up with the crabs? Must be a Demi-God(ess) thing, I suppose. How am I going to incorporate a crab into my avatar, though? It doesn't exactly lend itself to that.

 

[emw]

OK, I gotta ask, what's up with the crabs?

We're all in bad moods. So shut up about it, okay?

:D

 

[gauchogolfer]

We're all in bad moods. So shut up about it, okay?

:D

It took me a moment to find the white text.

So, where's yours, crabby?

 

[Clix Pix]

OK, so I decided to bite the bullet and Intel-proof myself for a few years by buying a Revision E 15" 1.67GHz PB with a 100GB HDD, 128MB VRAM (run my display), and 2GB of RAM from the refurb store. Got a pretty sweet deal for it.

Question is, what cool little laptop apps and accesories should I look at? I'm getting an incase bag because I love them so much, but what's good for keeping them clean, what apps are good for keeping track of the battery etc.?

Share!

I've got the iLap to keep my PB somewhat elevated and cool when I'm using it on the desk or on my lap and I've got the wonderful RadTech screensavrz that goes between the keyboard and the LCD screen. Great product! Not only keeps the keys from marring the screen, it is handy for wiping the LCD clean when needed. I also have a smaller one that I use with my camera lenses. Of course there's also iKlear if you really run into problems with keeping the PB clean.

Let's see.... oh, yes, I also bought the bluetooth BT Micro wireless mouse, which is small and convenient for when I'm taking the PB somewhere -- fits nicely into the bag. And, yes, there is the Cocoanut battery monitor program, which works nicely for keeping an eye on the battery. I tend to use my PB with the power source most of the time but i do like to use it on battery power at least a couple of times a month, too.

The PB is so nicely balanced; when I first got mine I was surprised to find that it doesn't feel much heavier than my old WIN XP notebook, which is only 4 pounds.

Enjoy your new purchase!

 

[emw]

So, where's yours, crabby?

I like my anger to be kept under the radar.

 

[Clix Pix]

It took me a moment to find the white text.

So, where's yours, crabby?

Look closely.....it's there!

 

[iGary]

I've got the iLap to keep my PB somewhat elevated and cool when I'm using it on the desk or on my lap and I've got the wonderful RadTech screensavrz that goes between the keyboard and the LCD screen. Great product! Not only keeps the keys from marring the screen, it is handy for wiping the LCD clean when needed. I also have a smaller one that I use with my camera lenses. Of course there's also iKlear if you really run into problems with keeping the PB clean.

Let's see.... oh, yes, I also bought the bluetooth BT Micro wireless mouse, which is small and convenient for when I'm taking the PB somewhere -- fits nicely into the bag. And, yes, there is the Cocoanut battery monitor program, which works nicely for keeping an eye on the battery. I tend to use my PB with the power source most of the time but i do like to use it on battery power at least a couple of times a month, too.

The PB is so nicely balanced; when I first got mine I was surprised to find that it doesn't feel much heavier than my old WIN XP notebook, which is only 4 pounds.

Enjoy your new purchase!

OK so looks like I need one of those keyboard protector thingies and something to elevate it a bit. I already have the wireless mouse form my PM - I can use that.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Look closely.....it's there!

Thanks Clix, I should have known that some people might be more subtle than, say, iGary

 

[Jaffa Cake]

OK, I gotta ask, what's up with the crabs?

What crabs? Where?

 

[Josias]

Have any people not using those screen protectors thingies had problems with scratched screens? I will do anything to preserve my forthcoming mac from anything. Im gonna get a water and grease proof neoprene sleeve.

 

[gauchogolfer]

What crabs? Where?

Nowhere.......(nice claws)

 

[emw]

Question is, what cool little laptop apps and accesories should I look at?

First and foremost - congrats on the new PB!

As for accessories, well, I've had my TiBook for 4 years now. Granted, it doesn't have some of the features of the newer 'Books, including the ability to monitor CPU temperature, but if it did, I'd find me a CPU Temperature Indicator of some type.

Also, I've invested in an external HD, which I think is key for any portable device. Not only in case the thing falls off a cliff, but in case it gets stolen.

Oh, and while you're monitoring battery life with something like XBattery, go out and get a spare. You probably won't regret it if you travel.

I also love to have my iSight with me. Since you bought the last non-iSight PB, toting around the classic camera can be a bonus if you like to do any video chats on the road, like I do.

Have any people not using those screen protectors thingies had problems with scratched screens?

I've never had a protector for my TiBook. Now, I don't know if it's a bigger issue with the AlBook or the MBP, but although I've had some issue with "marks" on the screen from the keyboard, I've always been able to clean it off easily with a PDA-type screen cleaning wipe. Don't use a soapy rag.

 

[iGary]

First and foremost - congrats on the new PB!

As for accessories, well, I've had my TiBook for 4 years now. Granted, it doesn't have some of the features of the newer 'Books, including the ability to monitor CPU temperature, but if it did, I'd find me a CPU Temperature Indicator of some type.

Also, I've invested in an external HD, which I think is key for any portable device. Not only in case the thing falls off a cliff, but in case it gets stolen.

Oh, and while you're monitoring battery life with something like XBattery, go out and get a spare. You probably won't regret it if you travel.

I also love to have my iSight with me. Since you bought the last non-iSight PB, toting around the classic camera can be a bonus if you like to do any video chats on the road, like I do.

I've never had a protector for my TiBook. Now, I don't know if it's a bigger issue with the AlBook or the MBP, but although I've had some issue with "marks" on the screen from the keyboard, I've always been able to clean it off easily with a PDA-type screen cleaning wipe. Don't use a soapy rag.

Awesome -

I mainly got it because I wanted to be able to shoot on-the-spot QTVR's for restaurants, marinas and other businesses and be able to render them and burn them a disc on the spot. The iBook simply couldn't handle this. I have a friend in England who clocked some of my files and it took about 7 minutes to render, which I think anyone would be willing to wait for (my PM does it in 3 ).

That and I plan to be out on the road a good bit, so I can use the iSight thet sits atop my ACD and rets no use.

As soon as I am not poor anymore, I'll get an extra battery and an external for the PB. I already have one for the PM, but want to use it just for that.

Thanks for all the awesome suggestions.

 

[zelmo]

...Don't use a soapy rag.

<lifts 15" PB G4 1.33 out of sink full of soapy water

iGary, congrats on the PB. I loves me mine all to pieces. I picked up a RadTech screensaver cloth, which is great for protecting the LCD when closed, and even better for wiping down the PB between treatments of iKlear.

 

[kretzy]

First off, congrats iGary!

Personally I've never seen any signs of the keys messing with my PB screen, but I'm sure some kind of protection can't hurt.

As for cleaning I've always used Windex wipes though I'm sure iKlear and similar products work just as well. You'll definitely need something because just about every little bit dirt shows on the screen and the aluminum.

I hope this machine is a little more trouble free then your PM!

 

[Southerner]

iGary

If you don't mind me asking you this - what made you go for the PowerBook rather than the MacBook Pro? Won't this mean you might miss out on some cool stuff in a few years time when Apple lowers their support for PPC and starts concentrating solely on Intel?

 

[Diatribe]

Good one too - I didn't know the keyboard keys would mar the screen.

I don't know but I never had a problem with the keys leaving visible marks on the screen. I guess if there is constant pressure applied on the screen while the lid is closed it might but otherwise I don't think you're going to have a problem.

Just be careful about using it with sweaty hands, as there have been quite a few reports about pitting/corrosion of the palm rests.

 

[iGary]

iGary

If you don't mind me asking you this - what made you go for the PowerBook rather than the MacBook Pro? Won't this mean you might miss out on some cool stuff in a few years time when Apple lowers their support for PPC and starts concentrating solely on Intel?

I make my living in Photoshop and I refuse to use Windows. That's it in a nutshell. That and I'm not really keen on this Intel switch and I want to see how it plays out over the next couple of years.

Oh, and this was 1499, which I couldn't get a MBP for.

 

[Dale Cooper]

iStat is great for monitoring things on your new PB...

 

[joepunk]

Congrats iGary

Personally I've never seen any signs of the keys messing with my PB screen, but I'm sure some kind of protection can't hurt.

My keys have left their mark on my PB screen. So to has the trackpad button. Only happened when it was in my book bag and a book was resting against the PB. I now use either a piece of paper or the screen/keyboard protector that came with it. Have not had a problem since, well except for the white spots (I believe).

Might I suggest you pick up yourself a keyboard protector. Those things that cover the keyboard and helps keep hair and other particles from falling in-between the keys.