Your Favorite Macbook/Pro Accessories!

[thenewguy]

Hey everyone,

I just purchased my first Mac, a MBP, and while I wait for it to arrive, I have some accessorizing to do. Main things I'm looking for:

*Case - a skin type case that will thoroughly protect the machine from normal bumping in a backpack and what not. I saw one a friend had that was actually rigid around the rim, that seemed nice. Any suggestions?

*External HD Enclosures - I have 2 250GB SATA drives that I'll want to put into enclosures and connect via Firewire (I assume, over usb?). I haven't seen many firewire 800 enclosures out there - and 400 doesn't seem worth it, as its not much faster than USB 2.0, is it? Any suggestions on sleek looking/quiet enclosures to go with this? I'd rather not break the bank on this one also...heheh.

*USB 2.0 hub - so I Can plug all my desktop peripherals into a hub and then only have one thing to unplug from the computer when I take it out all the time.

*something to raise the computer up to the height of my 20" dell external display. The iCurve looks neat.

And anything else you guys think is essential/fun for a new MBP purchase! Advice away.

 

[vanzskater272]

An external keyboard and mouse would really be good. I think you should get those first.

 

[Pr0jkt]

Defiently invest 25 bucks into the iskin keyboard protector. A lot of hair, eyelashes, crumbs etc... Will make their way under your keys.

 

[ghall]

Defiently invest 25 bucks into the iskin keyboard protector. A lot of hair, eyelashes, crumbs etc... Will make their way under your keys.

Yes, definitaly. I got one for my MBP after I found a piece of chicken underneath my old PowerBook's keyboard. At least, I think it was chicken.....
But yeah, it's a great investment. Which reminds me, I have to clean mine.

Also, I whould reccomend getting a bluetooth mouse.

 

[Infinity]

I just put in an order for a C2D 17" MBP too and anxiously awaiting it to be shipped over but it'll be my first notebook and the first thing on my agenda is a notebook sleeve and bag probably from STM Bags and a notebook protection pack something of the likes from marware which people here seem to recommend.

 

[Cybix]

I bought the Dicota alu case, for 15" machines, it's squeezy but still fits and I can still fit cables, etc. And, it looks pretty gangster...

Also have an STM sleeve, nice, but dont use it much these days.

Get a USB 2 hdd enclosure, should work a treat, or, get yourself a SATA expresscard and run both drives in an external enclosure, of the expresscard. FAST.

I wouldnt waste my time with an external mouse or keyboard. I tried it, I dont use em, the keyboard in the MBP is great to use and feels nice. the trackpad is the best thing in the world, I'm way faster with it than a mouse, esp with the two-finger tapping, dragging, etc... it rocks!

You dont really need any accessories for it, it's just so good already hehe

 

[meepm00pmeep]

An external keyboard and mouse would really be good. I think you should get those first.

agreed. those will keep your MBP in immaculate condition. get a sleeve and a sturdy bag also. the rest can wait.

 

[kainjow]

If you are going to use it much on a desk, grab an iCurve

 

[thenewguy]

agreed. those will keep your MBP in immaculate condition. get a sleeve and a sturdy bag also. the rest can wait.

I already have an external keyboard and mouse, so I'm all set there.

I'd love to hear more recomendations about cases. I've never heard of this second skin keyboard thing. I'll into that.

 

[thenewguy]

http://www.iskin.com/store/i2shop_ptmb.tpl?cart=1161910058568089

is that the iSkin you guys are talking about?

Doesn't that drastically change the typing feel?

 

[vanzskater272]

http://www.iskin.com/store/i2shop_ptmb.tpl?cart=1161910058568089

is that the iSkin you guys are talking about?

Doesn't that drastically change the typing feel?

yeah i was wondering that too and does it slip off easily?

 

[PygmySurfer]

Yes, definitaly. I got one for my MBP after I found a piece of chicken underneath my old PowerBook's keyboard. At least, I think it was chicken......

Didn't you taste it? You shouldn't be wasting perfectly good chicken!

 

[thenewguy]

any more comments regarding this keyboard cover?

 

[Bill Gates]

any more comments regarding this keyboard cover?

I bought this protector: http://www.onlycooltoys.com/index.php?p=product&id=15&parent=0 since it's considerably cheaper. I can't see how there'd be much of a difference between the iSkin and this.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

As I've said before, I couldn't live without one of (the larger one of) these:

[Link]

 

[Unorthodox]

And don't forget a nice sturdy pair of oven mitts.

This place looks like it makes nice bags and sleeves.

 

[thenewguy]

So what sleeves do people use? What backpacks?

Anyone with real life experience with the keyboard protectors? they seem way too invasive to me.

 

[jhande]

I bought the crumpler base-toucher (think that's the name). It is the best backpack I've ever had. Sturdy, good ventilation, and I especially love the fact that the zipper is 'on the back' (hard to explain), making it impossible for anyone to open it while you're wearing it.

Crumplers website sucks, tho'.

 

[Pr0jkt]

http://www.iskin.com/store/i2shop_ptmb.tpl?cart=1161910058568089

is that the iSkin you guys are talking about?

Doesn't that drastically change the typing feel?

not at all, its prolly the best thing out there. Its washable and durable. invest in it!

 

[Bill Gates]

I ordered a keyboard protector from here: http://www.onlycooltoys.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=8&pg=1

It's essentially the same thing for a lot less.

 

[Zic]

*External HD Enclosures - I have 2 250GB SATA drives that I'll want to put into enclosures and connect via Firewire (I assume, over usb?). I haven't seen many firewire 800 enclosures out there - and 400 doesn't seem worth it, as its not much faster than USB 2.0, is it? Any suggestions on sleek looking/quiet enclosures to go with this? I'd rather not break the bank on this one also...heheh

I'm also looking for a 3.5" sata enclosure that supports fw800 for my new mbp. Any recommendations welcome.

 

[MSM Hobbes]

After having my MB for a few months now, and not really acquiring any new accessories, besides the "X-Pad" [ http://www.xpad4laptop.com/ ] which I have found to be very well worth the cost, I thought might be good to revive this thread, esp. after seeing this one too, that might need to be updated for the newer laptops: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/80860/

So, any other suggestions?

Wonder if this kind of thread should be a sticky?

 

[kill-your-tv]

http://www.tombihn.com Hands down for your bag/sleeve/backpack. Awsome staff that interacts with you via there forum. They even sent me a christmas present, a free cable bag made out of cork (sounds weird but its a awsome little bag). I got the "Vertical Brain Cell" (semi rigid sleeve) with a "Smart Alec backpack". Awsome combo. Also shoot for a keyboard cloth http://www.radtech.us/Products/NotebookScreenSavrz.aspx definatly helps keeping your new MBP clean.

 

[Thi]

I got the speck see through case. It is does the job really well and offers more protection than skins. I have to check out the keyboard protector though.

 

[DaLurker]

If you're clean and don't eat around your laptop, there really isn't a need for the skin protector. I used to have one on my 12" Powerbook but found that I prefer the tactile feel of the keys without it. The one I had for my Powerbook wasn't an iSkin though, a cheaper third party chinese product.

I bought an iSkin for my Macbook though because the paint wears off after usage.

I must say I can feel the quality difference between the iSkin and the China keyboard protector. The iSkin was thicker and cleaned more easily/thoroughly.