Comments on: MPU 022: Traveling With Your Mac http://macpowerusers.com/2010/03/mpu-022-traveling-with-your-mac/ Getting the Most from Your Mac Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:20:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Amy Stewart http://macpowerusers.com/2010/03/mpu-022-traveling-with-your-mac/comment-page-1/#comment-872 Amy Stewart Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:08:40 +0000 http://macpowerusers.com/?p=258#comment-872 I'm enjoying listening to your podcasts! I wanted to let you know of a couple of other products I use that you didn't mention I think are great for travelling with your mac: 1) BBP laptop bag: I love this bag. It's a "hybrid" that works as either a messenger or a backpack that rides low and comfortably on your back. It's by far the most comfortable laptop bag I've carried. 2) Targus multi-outlet power adapter: http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.aspx?sku=APS03US This is great because it's extremely small and portable, it has a little surge protector, and the 4 outlets are positioned in such a way as to allow you to plug in larger chargers without a problem. The power cable is also nicely designed at a 45 degree angle, so that it hangs downwards from the wall rather than sticking straight out. Very useful when you have a hard-to-reach power source that is wedged behind a piece of furniture. 3) Mike Gyver modified car/airline/wall travel adapter with magsafe: This is awesome because Mike Gyver has figured out a way to modify his adapters so that they are able to actually CHARGE a Macbook Pro (85 watt) from a 60 watt power source (like a plane or car). If you've ever used the Apple-brand airline adapter, you'll notice it won't charge a MBP; on an overseas flight, your mac battery will slowly drain. But these work perfectly even on low voltage sources. I keep this always in my laptop bag so I can get power from car, plane, or wall from a single adapter. I ordered the Kensington as a refurb, but it looks like he has a few other models now, including the iGo and Duracell. 4) Wacom Bamboo drawing pad: I use this in place of a mouse. Folds flat, works anywhere, great for drawing and Photoshop work, and keeps you from getting carpal tunnel. I bought the cheapest one rather than the more expensive Intuos, because that way i don't worry about it getting banged around when I travel. (note: I tried to put links to all these products, but your spam filter told me I was being "spammy.") I’m enjoying listening to your podcasts! I wanted to let you know of a couple of other products I use that you didn’t mention I think are great for travelling with your mac:

1) BBP laptop bag:
I love this bag. It’s a “hybrid” that works as either a messenger or a backpack that rides low and comfortably on your back. It’s by far the most comfortable laptop bag I’ve carried.

2) Targus multi-outlet power adapter:
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.aspx?sku=APS03US
This is great because it’s extremely small and portable, it has a little surge protector, and the 4 outlets are positioned in such a way as to allow you to plug in larger chargers without a problem. The power cable is also nicely designed at a 45 degree angle, so that it hangs downwards from the wall rather than sticking straight out. Very useful when you have a hard-to-reach power source that is wedged behind a piece of furniture.

3) Mike Gyver modified car/airline/wall travel adapter with magsafe:
This is awesome because Mike Gyver has figured out a way to modify his adapters so that they are able to actually CHARGE a Macbook Pro (85 watt) from a 60 watt power source (like a plane or car). If you’ve ever used the Apple-brand airline adapter, you’ll notice it won’t charge a MBP; on an overseas flight, your mac battery will slowly drain. But these work perfectly even on low voltage sources. I keep this always in my laptop bag so I can get power from car, plane, or wall from a single adapter.

I ordered the Kensington as a refurb, but it looks like he has a few other models now, including the iGo and Duracell.

4) Wacom Bamboo drawing pad:
I use this in place of a mouse. Folds flat, works anywhere, great for drawing and Photoshop work, and keeps you from getting carpal tunnel. I bought the cheapest one rather than the more expensive Intuos, because that way i don’t worry about it getting banged around when I travel.

(note: I tried to put links to all these products, but your spam filter told me I was being “spammy.”)

]]> By: T. J. Lahey http://macpowerusers.com/2010/03/mpu-022-traveling-with-your-mac/comment-page-1/#comment-295 T. J. Lahey Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:46:16 +0000 http://macpowerusers.com/?p=258#comment-295 Thanks for the reminder about the Brenthaven warranty. I have a Brenthaven Metrolite backpack that I love, but one side of the handle has become unstitched so I need to get it repaired. Before the backpack, I used Brenthaven Eclipse sleeve which is very handy for putting into a messenger bag. Like Katie, I bought extra laptop supplies, but I've set them up in my office so I have a second AC adaptor and the monitor adaptor there so I now just need to slide the computer into the sleeve and put that into my bag with my other things. Thanks for the reminder about the Brenthaven warranty. I have a Brenthaven Metrolite backpack that I love, but one side of the handle has become unstitched so I need to get it repaired. Before the backpack, I used Brenthaven Eclipse sleeve which is very handy for putting into a messenger bag.

Like Katie, I bought extra laptop supplies, but I’ve set them up in my office so I have a second AC adaptor and the monitor adaptor there so I now just need to slide the computer into the sleeve and put that into my bag with my other things.

]]> By: Gordon http://macpowerusers.com/2010/03/mpu-022-traveling-with-your-mac/comment-page-1/#comment-239 Gordon Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:56:51 +0000 http://macpowerusers.com/?p=258#comment-239 Great show, folks! I forget how I first hear about the MPU podcast but I've spent the past week or two catching up since episode one. Like Katie, I'm a big Brenthaven fan. I have a backpack case from them that I've been using for years now and it's still in great shape. I just heard the comments from last week. With regards to laptop tracking I've heard of this program but have yet to try it. It's an open source utility to track a stolen laptop, does screen capture, etc: http://adeona.cs.washington.edu/ Again, thank you for the podcast. I've already been convinced to pick up Launchbar, 1Password and Text Expander (once I get my next laptop...I'm between Macs right now). :) Great show, folks! I forget how I first hear about the MPU podcast but I’ve spent the past week or two catching up since episode one.

Like Katie, I’m a big Brenthaven fan. I have a backpack case from them that I’ve been using for years now and it’s still in great shape.

I just heard the comments from last week. With regards to laptop tracking I’ve heard of this program but have yet to try it. It’s an open source utility to track a stolen laptop, does screen capture, etc: http://adeona.cs.washington.edu/

Again, thank you for the podcast. I’ve already been convinced to pick up Launchbar, 1Password and Text Expander (once I get my next laptop…I’m between Macs right now). :)

]]>