Feature: Notebook Accessory Gift Ideas
Last week I sounded the alarm: It's time to begin your holiday shopping. To get you going, I suggested some gift ideas for gadget lovers. This week I've got gift suggestions for the notebook-toting traveler on your list. Plus, for readers who are feeling especially generous, I've included reviews of four new notebooks in the "Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips" section.
Given that it's always later than you think, let's cut to the chase. Here are some notebook accessories I've tried and recommend as gifts.
A Power Adapter for All Your Devices
One thing a road warrior can't get enough of is power, whether it comes from a socket, a battery, a solar panel, or a protein bar. Mobility Electronics' IGo Juice70 ($120) is the best all-around power adapter I've seen for notebooks as well as for other devices, too, such as PDAs and cell phones.
IGo Juice70 is a multifunction auto-airplane-AC power adapter, complete with a blue light that shines when plugged in (and which serves as a comforting night light in unfamiliar hotel rooms). You can connect notebooks and other devices to the IGo Juice70 using dedicated power plugs that cost about $10. That way, if you buy a notebook or other device, you just get a new plug to connect it to the adapter.
I keep my IGo Juice adapter and its various cables and plugs stored in my notebook bag, so I don't have to round up power adapters when I'm heading out the door with my gear.
Instant Wireless Network
Apple's AirPort Express ($129) was designed to wirelessly stream music from a computer to a stereo system--but it's also a portable wireless router. Plug in a broadband network connection cable, do some brief software setup, and you've got a wireless network. With the AirPort Express and my notebook, I had a wireless network up and running in a hotel room within minutes--a cool and convenient thing for business travelers. Read "Make a Hotel Room Wireless" for more on my experiences with the AirPort Express. For the latest prices, go to the PC World Product Finder.
Slender Speakers
The built-in speakers in most notebooks offer only so-so sound quality. To the rescue comes Altec Lansing's new XT1 speaker set ($130) for notebooks. The slender speakers are powered by your notebook's USB port and don't take up much space on a desk or in your suitcase. Yet they pump out rich sound that doesn't distort at the highest volumes. If you need a gift for someone who travels a lot with a notebook and enjoys music, or who gives frequent presentations from their computer, the XT1 speaker set is worth adding to your list.
If your notebook's built-in sound card leaves much to be desired, check out the news about Creative Labs' Sound Blaster PC Card for notebooks.
Rolling Notebook Bags
I've tried several different notebook bags; so far, my two favorites are both wheeled models from Tumi.
Tumi's Wheel-A-Way Boarding Tote ($395) is large enough to hold my 15-inch screen notebook in its main compartment, yet small enough to roll down airplane aisles. Measuring 14 by 12.75 by 8.5 inches, it fits under most airplane seats, which is where I prefer stowing my notebook (as opposed to the overhead bin, which can be difficult to access). There's a zippered sleeve on the bag's backside, so you can slip this bag over the telescoping handle of another rolling bag. For my review of the Wheel-A-Way Boarding Tote, read "Gear Bags."
Tumi's Wheel-A-Way Deluxe Expandable Brief With Computer Case ($595) is actually four bags in one--a rolling briefcase and three bags that fit inside: a padded notebook bag, a small zippered pouch, and an oblong, see-through mesh bag for holding AC adapters and the like. The bag measures 17 by 13 by 8 inches, so it's bigger than the Wheel-A-Way Boarding Tote; it doesn't fit easily under most airline seats, in my experience. But it's quite possible that if you pack lightly for an overnight or two-day business trip, this bag may be all you need.
Admittedly, Tumi's prices are a bit steep. But its products are thoughtfully designed, durable, and stylish--all the elements of a great gift.
Handy Digital Voice Recorder
Digital voice recorders are the digital equivalents of handheld tape recorders and can be both fun and practical. And judging from the high volume of e-mail I've received from readers asking for recommendations, there's a fair amount of interest in them, too. So I'm including Sony's ICD-BM1 digital voice recorder among this year's notebook accessory gift suggestions, and here's why:
- Unlike some digital voice recorders, the ICD-BM1 can capture high-quality stereo up to a 44.1-kHz sampling rate, the same rate that audio CDs use.
- The recorder can transfer recordings to Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition software (included in the box) on your PC. Notes-to-self recorded on the ICD-BM1 can be transcribed into text via NaturallySpeaking, though don't expect 100 percent accuracy; after training NaturallySpeaking to recognize my drawl, I usually get about 85 percent accuracy.
- The ICD-BM1 records onto Sony's Memory Stick flash storage. If something happens to your recorder, and you've removed the memory stick, at least you haven't lost your recordings.
The ICD-BM1 isn't perfect. I wish its hardware controls for fast-forwarding and rewinding recordings were more straightforward. And at about $300, it's expensive (check our Product Finder for the latest pricing). But if you're shopping for someone who gets frequent brainstorms while driving, takes notes at meetings that need to be transcribed, or best of all, loves capturing goofy sounds while on vacation (as I do), the ICD-BM1 is another item for your list.
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