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How are you setup?

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Just got my first laptop, and I am still trying to figure out the accessories to buy for it. I am living in a dorm room, so I do not have much space, and no comfy chairs. I try not to keep my laptop on my bed due to cooling. I know I want a mouse, and am thinking wireless or BT, but dont know the difference. How comfortable it is in my hand is also a concern. Further, I have heard the scroll beads stop working after a month or two.
I am also trying to decide on whether to buy a keyboard. I dont know where I would use this, but typing on the laptop is a bit uncomfortable. Any suggestions?
Lastly, if I want to lounge and use my laptop, are there any options to keeping it on my lap/bed without it overheating?

Most importantly of all:
How do you set yourself up?
 
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I bought the Logitech mouse/keyboard combo, and have really liked it. I also use a second screen though, so that may make a difference.

I have a MacBook Pro by the way.
 
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In your closet, behind the winter coats.
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13.3" MacBook Intel Core Duo 2GHz, 60GB HD, 512MB DDR2, and the SuperDrive.
I'm just using my Macbook on a small desk. I went out and bought a comfy chair, because I find myself spending inordinate amounts of time on my Mac. As for the keyboard mouse issue, I'm definitely going to have to get a mouse, because I just can't stand trackpads anyway. But the keyboard is fine, to me.
 
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2.33Ghz Core2Duo MacBook Pro /// 2.2Ghz Core2Duo MacBook
I thought that I was going to want to use a keyboard, too, but I don't want one now. I am quite happy with the keyboard on my MacBook Pro, and the trackpad is great when I'm running OS X, because OS X has an "ignore accidental input" feature, but under Windows I have a tendency to bump the trackpad. The only real reason I want a mouse is for games.

As far as limited space, I understand your situation completely. I bought my MacBook Pro for use on a ship, so I rarely have more space available to me than that which I am occupying in my chair. I recommend getting a lap desk of sorts. There are several that have a swing-out that allows the use of a mouse.
 
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13'' Macbook w/ 2Ghz Core Duo, 2GB DDR2, 250GB HD, 10.5.4. iPod Touch.
I just can't get a comfortable feel from those MightyMice, I guess that I really prefer to feel the contours and edges of the buttons that I press.
 
T

todd51

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Throughout most of the day my MBP sits on my desk with the screen saver on when I'm not using it. I bought a cheap optical Logitech mouse to use for when it's on a desk.

For times like these (I'm in bed) I am perfectly comfortable with the trackpad. It's overheating so I wouldn't worry about that. The way I am sitting anyways there is space underneath of it so it'll get air. I wouldn't worry about it overheating when having it in your lap. The fans are meant to kick on if it gets too hot. I usually only surf the internet and listen to music when I'm not on a desk so it's not like I'm doing excessive work anyways.

I do recommend a small comfortable mouse for when it's sitting on the desk in your dorm room though. I used the trackpad for about 2 months before I finally switched to a USB mouse.
 
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I just use the trackpack and keyboard in my macbook and do not use any external devices. Mainly because i dont play any games, if i did i would get an apple mighty mouse, but then i would have the desktop if i was going to do that.
 
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eric


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macbook, lap desk, no mouse, occasional ext hard drive mounted.

382492314_a16ed4528c.jpg


382492312_9f3aa55861.jpg
 
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Mac's
That is beautiful Eric. Where did you get that Lap Desk?? Link???
 
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That is beautiful Eric. Where did you get that Lap Desk?? Link???

yeah seriously... did you build that? if not it had to be pretty expensive.
 
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Caught somewhere in time...
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MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz/4GB/250GB, G4 Cube 450MHz + 17" Studio LCD
I have my PowerBook and Cube on my desk (Cube in corner, PB on the straight desk).

I sometimes take my PowerBook around the house, in the lounge, kitchen or bed and wirelessly access my iTunes library from my Cube.

Here's a pic of my latest setup:
http://flickr.com/photos/20262161@N00/388581056/
 
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Your Mac's Specs
MacBook Air | iPad | iPhone | iPod Classic | iPod Shuffle | no more money
Keyboard would be a waste of money if you can't think where you'd use it.

My setup is just the MacBook and my Apple Bluetooth Mouse (Not the mighty Mouse)

I love the bluetooth mouse and highly recommend it. Also I have to say that I don't think the problem with the Mighty Mouse roller Balls is such an issue as I see these things hooked up to iMacs in places like PC World all the time - they are obviously well used by many many hands and they still seem fine when I come along to have a play.

The Bluetooth mouse I have is pretty neat but I do keep going to use the roller ball which was not available on the mouse I own - so maybe I'll be looking for a bluetooth mighty mouse in the future.

Wireless or Bluetooth?

Bluetooth Mice & Keyboards are work with your Macs inbuilt Bluetooth - using Wireless accesories which are much cheaper to purchase require a sender/receiver unit - this is not a problem - but it is one more thing to carry around - one more USB port in use and one more thing to loose when you're on the move.

However - that said - I have a wireless mouse on my PC and it cost me about £7 including postage and it's been pretty good - even fine for playing games - so if you don't mind having something hooked up to one of your USB ports (this is not really a big issue for most people) then you can buy something quite usable for under £20 - a figure you may not be so bothered about should you loose the mouse or receiver when on the move :)

Official Mouse Thread <- might give you more ideas.
 

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