Big $$ to burn on accessories

I was gifted an iPad recently. Sadly I'm an anti-apple freak who wouldn't use it anyways. So I'll hopefully be returning or selling it. I estimate that I will get $750-900 for it. Now I can't just keep the cash, as that would be a tacky thing to do with a gift. Instead, I think I should get some laptop accessories. Here's a few of the idea's I have.

-External monitor: 15 - 17" 1600x900, or 1680x1050, 1920x1200, or 1920x1080 *needs to have a really small footprint!*

-speakers: Something with awesome sound, 2.0 or 2.1. Again footprint is important.

-bag - somewhat lightweight. Something I could comfortably run with would be awesome (trying to get somewhere late running, not track and field type running )

-laptop cooler: please please please something that run on AC power. None of that "runs from USB port" stuff. If I do have to get one like that, it's the nc1000 I think.

-anything that you would find useful on your compy desk...

What other things might want to consider, and what models would be good? I'd especially like idea's on accessories I hadn't thought of.

 

Logitech Z-2300's are awesome speakers

Here is the amazon LINK

$118.99 - Less $25 MIR - $93.99 final cost with Free Ship


Cin...

 

Those look really sweet priced right too

 

Yes, that's a very nice price for those! That rebate is only valid thru 5/29/10!

Here is the rebate form w/info: LINK

I wouldn't mind having those..(not an option right now)..

Have you thought about other items besides a External Monitor/Speakers? How about a Mouse? External HD? Laptop Cooler (if needed)? Headphones/Headset? Lappy Case/Sleeve/Bag?

Cin...

 

I'm covered in the mouse department with a microsoft x5 gaming mouse. As far as coolers go, I think a Zalman NC1000 might be brilliant paired with the envy 14, it looks like it lines up perfectly.

Now how about for a bag... I'd like something that's fairly small; if it could fit my envy + a textbook + a few notebooks that would be awesome. I would be ok with a messenger bag, but something that's a sling might be more appealing.

 

for the speakers try giving the razer mako a look they are phenomenal speakers.

as for the cooler i dont think it really matter much since they dont really do that much (in my experience anyway)

for the backpack give these a look
http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/equipment-daypacks-filter-category-laptop

im not sure if you have one already or not but get yourself a sleeve for your notebook also. they are real cheap here
(ive purchased 3 of them from this site already)
http://www.meritline.com/14-Laptop-Sleeve---c-13744.aspx

what about an audio card of some sort? A Game pad?

 

Hmm z-2300 on budget and if you want some punchy bass

Klipsch promedia 2.1 if you can get them (Will probably beat the z-2300 in terms of audio quality from what i hear)

Edifier S730 if you have money to burn, more powerful then the two above, decent rated output and a good coverage of the frequencies. (Reccomended by a friend a few times.)

Remember that your speakers will need time to break in!

I like some of the razer mouses out there, have been really impressed by them, so maybe have a look in that area too! .

External monitor, hmm i dont know whats available to date but i picked up an LGW2234S which is 22" 1680 x 1050 - vga input for £130 when i got it, the pixel density suits size perfectly and the LG pannel is matt, its dull casing doesn't really effect much but the matt screen puts out some real nice colour,

Only problem i've had is voltage shielding the wires (I think.)

Hard to say for bags since i use cheap tesco ones haha.

 

I'm thinking a sleeve might be a god idea, even inside of the bag it could use more insulation. Thanks for the link

 

Get an SSD It's not an "accessory", but it's one of those things that makes a HUGE performance difference.

 

Agree's with Pita. SSD makes the biggest difference in your computer experience other then maybe a nice 46" LED LCD.

 

actually really tempting. The only reason I wouldn't is because of all those steam games that demand being on the same drive. Is there a way around that?

 

Not that I know of. But you can back up the steam folder to an external drive and only install the games you want at a given time. I'm making Steam work pretty well on a 128GB SSD, so if you get a 160GB Intel, you should be pretty well set.

 

Just install Steam on your 2nd drive (if you have one) That is what I do. If not OZC just announced 400 and 480gb SSD drives ( OCZ Technology | About OCZ | | OCZ Technology Introduces 400GB and 480GB Capacities for Vertex 2 and Agility 2 SSD Lineup. Since you have money to burn

 

You install Steam to the external drive, and you don't get any performance boost. Lots of games actually do better on an SSD because textures and such load faster