Docking station and other things for XPS m1330

Hey all, I just ordered a m1330 and now I'm looking for some accessories.

First of all, I'm a college student with little room to spare in a dorm and I'm going to need an easy way to hook up all my stuff. Seeing as the m1330 only has 2 USB ports, is there any dock or port replicator that will give me more ports to hook up my printer, speakers, mouse, iPod, etc. but will also charge my notebook? It would be awesome if I could just have to plug/unplug one thing every time I have to go to class or the library. Also, I'm a bit of a neat freak so the less wire mess I have to deal with the better.

Second, my m1330 is coming with the built-in Bluetooth. Does anyone know of some good mice that are bluetooth compatible? I'm not a gamer so it doesn't need to be fancy. If I decide to not go with a bluetooth mouse I will probably get the Logitech V220 mouse.

Also, I'm looking for a backpack. Currently I have a regular L.L.Bean backpack that I find to be extremely bulky and irritating. I'm looking at the North Face Surge backpack, would anyone recommend this? All I will be carrying is my laptop with a few notebooks and a book or two. I'm wondering if it would be easier (and cheaper) to just get a sleeve to use with a regular bag?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

1) There is no dock that can power the M1330. Usually you need a business laptop with a proprietary dock for that. Targus and Kensington make some docks you might like for non-power apps though.
2) Usually MS and Logitech mice are good. Kensington and Targus (again) have good stuff too, but I haven't been a fan of some of the more recent keyboards from K.
3) You probably should get the backpack AND the sleeve for best protection. Check out www.SFBags.com for some of the best form fitting sleeves around.

 

As Greg said:
1.) There is no dock for the M1330 and there will never be one. His suggestion of the Kensington or Targus would probably be your best bet.

Me personally, I have a display riser to hold my 17" LCD monitor up above my notebook and I have it connected to the side of my laptop when necessary. I also use a 4-port USB hub connected to the left-hand side of my notebook to connect my wireless keyboard (soon going to upgrade to Bluetooth when possible)

2. The mouse I use currently is a Microsoft Laser Bluetooth 5000 mouse, it's white on top; and has a black sides and bottom. Feels great in my hand, has a "low-battery" warning light when it gets low. Additionally, it comes with a small black velcro case. The battery lasts pretty good maybe a month or two; not nearly as great as a traditional wireless (with the USB) mouse; but I have two AAA rechargeable batteries always ready to go. Freeing up a USB port; priceles
3. I agree with Greg here. Sleeves are a nice investment sometimes, although sometimes it will bulk up your bookbag or messenger bag because of the added padding.

Before I purchased my M1330; I had a SUMDEX padded laptop sleeve that I had purchased from eBags. It fits the M1330 just fine. Remember, that the M1330 and M1530 both come with sleeves of their own. They fit the laptops, but it's really tight. With little room for anything else on its own.

 

Thanks for your help guys. Since the m1330 already comes with it's own sleeve, I think I'm going to just going to look for some sort of bag. I'm looking for something practical but also stylish. I'm stuck between getting the North Face Surge listed above, or this bag Contour Balance Case. The bag is a bit more of a combination between business and style, and the backpack is a bit more sporty. Can anyone help me out with which one would be better?