Going to College - Need Accessories for Sager2090 (Compal IFL90)

Hey Guys,

Well now that i have ordered my Sager2090(Compal IFL90) i now have to shop for accessories for this laptop which is where i have some questions. My laptop will be taken with me from class to class and will sometimes have to be left alone for example when i go to the bathroom (im living on campus). I will also be carrying books/other accessories with my laptop from class to class.

My questions:

1. Mouse- I plan on gaming a little in college so i have been looking for a high precision gaming mouse and have set my sights on the logitech g5. I was just wondering from those of you who have tested this mouse out what you like/dislike about this mouse and if there are any comparable wired mice to these (except the razors dont like their feel)

2. Laptop Backpack - My backpack should be capable of holding my laptop safely and yet also being able to hold books/other accesories. I would rather it not be too expensive such as in the 100$+ range and since im completely new to the laptop field i have no idea what any of the good/reliable brands are. Also i have heard that some people are getting laptop sleeves? How are these useful and do you use them in junction with the backpack since shouldnt the backpack be protecting the laptop anyway?

3. Laptop Cooler - I have been seeing some people ask about getting a laptop cooler and I was wondering if this was really necessary/would help noticeably. I do plan on gaming on this laptop so im guessing it might get hot but i would rather not spend too much money on a cooler. Again if you guys have any suggestions for my laptop thanks

4. Laptop Lock - For those few times i have to leave my room/laptop i would rather invest in a lock to make sure my baby isnt stolen from me My question is how would one lock a laptop to a desk for example and again if you guys have any not too expensive locks to recommend much obliged .

5. Headphones/Headset - I like using headphones for gaming/everything and i frequently voicechat to people over teamspeak/google talk. The current headphones i have right now are a phillips noise canceling one that are adequate enough for me but i have been using a 7 year old mic that i could clip onto my shirt with it and the mic just broke. I have been looking around for a new microphone but it seems that no one sells microphones seperatly nowadays. The only microphones i can find are on headsets which usually dont have the sound quality that my current headphones have. So if anyone has any good place to buy seperate microphones or a nice headset that i could use for gaming (to accurately hear where people are coming from and such) thank you.

6. Sound Card - Kinda related to #5 but many people have told me that laptops built in soundcards are kinda bad and that i should invest in an external sound card for when im sitting at my desk gaming. Do you guys have any recommendations on this?

Well thanks for reading all my questions haha just trying to make the best choice here to protect/use my laptop without breaking my parents wallet

 

For Mice.. I know you said you dont like razers.. but They are amazing imo should try it again.

For Backpack There is a thread on Messenger vs. Backpack you should look at.. I personally just ordered a Crumbler Messenger bag but this is all about your personal style and computer.. with a 15.4in laptop+ you want a backpack.. just look around and choose one you think looks good. for 14.1in and below either work good.

Laptop cooler.. I use a 10 dollar cooler i found at bestbuy i think.. it works just as good as expensive ones imo. (Just look for an ultra quiet one)

Laptop Lock.. Locking your laptop up at school is a 100% must or it will get stolen, I know Targus makes the one i use, As for "strength" that depends on your laptop and if the security port is backed with metal or not.

 

Locks stop the opportunist thief. If someone really wants to, they will find a way. But a lock will stop the snatch and grab from the library. I use a Kensington Microsaver Lock

As for sound, the only way to know is to listen to your laptop for yourself, through the headphone slot. I myself only spent £130 on a sound card as my onboard solution was horrible for my IEMs - snap, crackle and pop abound. But if you do not have a problem with your laptop's sound, then keep your money in your pocket

It is all about you though. Take advice on-board, but it is all personal preference at the end of the day

 

External sound card necessary--or would a customizable upgrade to Creative Labs Audigy be good?

 

Thanks so far guys

one of the big questions is still have unanswered though is is there any headset that has noise cancelling like my phillips yet has a microphone built into it? all the headsets i have seen at bestbuy and stuff look only medium sound quality at best. or is there anywhere to buy a mic seperatly like in the good old days.

 

In terms of mics, the laptop should just have a regular 1/8" microphone port, which means, you don't have to just look in the computer accessory department to look for a microphone. Something like this would work. Ignore the reviews that say it didn't work with x sound card, they don't know what they're talking about, if it didn't work, it means either means the mic or the card is busted, nothing to do with compatibility (or they just couldn't figure it out on the software end).

 

Do yourself a favor and don't bother looking at headsets with built-in mics. 99% of the time they're over-priced just because of the gamer marketing. I just picked up some ACH-A500's from audiocubes.com and they have breathtaking music quality as well as sound positioning for FPS games that better than I have ever experienced. then you can pick up a zalman clip-on mic from newegg.com, just do a search for it.

as for the mouse, the g5 is overpriced, don't bother. i'd recommend the mx518, wonderful gaming mouse and solidly priced.

 

In regard to bags - Do yourself a favor and look at some rollers. I have a USLuggage that is just wonderful for carrying a few books and supplies and things. Great for the 2 mile walk from class to dorm to car or wherever. You can also stack a backpack on top when rolling for even more capacity. Comes with strap for getting up and down stairs. Best computer bag i have ever owned. I use a caselogic as a sleeve. It works great when u just need to carry the notebook.

Everything else has been covered above. I would add take a look at the MX518 for a wired mouse, i love mine.

 

I love G5 and I do not think its overpriced at all.

 

on a side note do you guys think it is worth getting the original g5 or the g5 blue refresh. Personally i think the original one looks better and i hate the blue look of the new one but the new one has an extra button (and costs more)

 

One thing about the headset, i know that the cheap ones at RadioShack have impressive quality for being ~$20 with a mic, but they are not noise canceling. They are more than adequate to understand others in my experience on vent.
Otherwise, i know best buy has a desktop mic which my brother just got, from my limited experience with it, it is a very good mic. This seems like your best option if you like your current headphones. I believe it was also ~$20 and is a logitech, so it has to be good.

 

Eh, I got a $2.99 headset from radioshack once upon a time to use as a microphone, because the cheapest microphone(no earphones) was $4.99 lol.

 

My buddy has the G5, and I really like it. You can get it for a really good price on Newegg, and I don't think it's overpriced at all.

 

I dont know much about notebook locks but... Will a kensington lock attatch to an IFL90 without a problem. Does the laptop have to have a certain 'slot' for these to work?

 

Hey I purchased the same notebook as you (IFL90) the accesories I ordered were the Swiss Gear Synergy, I think it's a great bag for around 56 on Amazon.com, Targus notebook lock which I bought for 20 bucks at BEstbuy when it was on sale a chance it goes on sale again, it apprears to be good quality, and I've been advised to get a cooler so I went with the Targus Tornado Chill Pad for 20 on amazon. Just some ideas for you man, good luck

 

thanks hockey ill look into it

 

How does the sager fit with one of the Swiss Gear backpacks? I've ordered it too, and was wondering if the battery pack sticking out would make it too wide.