Need small speakers and remote?

Picked up an Advanced Mini Dock for my Lenovo Z61m. It's great to finally have a place to park the laptop. Sits in the bedroom and acts more like a charger/holder than a desktop replicator.

It has got me thinking that it would be cool to get a small set of speakers for it, so I can play the occasional dvd or internet radio station. Thinking small, not desktop setup.

Any recommendations for a good set of small speakers (Preferably black) to plug into the docking station?

Anyone know of any wireless remote controls that could control DVD's and windows media player?

The more generic the better, not looking for an expensive media player software. Something simple that works across the board.

Not sure whats out there, was thinking TV tuner while I'm at it, but haven't had much luck with WinTV on my desktop.

TIA

 

I'm not sure you can get a universal remote - and even if you do, it possibly wont quite work the way you expect it to...

Speakers:
Go to a shop like Staples, PC World (Uk) and have a look.

On a side note:
Small speakers will never give you a truly satisfying sound.

We've got some Logitech speakers with a subwoofer - and they are very very good for their price (40 odd pounds I think).
The times even recommended them as a good buy once..

 

speakers: M-AUDIO AV20 STUDIOPHILE

remote: I have a kinda old external soundcard, a soundblaster live 64bit external. it came with a remote control which would also work on WMP, but not all other programs. with some tweaking you could control nearly everything. so maybe look into actual external sound card models with remote, you might find someting, I guess.
second option (I use that nowadays): I just use my bluetooth mobile phone (sony ericsson k810i) as a remote.

 

For speakers I recommend a 2.1 system with a subwoofer instead of just two speakers. Logitech, Creative and Altech Lansing have some good 2.1 reasonably priced 2.1 speakers.

As for the remote, there are plenty of generic programmable remotes and presentation remotes (that can also be used as media remotes) out there.

I normally use my Wireless mouse or the Phone. My M1330 came with a remote, but since I was using the phone even before I bought the M1330, I kept on using that. All you need is Bleutooth support on your notebook and Bluetooth + Java support on your mobile phone. Then you can use something like Bluetooth Remote Control.

 

For a remote, you have a couple of options with those generic programmable remotes PhoneixFx mentioned.

But also, I can suggest that you get something that fits in an ExpressCard slot. I have a Dell XPS M1530 and the mini ExpressCard remote works wonders for me.

For ExpressCard remotes that are compatible with any Windows notebook, you can checkout:
1. Interlink Express Card Media Remote
-This has garnered a lot of positive reviews. However, it is a little on the pricey side when buying a remote (around $40). And another complaint is that it sticks out a little bit off the ExpressCard slot (so there's a little black portion sticking out), which may be annoying for some users. But it automatically charges in the ExpressCard slot and also works on Bluetooth (instead of infrared like my XPS remote).
http://www.smklink.com/index.php?id=Njg1
http://www.amazon.com/Interlink-Electronics-VP6600-ExpressCard-Bluetooth/dp/B000JF1YQK
2. A Generic ExpressCard IR Remote for Windows
-This is a very cheap remote (only $15), but is IR rather than Bluetooth. It also requires a receiver which seems pretty bulky to me, but I think fits exactly in the ExpressCard slot. I also heard you can control a TV with this, but not sure how.
http://www.amazon.com/ExpressCard-Control-Receiver-Premium-Ultimate/dp/B001J1YADC

As for speakers, if you want small speakers that are very reasonable in price, check out Edifier speakers. There are two models which might be of your interest.
1. Edifier MP220
-These are realy compact notebook speakers and are great because they can be either USB-powered or AC-adapter powered. I got one of these (black color) for only $20.
http://www.edifier.com/eng2005/product/s0008_00.htm

2. Edifier MP330
-These are also very compact speakers and are also a 2.1 setup. Not very pricey as well.
http://www.edifier.com/eng2005/product/s0006_00.htm

 

for speakers if you want small and portable something like logitech v20 would work, they run on usb, and have there own little case.

if its to be stationary and portability does not matter just a cheap 2.0 or 2.1 set would work from various brands.

for remote, most audio players like winamp can be setup for generic hotkeys or global remote so just any generic remote would work that has windows capability. I actually use my Nintendo Wiimote to control mine. For my HTPC I got a Window Media Center remote. It works great and I highly recommend one. You have to have Vista or XP Media to use Media Center though.

 

Small Black speakers then get a pair of Edifier MP300 Plus (edifier-international.com). I had the older silver model, but because I was bit careless when travelling with them all the time, part of the wires broke.

Well I looked around for an alternative after my silver ones just to see if there was anything new on the market. Couldn't find anything and then found that edifier had released a new black version that goes great with my new black clevo.

Anyways I don't think at the moment you will find a set of speakers that has such a small sub and small speakers but sounds great.

 

if you have a local bose store they might have some good speakers.

 

No, that would be a good waist of money