The annoyance of lots of peripherals and accesories

Does anyone else get annoyed by the idea of having a USB hub and 4-5 wires running out of your laptop? I realize I can use the laptop without any wires and just use the touchpad, but I like to game, so I need my external mouse.

I have an external hard drive, external speakers, Logitech G7 mouse, battery, cooling pad all coming out of my laptop.

Too many ****ed wires.

Has anyone built or seen some kind of box that would clean up all these wires/external devices? I was thinking of trying to build something where I could mount my external hard drive and battery and stick my USB hub inside it so there wouldn't be so much clutter on the outside of my laptop. Any ideas?

 

It sounds totally annoying.

That's why I have a desktop for heavy computing (games once in a while), and a very portable laptop for work and other stuff while mobile. Only peripheral is a wireless mouse, and that's it. No octopus of wires -- who wants to put up with all that?

 

The only easy solution I can think of would be to run a hub off down behind your desk to a lower shelf where you could set all of your accessories. Zip-ties or other fasteners could keep the clutter to a minimum. Good luck if you decide to try self-fabrication! Post pictures!

 

sounds like you're defeating the whole point of mobile computing! maybe you need a desktop instead.

 

I have generally defeated the purpose of mobile computing with the following coming out of my laptop:
-iPod dock
-Pacific Breeze cooling pad
---connected to USB light
-4-port USB Hub
---connected to external keyboard, mouse, printer
-DVI cable to external monitor
-Audigy 2 ZS PCMCIA sound card
---connected to microphone + headphones
-AC adapter (of course)

So, it's anchored down. Yes, it is frustrating, but I did want a desktop-like setup, and that's what I got. It works well.
One of the ways I deal with it is by using multiple USB hubs, that way I only have to plug in a few USB ports to connect multiple devices. Also as mentioned, you'll want cable ties.

It's not that much of a hassle to move my machine really - take out the AC plug, monitor plug, 3 USB cables, and the PCMCIA card. It sounds like more of a drag than it really is.

 

I agree the simplest and easiest solution is to use some cable ties. Perhaps use some surgical tubing or the like (slit it down one side) and then you can insert all the wires into it but I think there are commercial wire-guides that might look nicer .

 

Well, one thing you can do is buy a desk that has smallish holes cleanly cut in the top for wires.

I'd suggest buying a really big desk -- mine is like 5 feet by 2.5 feet, with a dark enamel-type top, with holes cut out on either side. (It's almost like a small door.) The holes are towards the back of the desk, on either side. The monitor, headphone, microphone, and USB wires simply go down the left hole to the computer. Right hole is for telephone wire.

The holes are out of the way, and so are the wires. Plus the desk is nice and big. It easily accomodates a 24" monitor, keyboard, big mouse pad, inbox for papers and such, etc. Move the keyboard out of the way, and there's room for everything.

That's my suggestion.

Eh, looks a little like this, except I don't have the glass and it's dark. See the hole on the left? I have one just like it, away from me and towards the top, on either side. That's where the wires disappear.

 

That looks like its bad on your spine/neck.

Well I've eliminated cords for mouse and keyboard. I have 2-3 cords: 1) audio 2) Charger 3) Adapter to an external monitor

 

Heh. I should have been more clear when I said no glass. My monitor is on a regular stand, like most people use. I don't have/use those in-desk glass panes. Just wanted to show how the wires can disappear down the desk, if he wants to do that.

 

If you do build something cool, ill pay you to build another for me. My desk is a mess with the external speakers, mouse and all my other goodies.

 

True. It does look neat eliminating the wires/etc and does make more space. I sat in one of those desks before but if I want to recline my feet...there's no place to go..

 

If you have a Dell Latitude laptop then I'd get a docking bay if I were you, so you can just walk up and simply set your laptop on it and be connected to all of your stuff, and when you want to disconnect then all you have to do is press a button and carry your laptop off. Other then that I would try and put as many things as you can all on the same USB hub(You can get them that have 7 ports) and then just try and run all wires in the same places, could even tape them down, or drill holes in your desk and send them through it. Just a few ideas.