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    Accesories Thread ($150 Gift Card: How should I spend the money?)

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Good Spliff, Apr 13, 2009.

  1. Good Spliff

    Good Spliff Notebook Geek

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    Hey NBR community. I am receiving a $150 Promo gift card when my Studio XPS 16 ships in early May. You can check my sig for the specs.

    I was wondering what is the best way to spend these $150? I am attending university in the fall and I assume I need a durable and protective handler case. What is a good one? I think I prefer a messenger bag over a backpack for carrying it. But if you can convince me other so be it. I am also considering software, extra battery, or any other worthwhile accessories. Thanks for your help again!
     
    Good Spliff, Apr 13, 2009
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  2. xScorp1on

    xScorp1on Notebook Evangelist

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    I found that messenger bags aren't as nice as they look.. its really heavy on one shoulder and not the other.

    Extra battery life, esp if you got the RGBLED.

    Get a VX nano mouse too.
     
    xScorp1on, Apr 13, 2009
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  3. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    I would say go for a backpack.
    More padding, easier for your back (using 2 shoulders vs. 1) and, it's alot more practical for carrying books with your laptop.
     
    ronnieb, Apr 13, 2009
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  4. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    -Back Pack...Swiss Gear is a FTW in the Back Pack arena for me...Synergy, Wenger.. http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...s=true&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&category_id=5487
    -BT Mouse... Microsoft Bluetooth 5000
    http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...s=true&c=us&category_id=6591&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
    Logitech VX Nano
    http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...s=true&c=us&category_id=6591&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
    Get a 9 cell battery,
    a Portable Hard Drive such as a Western Digital
    this is what I have: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A2012450
    Get some Good Head Phones (Sennheiser) makes good headphones :D

    They are shipping the gifts cards with the orders now? I thought they shipped 6-8 weeks after the order was shipped? If, they are shipped with the order, that is pretty awesome! :D ;) :cool:
    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Apr 13, 2009
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  5. Narthecium

    Narthecium Notebook Evangelist

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    Last I checked 9-cell batteries were only like 80 bucks now...I'd get that and maybe get a swissgear backpack for your laptop. Don't do a messenger bag...they're seriously not comfortable versus a backpack.
     
    Narthecium, Apr 13, 2009
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  6. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Extra Flash Drives are always nice to have also, as are SDHC cards :D

    Just a mention though...Once I get my mind on accessories..lulz. :p :eek:


    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Apr 13, 2009
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  7. Good Spliff

    Good Spliff Notebook Geek

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    My bad Cin, you're right. The $150 gift card arrives 6-8 weeks after shipping (is that after I receive the actualy shipment or after the order is processed?). I really need two things, I just need advice on which ones :)

    Carrying case/backpack
    Printer (one that would suit a college student well in his doorm room)
    Anything extra you guys could come up with ;)

    Thanks in advance.
     
    Good Spliff, Apr 13, 2009
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  8. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    TV Tuner :p....watch tv on your laptop

    definitely a plus on a wellpadded backpack.... college books + laptop = a little heavy, but I never feel that much weight when using my Swissgear backpack..

    an external monitor is definitely a plus (nytimes and other reports suggest a 15% productivity increase when dualscreening...) you have a 16" 16:9 screen, so you might enjoy some more real estate

    external hard drive... but 500GB should last you some time

    for a printer... get an account on http://slickdeals.net and set up a deal alert for printer.... often, office max/depot/staples will have a printer very cheap after rebate ('throwaway' printer)...sometimes free after rebate..... dell printers' ink isn't that common and is usually more expensive/harder to find
     
    paper_wastage, Apr 14, 2009
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  9. xScorp1on

    xScorp1on Notebook Evangelist

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    printers... aren't really worth getting... just find a printer at college and hack it/use it. I know my department has free printing, as does the honors college.

    Definitely get a good mouse... NANO!
     
    xScorp1on, Apr 14, 2009
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  10. metroline

    metroline Notebook Consultant

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    i have the dell bluetooth mouse/keyboard combo. i absolutely love it!

    but if you want to spread the wealth, buy just the mouse, a built cargo notebook sleeve, a second power adapter, the xps remote (i prefer the infrared to the bluetooth), and some sd memory. even if you bought all that youd still have some change left on that card... :D
     
    metroline, Apr 14, 2009
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  11. Good Spliff

    Good Spliff Notebook Geek

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    Thanks a lot for all this advice guys. It is really helpful and I am taking all these posts into account. The two main things I really need however are:

    1) A durable laptop case (Backpack or messenger sleeve)
    I was thinking of something similar to this: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0609855

    OR

    http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0609853

    I think I prefer the first model as a type of carrying case. Something I could hold in arm or over shoulder.
    2) A printer for my dorm room

    After taking care of those first two items, then I would like to consider looking at mice.

    Thanks! Cheers!
     
    Good Spliff, Apr 14, 2009
    #11