Macworld: Too many wires ...

Up to Discussions in Portable Macs

8 Replies Last post: Oct 20, 2004 6:06 PM by urrl78

urrl78

284 posts since
Jul 31, 2001

Oct 18, 2004 8:46 AM

Too many wires

Can anyone recommend a way to lesson the amount of wires sticking out of the side of my Powerbook? Is there a dock for a 17"? I have considered the Airport Express, but before I get one are there any other suggestions?

d00d

12,136 posts since
Apr 24, 2001

1. Oct 18, 2004 8:57 AM

in response to: urrl78

Re: Too many wires

Well, I'd suggest BookEndz, but they don't seem to have a 17" version.

What wires do you have poking out? I can probably suggest better solutions if I knew.

urrl78

284 posts since
Jul 31, 2001

2. Oct 19, 2004 5:05 AM

in response to: d00d

Re: Too many wires

left side: ext speaker, USB printer, phone line, power cable. Guess I can put up with the right side. I use a bluetooth mouse so that helps. Thanks for the reply. Looks like the Airport express will get rid of the printer USB and the ext speaker cable. Maybe if I get broadband I can knock out the phone line also with Airport express?

d00d

12,136 posts since
Apr 24, 2001

3. Oct 19, 2004 6:31 AM

in response to: urrl78

Re: Too many wires

Yes on the printer, maybe on the speakers, and definitely on the phone line if you get broadband.

The problem with the speakers is that you can only route iTunes sound to the Airport Express, sound for any other application (games, iMovie/Final Cut, GarageBand, DVDs, etc.) require that you use the built-in sound.

castertroy05

22 posts since
Jul 28, 2004

4. Oct 19, 2004 4:09 PM

in response to: d00d

Re: Too many wires

Bookendz is very expensive and even tho you may think it appears wireless, it's a hugh block sitting next to your computer. Very unattractive. I also like my powerbook wireless and clean of wires. I always tuck away my usb printer cable when not using it (i have a plastic piece on the wall that the cable clicks and holds in place--out of sight). Definitely go with airport express. You're freeing up three wires by doing so. Imma do that once I can afford it. :P

Filburt

237 posts since
Jul 16, 2001

5. Oct 20, 2004 9:35 AM

in response to: urrl78

Re: Too many wires

AirPort Express does not have a modem, so you will need to spring for AirPort Extreme Base Station instead. In any case, it will not only get rid of 2 wires (telephone and printer), your computer will become more mobile around your home/office.

And how about a Bluetooth mouse?

I think Apple should build a docking station/port replicator for PowerBooks (additional revenue generator and many organizations require one), but that opinion seems unpopular here.

castertroy05

22 posts since
Jul 28, 2004

6. Oct 20, 2004 1:20 PM

in response to: Filburt

Re: Too many wires

Actually when you get subscribe for dsl, you get a modem with the whole package...at least, Sbc Yahoo did. Plug the end thats suppose to go in your computer into the airport express and voila. Docks are messy and unattractive. If you're going to want a dock, might as well have gotten a desktop.

d00d

12,136 posts since
Apr 24, 2001

7. Oct 20, 2004 1:58 PM

in response to: castertroy05

Re: Too many wires

In reply to:<hr />
Actually when you get subscribe for dsl, you get a modem with the whole package...at least, Sbc Yahoo did.

<hr />

That's true, but Filburt was talking about an analog modem, as Buddy referenced still using in his second post. I already explained that with broadband, the Airport Express would eliminate that need, but I wasn't very specific about the fact that it doesn't have an analog modem built-in like Airport Base Stations many times to. Filburt cleared that up.

In reply to:<hr />
Docks are messy and unattractive.

<hr />

Yeah, except that instead of looking at a mess of wires, you're looking at a simple piece of plastic and make things neater because you don't have a dozen wires intertwining to deal with. That and you don't have to spend all your time reattaching each single port.

In reply to:<hr />
If you're going to want a dock, might as well have gotten a desktop.

<hr />

Yeah, because no real laptop user uses anything like external speakers for things other than music, Firewire peripherals, USB peripherals, etc. that can't be accessed wirelessly. Those things are for desktops only. I don't even know why Apple put Firewire on these things.

In reply to:<hr />
You're freeing up three wires by doing so.

<hr />

That's assuming that Buddy gets broadband and doesn't use his speakers for anything but iTunes. Otherwise, it's one.

urrl78

284 posts since
Jul 31, 2001

8. Oct 20, 2004 6:06 PM

in response to: d00d

Re: Too many wires

Thanks for all the replies. Bummer that iTunes is the only audio that Airport Express uses. I guess I will have to put up with the wires and wait another five years for a better solution, or invent one myself...

Go to original post

Oct 18, 2004 8:46 AM

Too many wires

Actions

More Like This