Getting a MBP...any 'must have' accessories?

[Shpigford]

So for ages I've been a desktop guy. At the end of this month I'll be trading in my trusty G5 for a MacBook Pro.

So...for you laptop-owning people, what are some 'must have' accessories for a laptop?

I've honestly never used a laptop on a regular basis so I'm not really aware of the stuff that is nice to have around for it.

[Jugger Grimrodd]

I was new to the notebook world as well (5 months in). I am still trying get my desk setup to be more effecient. I wish they (Apple) made docking stations, I have to say that I hate all the connecting and disconnecting of cables.

This is my list of must have gear:

* iLap - Keeps my leg hair from burning and makes a swanky desk stand. It is amazing how much heat the aluminum surface soaks up. The stands are padded as well, this makes for extremely comfortable sessions in front of the TV.

* AirPort Express - Portable router on the road. A print server, and it also handles my music at home. It has gone clearance and is cheap now. Too bad that it will choke the speed of any N networks. I think it's a fair trade though.

* Wireless Mighty Mouse - I hate trackpads. When they say that it works on any surface, they ain't lyin'. I take it everywhere.

* Wireless Keyboard - I hate to think that I am wearing down the built in keyboard when I don't have to. I reserve the abuse for outside my home.

* External HDD Enclosures - I have moved all my HDD's to enclosures (they used to live on my PC) in anticipation of the new AirPort Extreme. I also picked up a bus powered drive for on the road access.

* USB 2.0 Hub - It is a real time saver!

* A Good Notebook Bag - I have developed a strong paranoia regarding the security of my MBP. As a result, I have no less than two bags. I originally purchased a Crumpler bag (very good bag - nearly indestructable), but after I started using it, I noted people would look at it on the street as if they knew what was in it. Shortly after that I bought a plain black Targus backpack that is less pronounced and does not scream "I have an expensive bag, imagine what is in it!!!". I found that Targus offers the most protection in the "Crappy Bag" category, more room too!

* Don't forget the Notebook lock!!!!

[Yuiichi]

If you're like me and want to keep your new MBP in tip-top condition, I'd try something like the Marware Protection Pack Plus. I personally don't have one, since I didn't think of it 'till my MacBook was already oldish, but I've heard good things. It's at least worth looking in to.

I've also found a user's impressions for a MacBook - worth a read.

Haha, edit number 3. I've also found this product which is less obtrusive than the Marware product. I think any of these are fairly good options!

[jphilo]

My necessities are anything that fits in the excellent laptop bag that add to the mobility function.

* Wireless Apple Mouse (Mighty or not)
* Tablet
* Pens, permanent marker, pad of paper
* Flash drive
* iPod cable
* Headphones
* 3-prong plug for power adapter

[trmcculloch]

I have a thin little case, offers little or no protection, a wireless mouse is a must, and an external hard drive to bolster to puny little 60gb one. Thats it!

[Lordmike]

A good notebook bag and a firewire harddrive is the only extras that I use and need.

[houltmac]

* A good bag is a must first and foremost. I have extensively tested a lot of bags for work, from a large range of manufacturers and found STM to stand head and shoulders above the rest. The bags are funky, casual (not screaming "steal me" as pointed out above) and very very tough. I personally have an STM sleeve (which I use only on occasion) and an STM Sports 2 backpack which is in use daily (I carry a lot of extras being a technician that travels a lot.

* A good wireless mouse is also a must for when you are a desk. Personally I went for a Wireless Keyboard and Mighty Mouse combo from Apple. This is nice because I don't need to lug around a base-station for IR or anything, and I still get excellent security through not needing it at the airport or anything (so Bluetooth can be switched off).

* I have two drives; a LaCie D2 TEI for backup and some storage as well as a LaCie Porsche Mobile FireWire drive for on the road extension of the internal drive (it's bus powered). I don't think these can be beat, although the LaCie Prosche desktop drive will likely be my Airport Extreme NAS solution because it's so pretty.

* If you are traveling a lot and don't know when and where you will be able to get mains power then a second battery is a must. I generally have power so I don't really require one. I do however have a power adapter (charger) at work, home and one in my travel bag. This is useful for when you don't want extra weight on short trips and saves cable damage in the long run.

* iPod and cable. Save your CPU, battery and RAM by listening to tunes through a nano with 24 hour battery life.

* Griffin iCurve stand for use at the desk. This is a must for me as I like to have my MacBook at head height when using it at my desk. It also lifts it to the height of the secondary display when I'm at work and keeps air-flow strong.

* The iSkin ProTouch is also a must for me. I don't personally enjoy typing on it (while it feels nice it seems to slow my touch type down), but it's indispensable when using it in a workshop or other not so beautiful office environment.

* Again, I don't know whether this is because I am a technician or something, but I always carry an Airport Express. It's useful on the road when you only have patch cables or no RJ45 at all.

* On the road headphones are a must (especially when watching DVDs on public transport), but these should be with your iPod regardless.

* Finally I wouldn't have any notebook without AppleCare. I see too many of them not being repaired due to cost after 18-36 months. If all else fails it adds to the sale price when you swap it for any shiny Mac.

I don't know whether this is a long or short list, and I know I carry way more than this, but I think it covers the average user well. After nearly 10 years of being primarily notebook based it's my experience that these things are near essential.

[BdeRWest]

An extra battery. That's paramount. I've also found a USB hub is essential.

But I would disagree about the iLap. I've found all you really need is an Incase neoprene sleeve. It takes care of protecting the lappy in your bag, and works as an excellent "hot pad" for when you use the computer on your lap.

I've also found, wireless or not, you *need* a mighty mouse, or equivalent.

I have an iSkin to protect my keyboard, but not the wrist-rest or trackpad protectors.

Also, if you're a stickler for a clean, mint-condition Mac, check out Apple Peelz (http://www.applepeelz.com). I haven't bought it because I would worry about heat issues... And that it makes the Mac shiny (I have an MBP).

And I would recommend the Airport Express, even though I see Apple updating it to include N-speeds soon. It's worth it to have a print server and Airtunes.

[rampancy]

As if you already had enough gear to shell out for, I have a few other suggestions...

1) Surge Protector - this is a really important piece of gear regardless of how you use your computer or what platform you're on. I use APC generally, but Belkin and Tripp-Lite are good brands too - see this article for more details.

2) Laptop Cooler - I use my MBP as a desktop replacement/portable desktop-type of machine, so I often have it on my desk; because of this I have a laptop stand with an active cooling system. I use Vantec's LapCool 4 which is not only foldable, but can also come with either a 4-port USB 2.0 hub or 4-port USB 2.0 hub with an 8-in-1 Card Reader.

I personally think having a cooler with fans is important as even with the C2D the MBP can run quite hot; it hits about ~80+ degrees C with Folding@home running and my cooler on, which is already a little too high for me.

[neyoung]

I just got my MBP less than a month ago and am currently building a decent 'travel survivor kit'. Every user will have different accessories that they will want/need. Here's what I have so far.

Bluetooth Mouse: The trackpad works great, but having a mouse around is nice. I purchased a RadTech bt600.

Surge Protector: Its always good to protect your investment, but carrying a surge protector around isn't practicle. I went with the Tripp-Lite Traveler 100Bt.

Headphones: I'd like to get a set of Bluetooth headphones, but I have yet to find a pair that I like and aren't over a hundred bucks

Headphone splitter: I always end up watching dvd's with my wife on planes, and we both obviously want to hear the sound

Memory Card Reader: You're bound to come into contact with people that want to share pictures with you off their camera but don't have their cable with them. A card reader also prevents you from having to carry around your cable which will save you space. I bought the Belkin Multimedia Reader/Writer ExpressCard, and I'm quite impressed with it.

I still need to get a bag. I'd like to get a neoprene sleeve, but just haven't got around to doing so. Eventually I'd like to get an extra battery as well.