Comments on: CES trip is near- what am I taking?

By: timothyt

timothyt — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:08:06 +0000

edit-I couldn’t see that you replied already. Scratch the MSI wind thought :)

By: timothyt

timothyt — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:05:29 +0000

James,

when you wrote that you were going to take the new macbook to CES I immediately wondered if it was a good idea or not. The comments here certainly echo my thoughts, that thing is pretty heavy (around 4.5 pounds right? excluding the extra battery) for so much running around in a single day. You need an ultra portable notebook (NOT netbook!) with a huge battery if you want a fully sized computer. I run around a lot, and for example my ThinkPad X200 with a 9 cell tops out at 3.65 pounds. The X200 in no way compares to the wonderful macbook (I would’ve gotten it too) but there has to be some better options for you. MSI Wind is great too. But I think you wrote about how you just want to mess around with this new gadget and see how it performs earlier. Good luck!

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:29:34 +0000

ah yes, video encoding… that’s definitely something i would NOT want to do on my netbook ;)

By: Rick Huizinga

Rick Huizinga — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:52:54 +0000

James, it will be interesting to see how well the iPhone 3G stacks up against the HTC Advantage that you used last year…

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:53:18 +0000

Scott, I am taking the MB because it is a powerhouse that can handle audio and video encoding should I have the need. It is not much bigger or heavier than a netbook and has no compromises in power for the tasks mentioned.

Bruce, I have owned the Netgear for a long time, I got it before the Airport Express existed. It has always worked well and I always take it just in case I need it. The fact is, the last two years I have been happy with just using EV-DO in the hotel room so the router has not been used. I’ll still take it since it takes little room, just in case.

By: Ryan Sutton

Ryan Sutton — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:52:28 +0000

Curious, what bag are you planning to carry it in. Macbook going to stay in the room and work out of your pockets during the show?

My CES kit is shaping up to be:
Acer Aspie One
Samsung Q1
Nokia N95
Bluetooth Keyboard
BlackBerry Perl ( Maybe)
Batterygeek PPS ( BYOIFE: Bring own in flight entertainment for the 5hr flight )

Havn’t decided how much if anything other then the phones I will carry on the floor though.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:41:59 +0000

Here is my CES gear:

IPhone
HP 2133
Small Panasonic point and shoot with a name too cryptic to remember

By: Bruce

Bruce — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:36:17 +0000

James,
Any reason you opted for the Netgear travel router over the Airport Express (other than price). The Airport Express seems like the smallest, lightest solution, but I have no personal experience with them. I’m looking for a travel router and was wondering why you chose the Netgear. Thanks and have fun at CES! :)

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:07:09 +0000

So why not opt for a 10″ netbook? Wouldn’t that be smaller and lighter than the mac? And you could ditch the multicard reader…

Is the mac battery life that much better?

Just curious

By: Ron P.

Ron P. — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:42:35 +0000

DELLS Ad at the top of this page says it all:

Less Has Never Been So Much More!

Never could a statement be more truer, until next year!!!

By: Ron P.

Ron P. — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:40:10 +0000

James,
Although envious, as I have been every year since I have not been able to go to CES (went twice prior to marriage)you are ready to “Do The Deed” and do it well. When you think about it, what you have there is really very light and portable, yet POWERFUL. I was thinking it would be neat to see the contrast as to what you may have photos of on previous CES ventures, from the first one to maybe 3-4 years ago and last year. I think that would be very neat to see, if you have time.

You guys have a great trip, and dont forget, “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas!!”

Be safe and we will be awaiting our “specialized and professional coverage!!

Ron P