Jumping Ship

So the ADC update that I mentioned in my previous post went through without a hitch; I have the discount in hand (or I should say, online) all ready to use. It turns out that it goes through much faster if you give them a copy of the schedule for your upcoming semester. But anyway, pretty easy for what you get.

As for the Airport Express, I couldn’t have asked for an easier setup. Even on my windows box and the Westell modem I have it hooked up to now, it took all of 3 minutes to get a WEP-secured network going (I would have used WPA2, but my DS lite doesn’t take to heavily encrypted networks too well ;p). It should be perfect for the apartment, and I’ll bet setting up a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is just as easy.

In preparing for my imminent Macbook Pro purchase, I’ve picked up a few key accessories to make sure I get the most use out of it from day 1. First up, a protective sleeve: I tend to keep a lot of stuff in the two packs I use, (a Timbuk2 bag and a North Face backpack) and it tends to roll around. To protect from scratches and dings, I picked up the Vyper M2 Sleeve from booq bags. I’m a bit of a bag freak, so this site I found to be right up my alley (albeit pricey for my tastes).  Still, the sleeve is high quality stuff, and is custom-fitted for each model, making sure every one is a perfect fit.

The next purchase I made was somewhat mundane, but still important: a good mouse. I have seen plenty of wireless notebook mice around campus and can definitely appreciate not being stuck with a touchpad, but the USB dongles that come with most of them I feel like I would lose in an instant. So I went with another wireless option, bluetooth. I found this mouse on amazon, and based on the reviews, seemed to fit the bill perfectly. And to boot, I found some OEM refurbished units on ebay for about half as much as the new units. The lack of any dongles to lose, plus the benefit of wireless, I think will work well for those longer sessions.

The last purchase I made may not seem as vital for any new Mac owner, but for me, at one of the top party schools in the country, they are a godsend. Up until recently, I have used a pair of ER-6s, which were fantastic noise cancelers, but always felt a little flimsy for frequent use. Well, after 5 years of loyal service, the fitting on one of the cables gave out on me, and I found myself needing a new pair. But this time, I decided to try a different brand; I had heard good things about the Super.fi 3s from Ultimate Ears, so I took the plunge and gave them a shot. So far, I am impressed; they offer about the same noise-canceling properties as the ER-6s, but with better low-end reproduction and a more solid build. The only thing I’m having trouble with is getting a consistent seal, but as I learned with my first pair, that comes with time and practice.

It won’t be too long before I pay that visit to the mac store, let’s just hope there are no delays!