The Super Helpful Little Things Forum

[stad2234]

For those of you considering using a dual monitor with your laptop this is the setup that I plan on purchasing for my apartment. There is also a link to amazon where you can buy the actual stand this guy is using.

http://www.desktopped.com/2009/11/macbo ... -inch-lcd/

[PoliticalJunkie]

Never been much of a fan of the dual monitor config when you're using your laptop screen as one on your setup. I'll be shelling out a few hundred to get 2 apple 20 in LCD displays along with a matrox dualhead2go digital box so that I have two physical screens and can put my macbook to sleep.

[Matthies]

For those of you considering using a dual monitor with your laptop this is the setup that I plan on purchasing for my apartment. There is also a link to amazon where you can buy the actual stand this guy is using.

http://www.desktopped.com/2009/11/macbo ... -inch-lcd/

Holy crap this is so bad ass http://www.desktopped.com/2009/10/han-s ... no-really/

Maybe we should make a general tech/computer/gabdget thread for all this stuff?

[aparks]

how about a good usb mic for lectures? or is that overkill? all the compact mics on amazon seem to be reviewed under use as music or close range vocal recordings.

[vexion]

how about a good usb mic for lectures? or is that overkill? all the compact mics on amazon seem to be reviewed under use as music or close range vocal recordings.

Well, Engineer said this in another thread:

I recorded almost all of my property law lectures using a $100 Sony voice recorder. Only one prof allowed recordings, but if you have a disability, my school will actually do all of that for you (as in, they'll require the prof to wear a mic).

Anyway, I typically recorded the lectures and then outsourced them for transcription through guru.com or elance.com. The ONLY reason I did this is because my property prof gives take-home finals which are a mind fuck and a half, and he expects us to quote him verbatim in the exam. I was able to do that.

Anyway, since I treated property like a regular class, I read through the transcripts and highlighted the important parts. Then I created my own table of contents (an outline, basically) with page references. It made the exam tolerable, but we'll see if my grade improves at all.

Oh, one other thing: in class, I NEVER would take notes. I'd listen & absorb. That helped me so much, because when I was studying, everything felt very familiar.

[sophistry]

Holy crap this is so bad ass http://www.desktopped.com/2009/10/han-s ... no-really/

Maybe we should make a general tech/computer/gabdget thread for all this stuff?

Awesome.

But yes, this has quickly devolved into a gadget thread. I don't think i need my twisty crayons to be liquid cooled.

EDIT: This came off snarkier than I intended. I'm really digging the advice on this thread! Any more hints from current students?

[Matthies]

how about a good usb mic for lectures? or is that overkill? all the compact mics on amazon seem to be reviewed under use as music or close range vocal recordings.

I had this great Omni directional Sony Mic (that I can't find any more). OneNote has this feature where it will synch your notes with a recording of the class. So while your typing "the minim contacts anayalis includes two elements.." and something happens and you did not get the two elements, after class you can click on your notes and the tape with start playing from that very SPOT! Just when you were writing that. Extremely handy. Except actually taking notes for me lasted all of about the first 3 weeks of law school then I quit. never was much of a note taker.

[whattodo2008]

Re the Dual Screens -- I've never been much of a desktop guy, but like the dual screen idea. I currently have a 13 inch Macbook and am thinking of picking up the new 15 inch macbook pro ($1699 w/student discount). Any thoughts re this? I figure, the 15 inch could be a decent size for a desktop replacement and it's a strong machine that can be a machine that will become my future laptop for years to come.

[Mr. Pablo]

Re the Dual Screens -- I've never been much of a desktop guy, but like the dual screen idea. I currently have a 13 inch Macbook and am thinking of picking up the new 15 inch macbook pro ($1699 w/student discount). Any thoughts re this? I figure, the 15 inch could be a decent size for a desktop replacement and it's a strong machine that can be a machine that will become my future laptop for years to come.

That is basically the setup I have, a macbook with an extra monitor. It really helps in keeping things organized and easy to see.

[zeth006]

For those of you considering using a dual monitor with your laptop this is the setup that I plan on purchasing for my apartment. There is also a link to amazon where you can buy the actual stand this guy is using.

http://www.desktopped.com/2009/11/macbo ... -inch-lcd/

Will my HP ZR24W monitor fit onto the monitor output?

[ligirl]

tag

[Matthies]

For those of you considering using a dual monitor with your laptop this is the setup that I plan on purchasing for my apartment. There is also a link to amazon where you can buy the actual stand this guy is using.

http://www.desktopped.com/2009/11/macbo ... -inch-lcd/

Will my HP ZR24W monitor fit onto the monitor output?

That monitor has a disply port, but that's not the same as the Mac mini display port, what video out ports are on your Mac?

[stad2234]

For those of you considering using a dual monitor with your laptop this is the setup that I plan on purchasing for my apartment. There is also a link to amazon where you can buy the actual stand this guy is using.

http://www.desktopped.com/2009/11/macbo ... -inch-lcd/

Will my HP ZR24W monitor fit onto the monitor output?

Not sure. Here is a link to the site with all the specifications on it (http://ergotron.com/Products/tabid/65/P ... fault.aspx). Im guessing that your HP has a 24" screen and i think this stand only accommodates up to a 20" screen. They might have some other products that will hold a larger screen though.

[zeth006]

For those of you considering using a dual monitor with your laptop this is the setup that I plan on purchasing for my apartment. There is also a link to amazon where you can buy the actual stand this guy is using.

http://www.desktopped.com/2009/11/macbo ... -inch-lcd/

Will my HP ZR24W monitor fit onto the monitor output?

Not sure. Here is a link to the site with all the specifications on it (http://ergotron.com/Products/tabid/65/P ... fault.aspx). Im guessing that your HP has a 24" screen and i think this stand only accommodates up to a 20" screen. They might have some other products that will hold a larger screen though.

I'm going to take a pass on buying that stand. I got a couple of thick books and placed them under my laptop which is already elevated slightly by a cooler. Now it's sitting next to my monitor and my wireless keyboard sis comfortably with the corner of the laptop elevated an inch above it. When I get my apartment, I'll need to get a bigger desk.

[zeth006]

For those of you considering using a dual monitor with your laptop this is the setup that I plan on purchasing for my apartment. There is also a link to amazon where you can buy the actual stand this guy is using.

http://www.desktopped.com/2009/11/macbo ... -inch-lcd/

Will my HP ZR24W monitor fit onto the monitor output?

Not sure. Here is a link to the site with all the specifications on it (http://ergotron.com/Products/tabid/65/P ... fault.aspx). Im guessing that your HP has a 24" screen and i think this stand only accommodates up to a 20" screen. They might have some other products that will hold a larger screen though.

I'm going to take a pass on buying that stand. I got a couple of thick books and placed them under my laptop which is already elevated slightly by a cooler. Now it's sitting next to my monitor and my wireless keyboard sis comfortably with the corner of the laptop elevated an inch above it. When I get my apartment, I'll need to get a bigger desk.

[jl2032]

I just saw this and thought of this thread...

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... 55-600263-

It's a 22" monitor (1920x1080), wireless keyboard and mouse for $168.99 plus 1 year warranty

[GoodToBeTheKing]

.

[whattodo2008]

I just saw this and thought of this thread...

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... 55-600263-

It's a 22" monitor (1920x1080), wireless keyboard and mouse for $168.99 plus 1 year warranty

Is it safe to say that this is considered a "steal" ?!?!?

[GoodToBeTheKing]

I just saw this and thought of this thread...

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... 55-600263-

It's a 22" monitor (1920x1080), wireless keyboard and mouse for $168.99 plus 1 year warranty

Is it safe to say that this is considered a "steal" ?!?!?

I really hope that this deal stays around for a while so I can get it after I get paid.

[beef wellington]

I just saw this and thought of this thread...

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... 55-600263-

It's a 22" monitor (1920x1080), wireless keyboard and mouse for $168.99 plus 1 year warranty

[Alyssa]

I just saw this and thought of this thread...

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... 55-600263-

It's a 22" monitor (1920x1080), wireless keyboard and mouse for $168.99 plus 1 year warranty

Is it safe to say that this is considered a "steal" ?!?!?

You could find other brands of monitor for less, but I like dell and the warranty is nice.

There's an Acer 20" monitor (1600x900) at Staples for $109 right now.
http://www.staples.com/product-nr_80530 ... PID=600263



I like to monitor this stuff (pun intended).

[Sangiovese]

0L here, but I do technical writing for a living and agree wholeheartedly that dual monitors are worth their weight in gold when you're working with multiple documents.

The large desk recommendation is probably personal preference, but I'm on board with that as well. I work much better when I have room to spread my stuff out.

I just got done building my study cave, complete with gigantic desk (7' wide and 3' deep) and dual monitors (16" on the laptop and a pretty nice Samsung 23"). Also added a recliner for reading... along with a whiteboard and some misc stuff.

It's not as pretty as some of the other setups posted... but I think it'll serve me well.

[vexion]

Just curious, since I get bitten by the tech bug every time I read a thread like this... anyone have experience with three monitors? I'm now seriously (and stupidly) considering upgrading to a newer Radeon just for an Eyefinity gaming setup, but I want to know if anyone's used three monitors in a work setting before. I'm of the initial impression that "more is better," but besides loss of desk real estate and people thinking I'm weird when they see my apartment, would there be any drawbacks to a three-monitor setup for law school?

[merichard87]

Sorry for derailing this thread even further but I must ask. Whats the best TV brand for gaming/using as a monitor for the laptop/high def tv?

[eth3n]

Just curious, since I get bitten by the tech bug every time I read a thread like this... anyone have experience with three monitors? I'm now seriously (and stupidly) considering upgrading to a newer Radeon just for an Eyefinity gaming setup, but I want to know if anyone's used three monitors in a work setting before. I'm of the initial impression that "more is better," but besides loss of desk real estate and people thinking I'm weird when they see my apartment, would there be any drawbacks to a three-monitor setup for law school?

There is no good reason not to buy 3 if you are thinking about buying 2. Your nerd friends would vilify you if you only got a dual setup. I don't have it myself, but it is awesome for pretty much everything I could think of at the time I used it (research+writing or dealing with multiple documents obvs is amazing, you can actually game on 3 [although you may feel guilty as this is tantamount to cheating], and just browsing/etc is so much nicer). Just make sure you have a desk where you can put enough room between the monitor and your face. Check out hardforum for more success stories.