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Post iPad, Build 2

The heavy MacBook is gone, having been replaced by a 2007 iMac, iPad and dual-band Airport Extreme Base Station, which has radically improved wi-fi performance over my previous router/hub.

2.0GHz iMac w/ 20-inch — 4GB, 250GB, 8X SuperDrive
— A year newer than my previous iMac (2006), but a huge leap forward in industrial design and display quality. Though the processor speed is a tick less, it’s noticeably faster.

Apple Keyboard w/ Numeric Keypad (wired)
— This is the best keyboard I’ve owned since the ’90s — smooth, comfortable.

Microsoft Basic Optical Mouse
— I’ve tried a lot of mice over the years, but always keep coming back to the basic two-button w/ scroll wheel models of yore. This particular one is available from Wal-Mart for about $12.

2 x Neptune 500GB external enclosures
— One of these is used for TimeMachine back up + software storage and the second houses my movie and music collections (running out of space all the way ’round)

Airport Extreme Base Station ($80, Craigslist)
— What a huge difference this dual-band router/hub has made, extending wi-fi to the entire house and spreading it well out into the yard. Chances are whatever you’re using now isn’t as good, but shop around for the best deal.
— My previous router/hub was a D-Link DI-524, which was often flaky and offered rather limited range.

Cables To Go 7-Port USB 2.0 Aluminum Hub
— Finally enough (powered) ports and stylish, too!

Mobile me

16GB Wi-Fi iPad
— This mobile wonder replaced an Early 2008 MacBook.

Apple Wireless Keyboard
— An indispensable tool for mobile blogging with the iPad

Fourth generation 8GB iPod touch
— My son earned a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
— Review: Why buy the Fourth Generation iPod touch

Kodak EasyShare 5300
— A rock solid all-in-one (cheap ink) that I picked up at a bargain store (Ollies) for under $40.

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