AAUG Reviews

by Chris Tofteberg ,AAUG Member

Belkin is well known for the accessories they make for the Mac, the iPod and just general gadgets like USB hubs. I’ve been very impressed with every Belkin product I’ve ever owned. Except perhaps this one, the Belkin Washable Mouse.

How the Washable Mouse differs from most of the other mouses out there is that it can be, as the name implies, washed. And not just wiped off, but rinsed under running water. All mouses become dirty after a while, no matter how good your hygiene is. And you usually dig out some cleaner and a cloth to gently rub the gunk off. The Washable Mouse makes it so you can be more liberal with your cleaner and water if you choose. I just had to douse the mouse in water to see how it held up, and it worked just fine after wiping it down with a towel.

The mouse looks and feels like a traditional mouse except that the top part your hand sets on is sealed in a rubber-like coat. The Washable Mouse features two buttons (if you push them both you get a center-click, something I’ve never found a use for) and a unique Scroll Pad. The Scroll Pad has no moving parts and is touch sensitive. The Scroll Pad can also side scroll but the oblong shape of it, about the width of your finger, does not bode well for side scrolling. (more…)

by Gary Miller ,AAUG Member

The new Belkin TuneBase FM charges your iPod and allows it to play over your car’s stereo system. Best is that with a stronger receiver, it brings in weak channels.

Here’s how it works. One end plugs into your cigarette lighter or power plug in. Then you find the perfect fitting cradle that holds your iPod in place, I used a full sized iPod Video, but had to take it out of it’s case, I would appreciate a larger cradle so i could use my case on the iPod. Anyway, when the iPod meets the power source, the FM station light comes on. With a quick click, it finds the best station, and you can search for 2 stations for it’s memory or you can manually do it. Then you tune your FM car radio to the same station - I use the FM2 area, to set my car’s radio on these stations, so i can just toggle between them, and you begin hearing what’s playing on your iPod. When I was in some areas of town, the signal was weak, so I again hit the button to seek stations, and it again found new ones that brought in the signal perfectly.

Another way it helps, is using mono frequency in weak areas, so it doesn’t have to work as hard as it does with Stereo stations. (more…)

by Elaine Robinson ,AAUG Member

We want to protect our expensive computers and the choices of bags in the market are numerous. The problem becomes how to choose the bag that is right for us. It comes down to a matter of personal taste and how you plan to use it. I wanted protection for my laptop, no bulk, and a bag that looked stylish. I found all that I wanted in the Ladies Brown 15.4″ Laptop Case. (I really don’t think a man would mind carrying it too). One feature of the Belkin Laptop Case that I think is really super is the removable laptop sleeve which sits inside the bag and cradles your precious computer. Without much of the bulk, you could carry your computer in the sleeve from office to office or to classrooms without having to carry the entire bag. The sleeve has a stylish velcro enclosure and a pocket inside to hold your mouse or cables.

Some of the other features are:
Quick-access zipper pocket
Back pocket for books and magazines
Side pocket for quick access
6 stationery pockets
Loop for key-chain clip
and also the Removable laptop sleeve (Tan with brown velcro flap)

The comfortable rolled handles can be held or are sufficiently long enough to be worn over the shoulder. You could put your cell phone in the handy (more…)

by Gary Miller, AAUG Member

The just released Belkin Messenger bag for a portable computer up to 15.4″ is well thought out design. Seems many cases don’t have a good strap that will actually go over your shoulder,no matter your size - this one fits all sizes easily is adjustable and padded, too few pockets or ones with zippers - this one has endless choices, sizes, both inside and out, often you see an ugly color design- this Messenger has multiple choices, all nice for either sex, such as the jet ( black ) with cabernet (red) on the back on the exterior strap and interior spaces I’m reviewing here. I’ve tested and used leather that often scratches easily, versus a hardy canvas like material, the Belkin design for the Messenger is polyester, easily washable with soap and water.

When we open the case from the twin handles for ease of carrying, or the padded strap, we find a nicely padded area for your computer. Also a carrying pouch is included for extras. Compartments for your power supply, pens, etc are there. On the exterior is a larger sized compartment for holding files, and one with a zipper too, with interior compartments so things don’t slide around. I think the designers actually used this case, for it shows high quality design with matching functionality. (more…)

by Susan Veatch Golds, AAUG Member

I was very interested in finding an easy solution in avoiding a “hot lap”. The PocketTop sounded like it would be helpful. My Mac Book Pro 17 inch barely fit inside the case. The plug in for the Mac is on the left side and it is impossible to leave it attached when zipping the case. The case has to be zipped before putting the power supply into the front pouch, or I can’t get it zipped. It is unfortunately more difficult than I would like to zip the case up. The size restriction was NOT printed on the product itself.

The website states that the PocketTop works with 15.4″ wide screens or smaller. Since the trend is for larger screens on laptops, I believe the PocketTop should be larger to be more versatile.

My husband has a Dell Inspiron 1521 has a 15.4 ” wide screen with an extra deluxe battery. The zipper did not fit over the corner on the side where the battery took up too much room in the back to fit squarely in the case. Because of the tight fit, even though the Dell has the power outlet in the back of the laptop, it was not practical to leave it plugged in and zip the computer up.

He also found that the support to aerate the computer actually blocked the vent holes.

His mouse was too large to fit into the accessory pouch. (more…)

by Anita Williams, AAUG Member

I was excited to see this charger since I often travel without my computer but with my phone and iPod. Now I just pack one plug-in charging device for both items. Another nice feature is that the plug prongs on the charger fold up for easy storage or transport.

I have charged both my iPod and my phone at the same and have not had any problems. The device comes with a USB-to-dock connector cable for the iPod and a USB-to-mini-USB cable that can be used for most cell phones. The cords are 6 feet long, very handy for easily reaching an electric outlet.

The iPod charger is compatible with the 1st and 2nd generation nano; the 1st generation mini; the 5th generation (video) 30,60 and 80 GB; the 4th generation (color display) 20, 30, 40 and 60 GB; and the 4th generation 20 and 40 GB.

by Chris Tofteberg, AAUG Member

If you need a laptop bag and love pockets (and lots of them) like I do, then you’ll love Belkin’s Sling Bag for your MacBook or MacBook Pro. The Sling Bag is a messenger-style laptop bag with a shoulder strap that is designed to cross your torso. I found this design to have the ease of use of a shoulder bag with the fit of a backpack. The canvas-like material that the Sling Bag is made of is durable. So durable that Belkin puts a lifetime warranty on their bag.

This is going to sound like I’m talking about a sports car, but the Sling Bag is elegant and sleek in appearance, a very handsome bag. And by sleek I also mean slim, so don’t expect to be stuffing a basketball in it. That’s not to say that there isn’t plenty of storage; the Sling Bag has tons of pockets and sleeves to stow your various items.

The bag’s primary purpose is to carry and protect your laptop, which the Sling Bag does an excellent job of. The laptop compartment is padded on all six sides and rests against your back when wearing the bag. My 13″ MacBook fit perfectly in the Sling Bag and Belkin claims it will hold laptops up to 15″ which it appears that it would do without a problem.

There’s even a zippered bag inside the Sling Bag for storing your cords and adapters for your laptop. (more…)

by Guy Okada, AAUG Member

On a recent trip to the Apple Store at their campus in Cupertino, California, I picked up a new 3rd generation iPod nano. I love the newest nano because it i so compact but it is also a challenge to handle without a case. When Belkin released their Leather Folio case for this nano, I jumped on it.

Leather Folio comes in three colors according to their website but the packaging indicates three colors: Cameo (pink), Persimmon and Black. I have the black version with chocolate edges and it is very attractive and complements my black nano well. The leather case opens like a tri-fold wallet and the nano slips into the case from the center. The inside lining of the case is suede and a magnetic closure keeps it shut. I liked the clear screen protector but am less enamored with the label that says “Belkin Los Angeles Since 1992″ that is glued on the inside of the case. Just a small label saying “Belkin” would suffice. The outer right side of the case also has a small folded tab with the Belkin name on it. This label is unnecessary and detracts from the sleek lines of the case. The headphone jack is easily accessible but to dock the nano you will need to take it out of the case.

Overall the case fits nicely, is well made and is very attractive. The one drawback is the clickwheel access. First of all, my fingers are a little thicker than most and the combination of the thick leather and the small clickwheel (more…)

by Gary Miller, AAUG Member

Finally, a surge protector that adds to your work environment. Enter the new Belkin Conceal Surge Protector, a beige colored protector that literally hides your plugs, cords with an envelope acting cover so you only see a slim rectangle of a box with one cord coming out to your AC power.

If you’re like me, I have way too many wires creeping out of outlets, and when I do find a surge protector, it’s ugly, clunky, and yet, says it works well. I add, that it’d be nice to have one that’s attractive, so leave it to innovator Belkin to answer my prayers! It’s easy to use, allowed space for different sized plugs with it’s 11 surge protected outlets ( 6 regular, 4 blockspace, 1 convenience). It also had 1 in, 2 out phone/fax/modem protection. Nice bonus. and comes with a $ 300,000 Connected Equipment Warranty, WOW.

Specs:
11 Outlets including phone,fax, modem protection
6 Ft Cord
3195 Joules of Surge Protection
$300,000 Connected Equipment Warranty

In a few words…. it’s works perfectly, go buy one, and say goodbye to clutter!
You can buy online from Belkin:”

by Mary Jo Burns, AAUG Member

This PocketTop works quite well for me.  I carry my laptop around to various rooms easily with the power cords tucked in the convenient pocket.  I can put various other needed item in the pocket also.  I enjoy the bright cheerful color.

The materials are easy to clean and keep tidy looking.  The special edging around the inside of the handle is durable and protects the area where dirty hands could dirty that area.  This edging also looks stylish.  The shape is also appealing to me as it looks stylish and “retro”.  The style reminds me of the “Jetson’s”.  The overall workmanship is quite nice and finished looking.  The zipper works well also.

When I sit with the laptop on my lap alone it heats up uncomfortably.  When I use the PocketTop it insulates my legs from the heat, making using the computer for long hours more comfortable.

I enjoy using this PocketTop and it is quite functional.  It works well as a cover for the laptop when I am not using it also.  Thank you for providing this product for me to review.