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The Laptop Lover's Guide to Productivity On-the-Go
Posted by Adam Pash at 4:00 AM on January 30, 2008
You're an on-the-go worker, and the one thing you always carry with you? Your trusty laptop, of course. Sure, you've reached a point where you're pretty good at getting things done away from your desk, but you still haven't reached laptop zen—that point at which your laptop does gymnastics for you and is a seamless extension of your productivity. Today we're taking a look at some of the best laptop hacks for notebook enthusiasts, from getting internet access anywhere and keeping your files in sync to adding an anti-theft layer of security to your laptop.
Get Internet Access Anywhere You've Got Your Cell Phone
If you've got a mobile phone with a decent data plan, there's no reason you should ever be without an internet connection on your laptop. Whether you need to access your email or get your daily internet fix, tethering your phone's data plan to your laptop normally costs no more than the price of your data plan.
The process varies depending on the kind of phone you're using, but chances are we've covered your phone or a phone like it before. The absolute simplest method works with Windows Mobile phones, and it's an application called WMWifiRouter. In a nutshell, all you have to do is install this app on your Windows Mobile phone and run it whenever you want to connect to the internet. It'll set up a Wi-Fi network you can connect to through your laptop's Wi-Fi, so there's basically zero configuration. (Read more)
If you're not using a Windows Mobile phone, you can still use many mobiles as a modem. Lastly, if you've got an iPhone, here's how to use your iPhone's internet connection on your laptop.
Turn Your Laptop into an Anti-Theft Device
First of all, let's assume that you're already taking basic precautions with your data, meaning you've set a strong password on your user account (and you've verified that it's not super-easy to crack) and maybe you're even encrypting your data. Fact is, no matter how secure your data is in the digital world, your laptop is disturbingly simple to pick up and walk off with.
If you've got a Windows laptop, freeware application Laptop Alarm locks your computer and sets an alarm whenever anyone tries to unplug the computer, move your mouse, or shutdown/suspend your computer. (Read more) The latest version can even send you a text message as soon as the alarm goes off, so if you're in the bathroom at the library and your laptop sends you this emergency SMS, you'd better zip up fast and see what's up. Then again, let's say someone's already nabbed your computer. You can use LaptopLock to do a number of things when you report your computer stolen, like encrypt files, run applications, or send messages to the thief. It even provides you with the IP address of your computer.
Mac users have the enviable iAlertU (see video above), a freeware application that integrates with the MacBook's motion sensor, iSight camera, and Apple remote to work as a sort of armable security system along the lines of what you use on a car (the remote works like your key fob). I showed you how to turn your iSight into an FTP-backed up security camera using iAlertU, but since then iAlertU has added the option to automatically send the thief's picture to your email address. Handy.
Of course, not all thieves are out to steal your computer—some just want your data. To catch those ruffians, here's how you can take iSight pictures of every invalid login on your computer.
Keep Files in Sync No Matter Where You Are
One of the biggest difficulties for anyone who uses both a laptop and desktop computers is synchronisation. Sure, you can always put files on a thumb drive to use back and forth between computers, but it's still easy to run into problems with conflicting versions of a file or lose track of files. There are a lot of tools that can sync files between computers, but none stand out for their ease-of-use like the freeware, cross-platform FolderShare. It's actually a Microsoft-owned project, but it works with both your Windows and Mac computers, syncing files in real time between selected folders as soon as the files change. (Read more)
Extend Your Battery Life
Tips for extending your battery life have been around since the birth of the laptop, and the most effective ones—like dimming your display, cutting out unnecessary programs, and turning off hardware you're not using (like Bluetooth antennas, for example)—are pretty widely known. But less obvious tips worth looking into on your laptop include adding more RAM (which means your computer will need your hard drive less) or cutting down the graphics-intensive use can also go a long way toward getting those crucial extra minutes from your laptop. Beyond that, these 15 battery tips offer a few more lesser-known battery extenders. (Read more)
To that end, Windows Vista users looking to get the absolute most from their battery between charges should check out the Vista Battery Saver, a freeware application that turns off Aero animations and the Vista Sidebar whenever you unplug your laptop.
Make Your Computer Respond When You Leave and Return
Been dreaming of the days when your computer would keep track of where you are and say, "Hi" when you sit down to work? Freeware applications Home Zone and Home and Away can keep track of your Bluetooth phone or the network you're connected to (respectively) and mount networked drives, set default printers, adjust your volume, pause/play iTunes or set your IM status based on, for example, how close you (and your phone) are to your computer. Home Zone, in particular, offers tons of great options. Unfortunately there aren't really any similar freeware options available for Windows, but for the still-useful-but-less-fun network-detection features offered by Home and Away, the freeware Net Profiles could do the trick.
Laptop DIY
We love a good DIY around these parts, so to round things off let's take a look at some of our favourite laptop DIYs.
First, the laptop stand can be a real neck-saver when you've brought along a separate hardware keyboard and want to prop that laptop up to eye level. You could shell out $45 for the Elevator laptop stand (which, frankly, is a great stand), but why do that when there are so many cheap DIY options available? Turns out you can make a good laptop stand from pretty much anything, from a paper towel holder and shelving to PVC pipe and corks.
Alternately, there's the always important laptop case (after all, you are toting this equipment with you everywhere). We've heard all your favorite laptop cases, but like stands, in the DIY realm you can use just about anything, like duct tape, T-shirts, cardboard, or even a FedEx sleeve to keep your laptop stylishly at your side.
Finally, if you're serious about going DIY with your laptop and you prefer to compute on your back, check out the floating laptop dock.
I tried to avoid covering the same old list of laptop tips, meaning I haven't come close to exhausting tips for the laptop power-user. If you've got your own favourite laptop hacks, let's hear what tips or tools make you into the laptop guru you are in the comments.
Adam Pash is a senior editor for Lifehacker who doesn't feel right if he can't put his PC in a backpack. His special feature Hack Attack appears every Wednesday on Lifehacker.
Tags: downloads | feature | gizmodo | hack attack | laptops | mac os x | top | windows
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
qrius
Posted 4:37 AM 30/1/08
great list Adam!
qrius
eebs
Posted 4:37 AM 30/1/08
Looks great, I can confirm Foldershare is a wonderfully easy to use tool.
Excellent list, thanks!
eebs
Adam Pash, LH Senior Editor
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
@LissaKay: Oh no!
Adam Pash, LH Senior Editor
Pete
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
Excellent guide!
Pete
LissaKay
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
WMWifiRouter appears to have been taken offline, looks like for legal reasons
LissaKay
Adam Pash, LH Senior Editor
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
@modesturgell: According to their list of supported devices, that's exactly the case (though some users report that a special configuration may be required).
Adam Pash, LH Senior Editor
modesturgell
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
So, then If I am not wrong, with application WMWifiRouter, you can have ipod touch (or iphone) at 3G HSDPA speed whenever you go provided you have a mobile with these capacities (and of course accesss to the network), the mobile being the 3G connection and hot spot at the same time.
modesturgell
Duane
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
Make sure, before shutting the laptop, that you've suspended properly. Many's the time I've closed the lid, stuffed laptop in backpack and headed home, only to find a very hot laptop waiting for me hours later because it never powered down. Or, worse, it gets stuck halfway to suspend, so that when I open the machine back up it never comes back to life without a power cycle, killing any work that was in progress.
I've learned, at least with Windows, that certain states will not suspend (i.e. certain types of dialogs open, etc...) So now I plan accordingly, I suspend (Fn+F4 on my ThinkPad), and then while I'm waiting for it to confirm that it's done that, I start looking for dialogs and other modals that might be preventing it from doing so. If it suspends on me in the middle, no big deal.
Duane
[www.connectatcollege.com]
Duane
Adam Pash, LH Senior Editor
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
@firesign: You're right, you should definitely make sure your carrier supports it, and, if not, proceed at your own risk. I wouldn't say that "regular cellphone" can't be used this way, though. I know at the very least that Sprint has plans with regular phones that very much support tethering. I can't say for a fact about other carriers, but at the very least, many phones do support tethering.
Adam Pash, LH Senior Editor
firesign
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
be careful with tethering your phone to your laptop. most cell carriers frown on doing this unless you have a real data plan, not the one thats available for regular cellphones. there have been cases where people have been billed bigtime when caught.
firesign
eKiTeL
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
You can extend battery life with a Battery Geek external battery. I can use my laptop for over 8 hours using it and the internal battery which is great now that some coffee shops are covering up their AC outlets or you can't always get a seat near one.
eKiTeL
engstewart
Posted 6:38 AM 30/1/08
This type of post is the reason why I love Lifehacker. Great summary!
engstewart
jplumey
Posted 7:38 AM 30/1/08
Man! Did anyone get it before they took it down?
jplumey
bret37
Posted 7:38 AM 30/1/08
FolderShare looks neat, does anyone have any tips of removing it from the dock?
bret37
firesign
Posted 7:38 AM 30/1/08
adam: lissakay is correct. the wmwifirouter site is up, but downloads have been disabled.
firesign
Adam Pash, LH Senior Editor
Posted 7:38 AM 30/1/08
@WebCudgel: Weird. Oh well, guess you can still watch the video for inspiration.
Adam Pash, LH Senior Editor
WebCudgel
Posted 7:38 AM 30/1/08
The floating laptop dock has been taken off the website too.
WebCudgel
TomTraubert
Posted 10:37 AM 30/1/08
I found version 0.89 at this address:
[www.freewarepocketpc.net]
It's not the latest, but it's pretty close.
TomTraubert
jackdangers
Posted 11:37 AM 30/1/08
If you have a Nokia phone with GPRS or 3g or other wireless data capabilities, the included Nokie PC Suite software will set up an internet connection for you in Windows XP/Vista automatically. Just connect to your phone via bluetooth or USB and connect to the internet.
Definitely be aware that I have personally heard of AT&T customers being billed for the PC Wireless Broadband after over-zealously using the phone-tethering technique (which, vaguely, I remember as being over $60/month or more).
jackdangers
jpfree
Posted 11:37 AM 30/1/08
Don't forget bluetooth! Many cell phones allow you to get online very easily that way (maybe not so in the US? Works great for me). Most new laptops have bluetooth baked in.
jpfree
foxmajik
Posted 11:37 AM 30/1/08
All you need is a backpack, a laptop and a data card.
foxmajik
TomTraubert
Posted 11:37 AM 30/1/08
Except... that I can't get it to work on my Treo 700W. :|
TomTraubert
absolofdoom
Posted 12:37 PM 30/1/08
No love for linux users, of course.
absolofdoom
xenobyte72
Posted 1:37 AM 31/1/08
There was a time when I could think of no reason for having a laptop, too big to be mobile, too expensive, and relatively poor performance; I recently discovered one reason. I rent a room in a really old house, the wiring is awful and my desktop computer is subjected to brownouts which obviously isn't doing it any good. I wish my desktop had a battery like a laptop, I can't afford a UPS. Or I wish I could get a flatscreen monitor with a built in laptop base.
Laptop keyboards suck, big time.
xenobyte72
graybird
Posted 3:37 AM 31/1/08
@absolofdoom: heh, yea.
so does anyone know of a foldershare equivalent that's actually cross platform?
Purdy? anyone?
graybird
daniel.j.doughty
Posted 7:37 AM 31/1/08
Electronic security is useful, but don't forget the simple and cheap cable lock. Beware, there are cruddy ones out there, and yes even good ones can be worked around, but that's no excuse to not use a physical lock. They're very small and provide a good deal of security.
I mean, you lock your house, car, bicycle, why not your laptop?
daniel.j.doughty
MRCLEAN08
Posted 7:37 AM 31/1/08
I love this list. Also I think laptop owners should keep a good todo list set your homepage. I use www.todopub.com personally, but any simple todo list will work. That way, anytime you open your laptop, you immediately can get an idea of what you may need to do next, and don't open your laptop and aimless surf or work. I have been able to take my laptop from location to location, and stay on task this way.
MRCLEAN08
helmsb
Posted 9:37 AM 1/2/08
Home Zone does not work well with Leopard and appears to no longer be under development. The author is no longer responding to inquiries.
helmsb
LissaKay
Posted 11:37 AM 1/2/08
I found a copy of WifiRouter by using that Google search link that finds MP3s ... add exe to the search terms, search for WifiRouter.
LissaKay
hgalla
Posted 8:37 AM 5/2/08
On the software side - a laptop is only fully productive if it carries everything that's in your mind. I am truly one with my thumb, because I run my consulting business and do all my personal and writing projects on this single 4 lb. Averatec laptop. It engages with me and there is never a mental shift to work with it or another computer. I'd say load the laptop with everything you always use and you'll reach the zen moment.
hgalla
alansz
Posted 8:37 AM 5/2/08
@GRAYBIRD:
Unison is a true cross-platform synchronizer (and open source). Been using it for years to sync my Windows laptop at home to Windows and linux desktops at work. [www.cis.upenn.edu]
alansz
pcrivals
Posted 5:37 AM 6/2/08
This is a really great guide, I love the Home Zone system, although it would probably be a lot more fun than useful!
Thanks
pcrivals