Hands on with TiPB accessories

You’ve got your hands on the coolest laptop ever made — the Titanium PowerBook — and you need accessories for taking it on trips. We’ve road tested three TiPB accessories that are worth your consideration.

The first is the TiCase, a carrying case for the TiPB that ships from Dr. Bott LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of Mac peripherals. It’s simply gorgeous, but at US$399, isn’t for everyone.

My kids said I looked like a spy carrying the brushed aluminum shell case around with me. And, in fact, it was a predecessor of the TiCase that James Bond had in hand when he jumped from the balcony in “The World is not Enough.” (Not surprisingly, many people have mistaken me for Pierce Brosnan.)

Looks aren’t everything, so, thankfully, the TiCase is sturdy. Besides its tough (though, as I found out, not unscratchable) shell, it packs two-inches of closed cell styrofoam. Cut-outs cover the power supply, power cable and accessories to protect the TiBook from accidental scratches.

The design of the TiCase is clever. A detachable cover lets you use your Titanium PowerBook while it’s in the case using special “Lift-o-Matic” rear pads. Lift off the lid, press gently on the rear corners of the PowerBook, and your laptop lifts into working position. The “Lift-o-Matic” telescopic feet raise the rear of the TiBook so that the natural decline of your knees is properly balanced and the TiBook comes to a level rest in desk height. The Lift-o-Matic also offers some “lift” for air to circulate under the Apple laptop.

The TiCase also has a combination lock. It weights under 11.5 pounds — and that’s with the Titanium PowerBook inside.

Those with more limited budgets should check out the TiBook Tote & Lift from Cyber3. At $39.95, it’s wonderful in its simplicity — and a must-have for any PowerBook owner who suffered from “handle envy” when viewing the original line of iBooks.

The TiBook Tote & Tilt simply lets you add a handle to your TiPB that makes it easy and convenient for carrying the laptop to meetings or to class. It’s easy to install. All you need are the tools that come with the Tote & Lift and about five minutes of time.

It attaches to the TiPB’s screen hinge brackets. Not to worry. The door covering all the connector points in the rear of the TiBook are totally accessible, flat or tilted, when the Tote & Tilt is installed.

The device also tilts the Tote & Lift at an angle that makes it easier to see the screen and to type. Tilting it also allows for the bottom of the TiBook to be raised, allowing, as with the TiCase, better cooling.

The device is very light. Attach it to your Apple portable and the whole thing still weighs less than 5.4 pounds. You can bet I’ll be using my Tote & Lift-equipped PowerBook as I lug my laptop to cover Steve Jobs’ keynotes.

And if you’re on the road with your TiPB (or new iBook, for that matter) and need to be able to quickly set up and work anytime, a portable laptop stand from insTand can be handy.

The insTand worktable is a wafer-thin, laptop-size aluminum tray covered in a non-skid material to hold your laptop in place. It attaches to a lightweight tripod and fits right into laptop case with the computer. The tripod can be adjusted with a single knob and folds umbrella-like. You can set it up quickly, as in under a minute.

All insTands include the tripod and a tray as described above. Two of the models come with a leatherette carry bag. Prices range from $89.95 to $199.95.

Admittedly, I don’t consider my insTand an indispensable item (after all, I’m usually sitting and writing) and rarely take it on long trips. But if you use your laptop while on your feet (such as presentations), it could prove very handy indeed.