The Macintosh Wizard And PC Tech Blog

Going back to school this year can be a much better experience with a few of these accessories. From grade school to college, be prepared for many years.

Updated: Music is key, so I have added several choices of portable Bluetooth enabled speakers for your listening pleasure.

Boogie Board Sync 9.7
http://www.myboogieboard.com/na/products/boogie-board-sync-9.html

The Boogie Board Sync 9.7 is a Bluetooth and E-ink enabled digital notepad compatible with iOS, Android, Mac and Windows. Create a new note in seconds, save it and upload it to your device of choice or the cloud. Evernote’s integration makes it a great choice even for those in professional settings. It can store up to 5,000 pages of notes. Where the Boogie Board Sync shines is in the virtual whiteboard scenario. Connect it to a Mac and a projector. Then draw on the Sync’s writing surface with its included stylus for a real-time view.

Logitech Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/illuminated-keyboard-for-mac-ipad-iphone?crid=1240

Going mobile with a multitude of tech accessories can add a significant amount of weight to a backpack or attaché. Drop some of the bulk with Logitech’s Easy-Switch keyboard. It can pair with up to three Apple devices via Bluetooth. The keys are backlit and are made well enough to type on for hours. A USB cable is included for easier recharging of its long lasting battery.

Genius Pack The Entrepreneur Bag
http://www.geniuspack.com/collections/carry-on/products/entrepreneur

Looking to trade in that boring old backpack? Upgrade to Genius Pack’s The Entrepreneur bag and be one step closer to landing that internship. It comes with waterproof protected zippers, a special spot for Genius Pack’s charger backup battery module, compartments specifically designed for laptops and tablets, neoprene comfort grip handles and a nicely padded shoulder strap. GP’s battery module has 2,000 mAh of recharging power that can charge an iPhone up to full.

Netgear Push2TV
http://www.netgear.com/home/products/connected-entertainment/wireless-display-adapters/PTV3000.aspx

There are more ways now than ever to mirror your mobile device’s screen on a TV to watch movies, Internet videos or scroll through party pics. Netgear’s wireless Push2TV solution can stream up to 1080p video from any Intel WiDi, Miracast or WiFi Direct compatible device. The Push2TV connects to a TV via HDMI and is powered by a USB charger. If your HDMI compatible TV has a USB port, as most do these days, it can be powered from the TV directly, saving you a coveted spot on the power strip.

G-Technology G-Drive 1TB USB 3.0
http://www.g-technology.com/products/g-drive-mobile-usb-1-tb-portable-hard-drive

The bus powered 1TB mobile hard drive spins at 7,200 RPM allowing for a fast data transfer rate of 136MB per second via USB 3.0 and is compatible with USB 2.0. The premium aluminum design looks and plays nice with Windows and Mac computers. Store all of your music, lots of movies and thousands of docs with this drive. You can even set it up to backup your computer. A three-year warranty and all of the cables are included.

Jawbone UP24 Wristband
http://jawbone.com/store/buy/up24

The UP24 everyday activity tracker from Jawbone comes in six colors and syncs wirelessly to your mobile device. The reports it creates are some of the best I’ve seen. In those reports it shows you steps, calories burned, miles walked, sleep patterns and it helps you to stay fit with motivational reminders. It features seven days of battery life and is compatible with a wide range of Apple iDevices plus a few select Android smartphones. Get motivated, explore and tackle the Freshman 15 with Jawbone’s UP24.

Netgear Nighthawk X6 Tri-band WiFi Router
http://netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-routers/R8000.aspx

Netgear’s newest WiFi router has three wireless radios to make sure your 802.11ac and 802.11n devices are connecting at the fastest possible speed. The six top mounted antennas are adjustable. Directing a total 3.2Gbps of WiFi signal via beamforming+ technology. Connect laptops, desktops, smartphones, gaming systems, TVs and music streamers all to the Nighhawk X6. Newer 802.11ac devices will achieve the most streaming speed improvement over other WiFi routers on the market. ReadyShare technology enabled on both the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports can share a backup drive and printer, simultaneously. Go further and faster with Netgear’s X6.

Limefuel Rugged L150XR 15,000 mAh Backup Battery
http://www.limefuel.com/pages/product-rugged

Running from class to class and dorm to meeting hall can exhaust even the most robust batteries in today’s mobile tech. That’s where Limefuel’s Rugged 15,000 mAh dual USB L150XR comes into play. It can charge two iPads up to about 50% each from a depleted state. The Rugged battery is IP66 certified for its resistance to water, dust and shock. Unique to this mega battery, it can simultaneously charge a device, while it is being charged, via passthrough charging. You can leave it unattended to power up a smartphone and it will preserve its battery once finished. An included 2-in-1 Micro USB with Lightning-compatible power cable works with Android phones, tablets, iPhones, iPads and iPods. The 2.4A max power per USB charging port can provide that quick charge you need.

Netgear EX6100 WiFi Range Extender
http://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-range-extenders/EX6100.aspx

The EX6100 WiFi range extender from Netgear works with any regular WiFi router. This dual band unit supports a total of 750Mbps between its 5GHz 802.11ac and 2.4GHz 802.11n/g/b channels. It features a wall plug design for easy placement and has two antennas to distribute signal. Travelers may enjoy a boosted WiFi signal in their room or connect it to a wired connection and create your own WiFi hotspot.

Incipio iPhone 5s Cases

Focal
http://www.incipio.com/cases/iphone-cases/iphone-5s-cases/focal-camera-case-for-iphone-5s.html

iPhone photographers can rejoice with Incipio’s case specially made to help you snap better pics. An integrated grip, dedicated shutter and zoom buttons reduces blurry photos. Their inCAMERA app is free to download from Apple’s App Store, which includes a helpful interface for all camera functions. The wrist strap is a nice touch on top of already handy iPhone case.

Offgrid with Qi wireless charging
http://www.incipio.com/chargers/offgrid-backup-battery-cases/offgrid-trade-with-qi-iphone-5-5s.html

It used to be that charging smartphones, specifically the iPhone 5 couldn’t be done wirelessly. Incipio’s ingenious Offgrid Qi case offers wireless charging and an extra battery rated at 1,600 mAh. This nearly doubles the available power to your iPhone 5s. So go ahead and sign up for an extra class and a study group.

Offgrid Rugged
http://www.incipio.com/offgrid-rugged-battery-case-2000mah-for-iphone-5.html

Are you more a rough and tumble sort with your iPhone? Incipio has you covered two times with their Offgrid Rugged backup battery case. Its 2,000 mAh battery provides an extra eight hours of talk time. It comes in four colors to match your style. Push the limits with an included scratch-resistant tempered glass screen guard. This case won’t bulk up your slender iPhone like some of the other rugged iPhone cases out there.

D-Link DAP-1650 AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/access-points-range-extenders-and-bridges/dap-1650-wireless-ac1200-gigabit-range-extender

The next level range extender from D-Link provides up to 1,200 Gbps of combined bandwidth, four gigabit Ethernet ports, a media bridge mode, dual bands and a USB 2.0 port. This range extender has an innovative way of making existing 2.4GHz WiFi devices even faster. It does this by routing the slower traffic through its 5 GHz wireless channel. This is a good wireless gadget to install near a media cabinet that contains devices with wired Ethernet connections. Plug in a USB 2.0 compatible drive on the D-Link DAP-1650 to share the storage with the entire network. The 802.11ac wireless range extender is a great device to use in a multistory residence or office that has a router with the same WiFi standard. Get full bars of signal even on the second floor.

D-Link DIR-510L AC750 Mobile Wireless Router
http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/routers/dir-510l-wi-fi-ac750-portable-router-and-charger

High in benefits, the D-Link offers the world’s first dual band 802.11ac mobile WiFi router and charger. Dual USB ports supply a slot for a 3G or 4G USB modem and the other can share a USB data stick on the local network. The integrated Ethernet port is great for using in convention spaces or hotels rooms that only supply a wired connection to the Internet. Its 4,000 mAh battery is useful to top up a smartphone that needs an extra power boost via the 1A rated USB port. It can also act as a WiFi extender for when a needed signal doesn’t reach far enough. D-Link has come up with a handy wireless companion for people on the go that need to stay connected for up to eight hours using its battery.

Fugoo Tough Speaker
http://www.fugoo.com/fugoo-tough/

Fugoo’s Tough speaker is for those serious audiophiles who look for maximum sound, portability and stamina. They offer a 40 hour rated battery, crafted from fiber-reinforced resin and solid aluminum. The result is a 360-degree speaker that can go all weekend long. Fugoo’s Tough jacketed speaker is also a chameleon blending with your surroundings via their innovative Sport or Style jackets. Don’t have a place to set the speaker down? They have a portable strap that can fit around trees.

Jabra Solemate Mini
http://www.jabra.com/Products/Speakers/Jabra_SOLEMATE_Mini/Jabra_SOLEMATE_Mini

Big sound from an ultra-compact Jabra Solemate Mini with this anywhere Bluetooth pocket-sized speaker. Elevate your surroundings with Jabra’s legendary build quality. An integrated audio cord is included in the bottom of the speaker for your non Bluetooth audio tech, too. Pair that with almost eight hours of battery life and you could be rocking from the first bell to your ride home.

Tego Audio’s CERA Bluetooth Speaker
http://www.tegoaudio.com/collections/cera/products/cera-wireless-portable-speaker-mini-portable-speaker-black

Tego has one of the smallest, but still powerful speakers, on the market with upgraded Bluetooth 3.0 and a fun popup center illuminated touch control panel. Bluetooth 3.0 allows this device to connect audio devices faster and provide improved sound quality over Bluetooth 2.1. This newer model can be daisy chained to create a surround or stereo sound type experience. With a battery rating of five to seven hours of continuous play, it can outlast any homework or epic study session.

Disclaimer: I am a Netgear and Verizon Wireless Buzz Group Ambassador. I did not receive compensation for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Most photos are courtesy of the respective brand.