Welcome to the first Geek on the Cheap, a new weekly blog post offering inexpensive (or free) ways to meet your tech needs.
I lust after the hottest/coolest gadgets and software that hit the market every day. I salivate over Engadget and Geek Brief, but I can’t afford to be an “early adopter” like all those lucky owners of the iPhone 3GS or Palm Pre. So I’m always figuring out ways to get as close as possible to what I want or need for as cheap as possible.
Geek on the Cheap is for everyone — including me — who wants to know how to get the best tech bang for the buck. If you have a suggestion, let me know. Or if you have a question, I’ll try to find the best and cheapest solution to your problem or I’ll explain why there’s just no cheap way to do it and what your options are.
What’s the cheapest and best virus software? Do you really need it? Do you need a video cam when your camera shoots video? How fancy does it need to be? What about that new cell phone – maybe you need all the bells and whistles right now, or maybe you should wait six months to buy it. Or should you get it off eBay? I’ll give you as much information as I can, as simply as possible, so you can make your own decision.
#101: Back to School – DIY Laptop Sleeves
Of course, you have to take care of your lovely tech once you buy it, so this first post is a fun back-to-school DIY (do-it-yourself) idea.
This summer I needed to get a laptop sleeve because I was going to start using my new (free) messenger bag which has no padding. I was about to go on vacation and needed something fast but my computer is an odd size (an ultra-portable). So I made my own sleeve out of bubble wrap and duct tape. It cost me $3 for the roll of bubble wrap (I already had duct tape in the house) and it took me an hour.
I just winged it with the creation of my sleeve and it was easy. The sleeve is sturdy and I like the way it looks (it came out just the way I pictured it, kind of technopunk). But after the fact, I discovered there are some great instructions one of my favorite websites, the aptly-named Instructables. Here are three of the most highly rated projects:
- Cushioned Duct Tape Laptop Sleeve — similar to mine
- Hoodie Laptop Sleeve — very green, but be careful of static!
- Laptop Sleeve from a FedEx Envelope/ — total camouflage
Follow the directions (or use them as a jumping-off point) and make your own laptop sleeve. This isn’t a huge savings — you could buy a simple laptop sleeve for $20. Or you could use that money to help pay a bill or go out to eat. Or you could put it toward your next great tech buy. Hmmm, what should it be?
See you next week! (And be sure to write me your questions and ideas by clicking Discuss, below.)