Looking for some stuff to order for the ncsu bookstore computer accesory section. Looking for stuff under 100 bucks. Maybe you thought it was a bargain for the quality, maybe it's the best thing you've ever owned. Give me some ideas for mice you liked, keyboards, laptop accessories, etc. I'm bored and the selection here is feeling a little old.

[Edited on February 4, 2006 at 1:41 PM. Reason : yeah, I know it's supposed to be mouses]

2/4/2006 1:40:23 PM

meh, just trying to make it so the bookstore actually has things you guys want, but whatever. Same old same old is fine I guess.

smoothcrim suggested this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4610637402

but I think that's outside the category

[Edited on February 4, 2006 at 7:03 PM. Reason : ]

2/4/2006 7:01:03 PM

Here are some ideas:

Higher end heatsink/fan combos,
watercooling components / kits / accessories

laptop cooling pads

range of logitech mice, from their laptop portables to the wireless and wired G5/G7 gaming mice
razer mice
ms bluetooth mice and keyboard combo's

thinkgeek.com types of unique novelty/tech items

dremel/craft supplies and accessories for the modders

2/4/2006 8:06:06 PM

alright cool, we've already got about 12 kinds of logitech mice, but more never really hurts, they always sell well. we've tried razer mice and had to return them to the distributer because they never sold, that made me sad.

laptop cooling pads are a good idea, thanks.

we've got some microsoft and logitech cordless desktop sets, but the bluetooth ones are really expensive. you think people really want those?

dremel supplies! doh, yeah I keep forgetting people have been asking ABOUT them, but they always stop short of filling out special orders.

What do you guys thing about razer brand or other high end mouse pads?

I'll have to talk to some of the managers about stuff like fans, cooling, and mod stuff. it'd have to be things with long shelf lives and stable prices for them to try them. internal components have always been a hard sell when I try to put together orders.

[Edited on February 4, 2006 at 8:16 PM. Reason : ]

2/4/2006 8:14:35 PM

that's why i'd suggest accessory / supply / craft kit type things.

Every student can use a dremel, a lot of the cool accessory kits for them, drill bits, screwdriver sets (jewelers screwdrivers / torque bit sets / hex bits) metal snippers, wire strippers, etc.

For things like watercooling, the hoses, pumps, radiators and such have pretty long shelf lives. Unlike most internal components, they are pretty stable for years at a time in the market place. You might only stock one or two tec's and or actual waterblocks at a time.

2/4/2006 8:23:17 PM

yeah, a complete modding section would be something I'll try to do if I don't get the internships I want and am working there again over the summer. but the dremel stuff and tools that have multiple uses for modding as well as general crafts and EE stuff is a good idea. we've got some belkin 70 some peice toolkits and crap, but they're not very visible and yeah, a nice little craft/modding section is not a bad idea at all.

there'll actually be room after this year's sidewalk sale too.

2/4/2006 8:27:23 PM

some thinkgeek type stuff would be cool, as Noen mentioned

2/4/2006 9:30:10 PM

a Jolt cola vending machine

2/4/2006 9:39:14 PM

^ win

Get am icrosoft multimedia keyboard, they are really good on the wrists.

2/4/2006 9:44:56 PM

ok so I just got this logitech g15. it's a bit expensive (costs around $79) but it's the coolest keyboard I've ever used.

http://g15forums.com/

I've messed with some plugins other people have written and looked at the sdk. right now I've got my instant messenger on the lcd and if state still had pop, I'd have email too. I think they order them from time to time at the bookstore.

2/28/2006 11:54:01 AM

Haven't been there in awhile, but 5 of every type of USB cable you can think of. USB to PS/2, PS/2 to USB, all the different connections. Extension cords of each. Powered Hubs would be a nice plus as well.

2/28/2006 12:17:06 PM

I have a belkin nostromo N52 speedpad and its absolutely the best thing you can possibly get for FPS gaming.

2/28/2006 2:05:08 PM

Quote :

"Haven't been there in awhile, but 5 of every type of USB cable you can think of. USB to PS/2, PS/2 to USB, all the different connections. Extension cords of each. Powered Hubs would be a nice plus as well."

yeah this kind of stuff would be a huge help, everyone always needs connecters and adapters.

i think basic atx power supplies would be a good idea as they're always failing for one reason or another. maybe stock a cheap one ~$30 and a mid-range antec or something ~50/60

other internal components are not so important, and can be found cheaper online and don't constitute an emergency when they go bad (as power supplies do)

2/28/2006 2:20:17 PM

Yeah, the inability to effectively compete with online retailers in OEM parts is why we probably never will carry a large ammount of them.

We've got tons of powered hubs, extension cables, and usb/ps2 adapters. They're just placed weirdly I think. But yeah, I'll see about carrying power supplies. We probably won't order alot of things till the summer's almost over at this point though, since we're about to crack down on inventory and shrink everything. Hell, they're doing a massive 40% almost everything in the store because we're over inventory. Pretty sure most of the computer connections stuff isnt 40% off though, maybe just 10%. But yeah, when they're doing that, I kind of lose leeway on ordering new things.

One of the things I was looking at carrying later was the "chill hub" it's a 4 port usb hub that also cools off your computer.

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 2:40 PM. Reason : ]

2/28/2006 2:40:05 PM

Quote :

"Yeah, the inability to effectively compete with online retailers in OEM parts is why we probably never will carry a large ammount of them. "

right, but the convenience factor is huge when dealing with computer systems. if you have a system down, and the quickest (aka same-day, and right by the dorms) way of getting it up is getting a part at the bookstore then a price premium is worth it to most people.

2/28/2006 4:48:40 PM

yeah, I definately agree that keeping a supply of commonly-failing parts would be good. PSU's are probably the only thing I can really see doing that with though for internal stuff.

2/28/2006 4:52:02 PM

hahah man I remember when you used to be able to spend your cash points at the bookstore.

That shit was great.

"SCREW BOOKS I CAN BUY COMPUTER PARTS WITH MY FOOD MONEY!"

^ memory, specially for those l33t 0verc10ck0rz

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 4:58 PM. Reason : .]

2/28/2006 4:57:48 PM

You still can. We can special order pretty much any kind of computer component, even if we don't carry them there at the time. Hell, if you're building a computer towards the end of the year and still have all-campus bucks, you can just use it towards a Radeon x1900 or something.

But yeah, as far as memory goes... maybe, but there's far too much variety and it'd be hard to find things to carry we wouldn't have to send back.

The nostromo speedpad is something they'd be willing to order and try out during back to school. So sad that I'm limited in reordering right now.

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 5:10 PM. Reason : ]

2/28/2006 5:04:06 PM

I've been needing a PS2 to USB converter for I don't know how long. Newegg is $5, $10 with shipping. I'd pay $10 at a local shop. Reason I mention the USB cords and stuff ... tons of people have digital cameras, iPods, etc. and can/will frequently lose cords, want to extra to carry in their bag, etc.

-Power cords for computer/monitors (yes, you lose those as well).
-Also look into gel pads/wrist protectors for keyboards and mice.
-1/8 extension cords for most headphones / computer speaker configurations. 1/8 Y splitters are also a nice plus.
-Customized CAT5 length cutting would earn mad $texas.
-Floppy Disks, Zip Disks, etc. etc (if you don't already)

2/28/2006 8:50:46 PM

Quote :

"I've been needing a PS2 to USB converter for I don't know how long. "

tigerdirect on capital has them for cheap just fyi

2/28/2006 8:56:34 PM

^^ Yeah a spool of cat5e and a crimper and a bin of ends would cost us nothing, and we wouldn't have to always wait on comtech to make more cables when we ran out...

We've already got all those cords. We have adapters that'll allow ps/2 devices to plug into usb, are you looking for an adapter that'll let a usb device plug into a ps/2 port?

2/28/2006 9:36:57 PM

cans of air duster.

Paint them red.

and call them

"Fart Extinguishers"

2/28/2006 9:41:02 PM

Razer Copperhead

http://razerzone.com/

2/28/2006 9:54:50 PM

^^ ahaha, the airdusters are one of those things we can never keep in stock. I bet we could brand some of them with the ncstate logo and double the price though. seems to work on almost everything else.

^ I wish, I tried to carry those but nobody bought them. we had the diamond back, copperhead, and viper for like a month. had to return them to the distributer. maybe something to carry at the beginning of the year.

So far good suggestions (that we don't already have):

Dremel kits
Razer brand mice (but have to have them in during back to school and probably not re-order them)
More kinds of usb cables/addapters
Laptop Cooling pads (like the chillhub)
Nostromo Speedpad
ATX Powersupplies
Per-foot custom cabling (I like that one the most so far)
Some basic cooling accessories
Some basic casemodding stuff (probably in kit form)

How about HDMI cables and stuff like that? The only problem is the ones we get don't have real retail packaging. They're really well made and all, but they come in "cables to go" bags. think anyone would buy them?

Our relatively cheap DVI and VGA cables have never done well though.

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 10:04 PM. Reason : ]

2/28/2006 9:56:26 PM

Yeah, I didn't expect you to carry it. I was just listing it because it was my favorite mouse that I use for gaming. Good luck though. I'm glad you guys are asking students about what they want to carry in the store instead of deciding for them.

2/28/2006 10:04:24 PM

THAT'S NOT WHAT I WAS TOLD!

THAT'S NOT WHAT I WAS TOLD!

I want to order dells in the bookstore!

(Hahaha)

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 10:11 PM. Reason : We already carry the garbage that I like.]

And we ought to carry just a couple palm accessories if R&B will let us. Styluses and screen protectors for the models that we sell. Just a small order though.

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 10:15 PM. Reason : I don't get to do the orders, he does.]

2/28/2006 10:10:09 PM

Yeah, well the guy who did ordering for the section quit midyear last year and they've basically turned over alot of that to the student employees in the section. If enough people would want something, why not order it?

^ Yeah, good idea. We tried to order those universal cover sets from fellowes, the ones that'll fit psp's and gameboys too and stuff... but our freaking distributer won't sell them to us!

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 10:17 PM. Reason : ]

2/28/2006 10:16:34 PM

Wasn't R talking about poking around at different distributors to see who had the better deals?

I'll bet one of them will sell that stuff to us.

2/28/2006 10:18:29 PM

Oooh yeah...

Maybe they'll actually give us a good enough price point on the psp that we won't have to charge a stupid price for it!

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 10:21 PM. Reason : ]

2/28/2006 10:19:13 PM

Yeah, we should probably send back the one we have now.

I say "two sixty" then they leave the store.

No sense in carrying stuff if it's stupidly priced.

And that goes for the duracell batteries too, we ought to look into other resellers to find a better price. Hella uncompetitive price we offer on those.

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 10:25 PM. Reason : aaaa]

2/28/2006 10:24:34 PM

Yeah, well these cold meds are working wonders, so I'll probably actually be there tommorow. We can talk about crap like that then. Don't want to divert the thread.

2/28/2006 10:26:42 PM

Troo, see you tomorrow then.

2/28/2006 10:27:33 PM

Eww... the 40% off sale is tommorow isn't it? through friday? What in our section is actually on sale?

2/28/2006 10:36:34 PM

Ahah, T & I marked down the CD&DVD towers (all those storage towers) all of the gel accessories that have been on the shelf since forever, and also the 4th gen ipod cases and the ipod mini cases that we have left over.

Note that we marked them down with lower prices AND we'll include them in the 40% off sale. I think we're putting them in a special section.

We had to ghetto-ass the pricetags though. The ticket machine wasn't working.

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 10:39 PM. Reason : The rest isn't on sale. I made some signs too... Heh...]

2/28/2006 10:38:44 PM

Aww, not even 10% off? Gay. We have too much inventory and could afford to drop them 10%. (the inventory thing's my fault though...) Alright, now more abuse of the thread.

[Edited on February 28, 2006 at 10:41 PM. Reason : ]

2/28/2006 10:40:33 PM

THE LADY AT ORIENTATION SAID YOU SELL DELLS. HOW DO I ORDER A DELL?

ma'am, we don't carry dells, they are sold manufacturer direct only. we carry ibm and apple.

ARE YOU SURE? THE LADY AT ORIENTATION SAID YOU SELL DELLS. HOW DO I ORDER A DELL?

ma'am, we don't carry dells, they are sold manufacturer direct only. we carry ibm and apple.

BUT THE LADY AT ORIENTATION SAID YOU SELL DELLS. HOW DO I ORDER A DELL?

ma'am, we don't carry dells, they are sold manufacturer direct only. we carry ibm and apple.

WHY WOULD THE LADY AT ORIENTATION SAID YOU SELL DELLS? HOW DO I ORDER A DELL?

ma'am, we don't carry dells, they are sold manufacturer direct only. we carry ibm and apple.

THE LADY AT ORIENTATION SAID YOU SELL DELLS. LET ME SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER.

manager: ma'am, we don't carry dells, they are sold manufacturer direct only. we carry ibm and apple.

3/1/2006 4:06:01 AM

Quote :

"are you looking for an adapter that'll let a usb device plug into a ps/2 port?"

A pair of PS2 into a single USB. Most of the newer Dell systems (at least the Optiplex 620s and Latitude D610s) do not have PS2 ports on it. Might be an individual case, but I see PS2 being slowly phased out in the future.

If you guys could get a premier account at Dell (or use the university's if they have one) and apply the discounts to students somehow, that would freaking rock.

Also, ADD custom length cabling for high-quality coaxial cable.

[Edited on March 1, 2006 at 5:34 AM. Reason : .]

3/1/2006 5:33:05 AM

^ We have tons of the ps/2 adapters you're talking about.

There is a dell premier account for the students/university. It's dell.com/ncstate

3/1/2006 10:22:54 AM

headphone ideas?

3/7/2006 2:35:19 PM

I'm bumping this because we're looking at putting together some discounted package deals from targus and stuff.

Here's one we're considering:

Groove Computer Backpack, 29.99

http://www.targus.com/us/CategorySearch.asp?SearchedTerms=groove&Action=Go

Wireless Rechargeable Notebook Mouse, 29.99

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=AMW05US

Targus Keyed Computer Lock, 39.99

[http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=PA450U

For about 69.95-79.95.

For about 94.95 or so we could replace the normal optical mouse with a laser mouse version and the groove with the gravity or sport backpacks.

We're also looking at throwing together a "premium" student bundle with maybe a 4th item and better items in general. Any ideas for that? What do you guys think are good price ranges for student bundles like this. We're trying to balance the best discount with actually making the university money.

Other things we're considering including in a discount bundle are usb hubs, noise cancelling headphones or a car adapter.

[Edited on April 20, 2006 at 12:44 PM. Reason : ]

4/20/2006 12:38:47 PM

BTTT one last time. I'm putting together the inventory list for next year. If you have any more suggestions, now's the time.

5/15/2006 10:59:21 AM

Going back to the Dell thing ... work it out so there are a couple of preconfigured packages with 4-year warranties. Also see if you can't spread out payments over 8 semesters. I sure as hell can't afford a $2400 desktop/laptop on the spot, but if you split it up over 8 semesters, I could figure out a way to do $300/semester ... especially if it showed up on my student bill and financial aid could help cover it.

I realize the logistics of this are nightmarish (at best), but it makes computing solutions at lot easier for students.

5/15/2006 12:30:05 PM

As has been said in the thread, we don't sell dells. You'd have to talk to dell about that. Four year warranties are availible as an upgrade (with thinkpads and dells) but won't be included in base configurations because the cost is fairly significant.

5/15/2006 12:52:21 PM

nmb keyboards

5/15/2006 6:18:22 PM

Interestingly those are availible through one distributer only, the one we use almost exclusively for computer stuff. What's so special about those keyboards?

5/15/2006 6:21:31 PM

^^^
Missed the sarcasm entirely in the thread . A similar setup with Apple's or IBM ThinkPad's would be nice. I know the warranties are expensive ... pricing options with and without would be nice. Again, my main thought being I can space out payments for a personal computer to use in college.

5/15/2006 6:28:09 PM

Yeah I wish we could do something like that. Low or no interest financing for students would be nice, even being able to put monthly or quarterly payments into your tuition bill. I've suggested it to the managers, but that kind of thing is beyond my ability to affect directly. I really only control what kinds of gadgets and stuff we order.

5/16/2006 11:10:26 AM

Alright, this isn't a bump, but a real extra question.

We have the opportunity to order some no-name brand cables for really really cheap. There'll be DVI cables, hdmi cables, vga cables, component/composite cables, usb, etc. for about a half to a third of what we charge now. Would people be willing to buy them if I were to set up a display where I cut up a belkin pure av cable, monster cable, and one of these no-name brand cables to show that they were all fairly similar inside?

Would people be willing to buy non-name cables if they were that cheap? Like 3 meter dvi cables for 20 bucks and 3 meter HDMI cables for 25-30?

5/16/2006 6:45:05 PM