Just wanted to pass along a great discovery. I've been playing videos on my laptop, and anyone who has done this knows, it's sometimes hard to get the sound loud enough.

So I was strolling the Mall of America and I found a USB Laptop amplifier in the window of Urban Outfitters. It's small, cheap and triples my sound. I'm sure other places sell it, but it's one more problem solved.

I use a set of portable speakers for MP3 players. I use it with my iPod too, so it's one less thing to carry when on the road. Oh, and I also have been known to use it in the classroom in a pinch.

Either options works I think.