Altec Lansing iML237USB ORBIT Ultra Portable USB-Powered Speaker

by Altec Lansing

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.3 x 5.5 x 6.8 inches ; 6.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B002NEG0VO
• Item model number: iML237/ USB Orbit
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (164 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #93 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Accessories > Computer Speakers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 7, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The compact Altec Lansing iML237 Orbit USB is small in size but big on sound, giving you great out loud audio for your laptop or netbook wherever you need it. Weighing less than six ounces, this mighty little USB speaker boasts Altec Lansing's Audio Alignment technology, which is the precise balance and craftsmanship of the key audio components -- the driver, the enclosure and the electronics. The result is rich, full sound in a small system. This tough, ultra-portable Orbit USB is powered by your USB port so you never have to worry about finding an outlet to plug it in or carrying around batteries.

The iML 237 Orbit USB At a Glance: Full, rich sound for laptops and netbooks. Ultraportable - built tough and lightweight. Plug-and-play USB connectivity for convenience and digital clarity. Built-in retractable stand. Storage case with hook-on carabiner.

1. Plug-and-play for great sound anywhere. 2. The USB cable winds neatly away. 3. A built-in stand lets you aim the sound. 4. Carrying case included. (Click on each feature for an expanded view.)

Ideal for Entertainment and Presentations
The Orbit USB is ideal for those who rely on their laptops for much of their entertainment. College students, for example, may find that the built-in laptop speakers are not powerful enough for their music and movies, or maybe even a recorded class lecture. The Orbit USB can be tossed in a backpack to provide powerful, instant sound at any time. Also, business people can enhance their presentations with board-room filling sound from the Orbit USB, which is small enough to pack in a briefcase. And then they can listen to music in their hotel rooms at night.

Plug-and-Play for Great Sound
Enjoying great sound has never been easier; just plug the Orbit USB into your computer and start listening. Since the audio maintains a pure digital signal through the USB connection from the source to the speaker, you won't have any fuzz or muffle. And thanks to Audio Alignment technology, all the components are perfectly balanced for sound with great volume, clarity, and depth.

No Batteries or AC Adapter
Since the Orbit USB is powered by USB, there is no need to worry about running out of batteries or finding an AC outlet. In addition, the USB cord winds and stores neatly away in the compartment underneath. And the Orbit USB's battery-free design offers an environmentally responsible solution.

Ultra-Portable Round Design Provides 360-Degree Sound
Just by looking at the Orbit USB, you'll know it's something special. With aluminum and composite construction, the Orbit USB is built to survive tough travel conditions. It includes a stylish neoprene case with hook-on carabineer as well as tangle-free cord storage into the underbelly of the speaker for protection and convenience.

The small, round design not only looks good but also provides a 360-degree sound field, so you'll enjoy full, distortion-free sound in every direction. A built-in retractable stand lets you aim the sound in any direction and an LED lets you know when the speaker is on. The Altec Lansing iML237 Orbit USB comes with a handy carrying case with a clip making it easy to carry everywhere.

What's in the Box
Orbit USB speaker and carrying case with carabiner.

Product Description

Altec Lansing Ultra Portable USB powered speaker for laptops and netbooks, compact speaker provides 360 degree sound. Comes with carry case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Mono Speaker, February 3, 2010

By 

Concerned Citizen (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Altec Lansing iML237USB ORBIT Ultra Portable USB-Powered Speaker (Personal Computers)

I've only had this speaker for 24 hours, but I can say that so far it's been excellent. I got it for my Thinkpad T400 laptop because the internal speakers were not loud enough, and some things, like DVD movies, or watching TV from my Slingbox had really low volume. I'm running Windows 7 64 bit on the laptop. I plugged in the speaker and Windows installed the driver without a hitch (no CD needed). It worked immediately thereafter. The native speakers are disabled when you plug this one in, and all the volume controls, including the hardware volume buttons on the laptop, work without change on the new speaker. If you unplug it while it's in use the native speakers take over seamlessly. The sound quality is excellent as compared to the native laptop speakers, and the volume, wow! I have the volume set at 5%, which is providing about the same volume of sound as the native T400 speakers provide at 100% volume. If I run the volume all the way up I can easily hear the sound at a comfortable level in the next room, and there is very little distortion. This speaker won't take the place of a set of powered stereo speakers; but for the price, portability, and the fact that it runs off the USB port without any other power source, you can't beat it with a stick.


Edit 10/5/2010

I found that this speaker will work with an iPad if you have the camera connector (the camera connector basically turns the dock connector into a USB port). I just plugged it into the USB port and it immediately worked, although there is no mention in the iPad documentation that you can do this. If you have both products it might be worthwhile buying the camera connector instead of a separate speaker for your iPad.

65 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Loud, Small and uh, Loud, September 23, 2009

By 

Sacratomato (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Altec Lansing iML237USB ORBIT Ultra Portable USB-Powered Speaker (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

The Orbit is the diameter of a small coaster and has a nice modern feel of heavy weight aluminum. It comes with an attractive, very tightly fitting carrying case that looks like a miniature hat case. There are two IM237 Orbits: a battery powered model with a jack that fits 3.5mm headphone jacks and this USB model. I'm guessing Altec wants us to buy two Orbits, one for our laptops and a second one for our IPod.

The Orbit gives a very nice volume boost to laptop audio and the quality was better, much better, than I expected. Hopefully, no will expect audiophile sound from a tiny speaker that is carried on a lanyard like a change purse.

The bottom of the Orbit has a storage area for the USB cable. The cord is wound around the base and then the USB plug snaps into a storage area. The only problem is: DID ANYONE AT ALTEC TRY TO DO THIS? It doesn't matter if you wind the cord clockwise or counter clockwise, the cord is an inch too short and the USB plug can't reach the storage slot. Without the plug snapped into place providing tension, the cord falls out. So putting the Orbit into the storage case means stuffing the cable in the bottom, pushing the Orbit on top and then maneuvering the lanyard around so the zipper on the case doesn't catch it. As I mentioned, the case is very tightly fitted.

I'm assuming the Orbit for IPods was designed first. And the storage system probably worked for a cable with a small headphone jack at the end. But when Altec adapted a USB plug, the much larger USB plug effectively shortened the cable length rendering the storage system useless.

9-24-09 Additional comment added: Other reviewers here of the USB Orbit don't mention any problems with storage. I'm starting to think it's not a design problem but a manufacturing problem. If the base is not snapped into the Orbit at a consistent position relative to the cable, the USB plug may or may not reach the storage slot.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great speaker, September 26, 2009

By 

Michael (Fairfax County, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Altec Lansing iML237USB ORBIT Ultra Portable USB-Powered Speaker (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

I have bought and used a number of so-called portable speakers. Some were just too big and bulky to take with me. Others sounded like a toy.

This wonderful gem is great. It is small enough to throw in my suitcase without worrying about bulk or weight. The sound is absolutely superb. I hooked it up and played various tunes from my library and the sound was incredible. The instrument nuances, the volume, the quality was amazing. I looked over at it and couldn't believe my ears.

This is a wonderful product by a great company. I highly recommend it.