.: How To Choose The Best Laptop Accessories?
Category:Home / Computers / Hardware
Copyright 2006 Titus Hoskins
The notebook computer is coming of age. For the first time in history, notebooks or laptops are out-selling their bigger cousins, desktop computers.
The rise in popularity of the notebook computer can be contributed to many factors: drop in prices, stiff competition, aggressive marketing, but perhaps the biggest factor - increased performance.
With each new generation of notebooks, we are seeing some novel breakthroughs: dual core notebooks, PCI Express, Sonoma Chipset, increased storage, increased RAM, faster CPUs, better battery life and better wireless access including a Cellular Modem Connection. All these new innovations are making for a more powerful computer embodied in a sleeker smaller package that consumers want.
However, as most notebook enthusiasts know, to get full enjoyment from your laptop or notebook computer - you must have certain essential accessories. These laptop accessories will greatly enhance your notebook experience and make for a much more satisfying all-around 'complete laptop'.
Here's a wish list of laptop accessories you may want to consider purchasing:
1. Carrying Bag or Backpack - This is essential if you will be doing a lot of traveling. You might even want to consider a wheeled bag for those heavier laptops. Try to purchase a laptop carrying bag that has plenty of compartments for all those notebook peripherals. Always check to see if your laptop or notebook will fit!
2. Extra Battery - Since most batteries last less than 5 hours you will need an extra battery or two. You should also check out bringing along an external battery for your laptop.
3. Port Replicator - This is one essential you should consider buying for your laptop or notebook computer. It's a real hassle dealing with all those wires and connections on your laptop - that's where your port replicator or docking station solves your problem. Plug all your peripherals into the docking station or port replicator - connect and disconnect your laptop with ease without having to deal with all those wires and connections. A must have!
4. Auto and Airplane ac adapter - Another essential laptop accessory if you do a lot traveling, battery life on most notebooks is not great so having a handy source of ac power from your auto or from an airplane is a 'no-brainer'!
5. USB Hub - Some older model notebooks come with only one or two USB ports; if you need more - try a handy USB hub. It will give you more options.
6. Wireless Card - Most laptops and notebooks now come with a wireless card. Many top brands have 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or all three! If your notebook doesn't have a wireless card, you can get a rather inexpensive 802.11b Linksys PC Card adapter for under $50.
You may also want to check out the new Sony VAIO VGN-T350P - it has the world's first 'Cellular Modem Built In' - access the Internet thru your cell phone. It has an Integrated EDGE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for the ultimate in wireless networking.
EDGE stands for 'Enhanced Data for Global Evolution' thru the Cingular Wireless national network.
7. Optional External Hard Drive - Most notebooks or laptops now come with a 40 to 100 gig hard drives, but still if you download and save a lot of movies or songs you will take up that storage space quicker than you ever thought possible. If you need an extra hard drive for storage or back-up, try an external hard drive.
8. Optional External DVD Burner - Many laptops now come with a built in DVD drive but in case you need this extra for or DVD burning (movies, songs, videos, etc.) try an external DVD burner for your notebook. For maximum compatibility, try to get one that supports both DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW formats.
9. Optional Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - Might sound strange suggesting this option since most laptops already come with a keyboard! But depending on your notebook make and model, the keyboards on most notebooks are not the greatest to type with. It all has to do with the wrong angles and the shape of the laptop, so if you want a wireless desktop style keyboard and mouse, it is relatively cheap to buy.
10. Insurance! - If you do a lot of traveling, you may want to invest in some laptop insurance. Laptop theft is still a big problem and it's better to be safe than sorry.
Acquiring any of these laptop accessories will greatly improve your notebook computer, making for a hassle-free computing experience that you will appreciate and enjoy much more. So don't skimp, instead, bring your laptop enjoyment up to its highest level by purchasing some of these much needed laptop accessories.
You will thank yourself later!
Article keywords: laptop accessories, notebook accessories, laptops, notebooks
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
For a list of the top rated Notebook and Laptop Accessories Click Here: www.bizwaremagic.com/notebook_accessories.htm
© 2005 Titus Hoskins. www.bizwaremagic.com/notebook-online-buyers-guide.htm
This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
.: New Hardware Articles
1). Computer Recycling: What You Need To Know
Overall disposing of computers correctly by recycling parts and components could result in a better cleaner less toxic environment. Cleaner environment means less global warming, habitat destruction and deforestation. Also reducing the amount of raw materials needed in order to produce these machines.
2). How To Keep A Cleaner, Longer Running Computer
One of the more neglected aspects of owning a PC is following some simple preventative maintenance procedures. Preventative maintenance procedures are commonly recommended for most all mechanical and technological gadgets.
3). What is the WEEE Directive?
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) 2006 directive concerns the responsible disposal of electrical and computer equipment by companies and individuals, and is now enshrined in European Law.
4). Edgeline Printer Technology Will Change Office Printing Forever
Imagine print speeds as fast as 70 pages per minute. Imagine color output as good as the best inkjet technology. Now combine that with the best operating costs available today. Sound too futuristic to be possible? Find out why this technology could be in your office by mid-year.
5). Ink Cartridges: How to Buy the Best Value Printer For Them
Printers, ink cartridges and other computer peripheral hardware are any everyday part of life at home and work today
6). HP Ink Cartridge Refill Kits Are Smart Buys
For those who need HP ink cartridge refill kits, the news is good. There are many companies that make these tools.
7). Find The Best Computer Printer Ink Price Ranges
However you can not find much difference in computer printer ink price ranges in the stores. Even you may not found the exact price to the same products in different stores. That is why the ultimate solution to get the exact price may in some cases you will get discount price.
.: Top Hardware Articles
1). Acer Aspire 3004WLCi - A Quick Review
I recently found myself in need of a new laptop. With a tight budget and moderate needs, I knew it wasn't going to be easy to find a product that would do what I wanted and still be in my price range.
As a Network Technician and a Web Designer, I needed a machine that would have enough storage to store all my software, projects for my clients, and still be able to handle an occasional temporary operating system backup from a client's machine.
2). IBM Computer Diagnostics: Error and Beep Codes
The following table includes some of the more common printed error codes that might be displayed when your vintage or non vintage IBM computer is performing the power-on self test (POST).
- record error codes that are displayed. If you need to call for help it will be best to be able to provide the error codes.
- if you get multiple error codes , always work to solve problems in the order in which the error codes are displayed.
3). Find your laptop drivers easily!
Many people, especially beginners, struggle in finding drivers for their laptops. In this article, I will illustrate two ways to help you find your laptop drivers quickly, and easily.
The first method we will consider is to visit a company's website, and attempt to find a 'Drivers' or 'downloads' link. If a similar link is not immediately apparent, look for a search box.
4). Canon Pixma inside out – the iP4200 Photo Printer
So you might have already heard about the new Canon Pixma iP4200 that’s doing the rounds in the computer hardware industry nowadays. Everybody is reviewing it, including us.
Canon has been keeping mum over the longest-lasting-photo-prints debate for sometime now. Possible explanations include the newly released Pixma iP4200, with built-in duplex printing; individual cartridges; two paper-input trays; easy operation; inexpensive; great-looking photos; and 100-year print life.
5). How To Properly Install A New Motherboard
The motherboard is the most expensive computer component so be sure to treat and handle it with great care.There are a few things you should do to ensure no motherboard damage occur as you prepare for the installation.
Be sure you have a clean,well lit,and level work place.Relax your mind and make this task both fun and educational.You will need such tools as a phillips screwdriver,maybe some needle nose pliers and the manual that came with the board.
6). Why do we defrag the Hard Disk?
What is Defragging?
Defragging is process done to a hard disk in order to improve performance and recover some lost disk space. Defragging is an essential part of a PC's upkeep as it keeps all the data on your hard disk in an easily readable order. If a hard disk is left without defragging, then over time the disk will begin to lose performance and also slowly reduce the available capacity to data.
7). USB Memory - Tips on Booting Your USB Device
The arrival of this miniature hard disk was a great timing just as computing is in need for memory drives that can solve the problem of the aging floppy disk.