The convenience of having a portable office, gaming station or simply an entertainment accessory has made laptops more popular than ever. Business people and travelers are carrying them around the world, deploying them in offices, lounges, planes and trains. Here’s a quick overview of useful accessories that make your laptop even more productive, useful and fun to use.
Keeps your hands free
No laptop is complete without an over-the-shoulder bag or backpack. This is the accessory that people by the day they get a new laptop. It is a simple and adequate means of transport and protection from bumps and elements. In addition, a laptop bag can accommodate storage space for documents, digital media and whatever else fits. One feature that is important when buying a laptop carry case is the handle. Look for a strong handle, as you’ll probably be carrying it a lot.
Heat is (un)welcome
On a chilly day outside there’s nothing more pleasing about laptop use than the heat it generates in our lap. However, in tropical heat it can be both annoying and dangerous. Differently from desktops, laptops are bugged with relatively inefficient cooling system since the day one. Excessive heat may damage integrated components, and I’ve experienced very unpleasant automated shutdowns due to overheating on summer nights more than once. Chill mats are more than welcome as they keep cool both you and your laptop.
Security first
For anyone travelling and opening their laptops in unimaginable places, a cable lock is an invaluable feature that may save the day, and hope that day never comes. Often it’s hard to imagine what is more valuable the laptop or the data stored on it. As for the muggers, I’m sure they know the answer straight away.
Can we get some privacy here?
One of the most useful, yet inconspicuous laptop accessories is the privacy screen. It is designed as a sort of filter that allows only the person who faces it directly to see the content on the screen. It is commuter’s favorite feature. No one likes people sitting next to them to pry into their private conversations, photos or even more importantly, banking pages and work details.
Long range fighter
It always pays off to invest in a long life battery. It automatically decreases the number of batteries you’d carry around, as well as increases the autonomy of unplugged operation. It’s ideal for extended trips, when the distances and hours from one power socket to another are long.
A new pet
If you need to speed up your laptop experience, a wireless mouse is a welcome vermin in your laptop bag. Not only it relieves you of extra cables, but with quality rechargeable batteries and absolute freedom of movement in crowned spaces it will make you wish never to buy a regular one again.
The information crossroad
Unless you conduct your business from a car, you certainly occupy an office somewhere, or at least an office friendly corner of your home. A docking station is a convenient way of connecting all your peripherals and at the same time leaving your desk clear and uncrowded. More importantly, your laptop is constantly connected to whatever it needs to be connected to all devices it supports.
About the Author
Dan Radak is VPS security specialist. Currently employed as a consultant in a couple of Web Hosting companies. Also, he is a web writer and co-author on several technology websites. In his free time he makes homegrown beer. You can reach him on Twitter.
Photo credit: College Degrees 360
