Now that you’ve spent several hundred dollars or more on
your laptop, it’s time to look into accessories and add-ons that you shouldn’t
be caught without. Some are necessary for your computer’s well being, while
others simplify your life through ergonomics or another means of simplifying
things.
You could spend a few hundred dollars on these accessories
and add-ons, but that’s okay. Depending on how you use your laptop, this
additional investment could actually make you more productive, thus giving you
an increased earning potential – or at least a little more free time to spend
with the family.
-Internet security software. This is vital for high-speed
connections, especially those of the wireless variety. They are the most
vulnerable to hackers and data thieves, so pick a reliable and trustworthy
security suite.
Firewalls or all-in-one package products are both good
options, but if you go with the former you should complement it with antivirus
and spyware protection. Either way, you’re reducing intrusions of all kinds,
which will give you more freedom to enjoy your portable Internet connection.
-Data backup solutions. The CD burner that came with your
laptop is a good way to save multiple copies of your important data, but there
are faster and more portable options.
One option is to buy and use a flash drive. Most use USB
2.0, which means that they save and retrieve data as fast as you need them to
read and write. They’re basically tiny hard drives that can fit into your
pocket or on a keychain.
Another good choice is an external hard drive. This can be
left at home or the office so that you can back up all of your data once a week
or so and leave it there. You’ll appreciate not having all of your data in the
same place if something catastrophic, like a flood or fire, happens.
-Accident coverage insurance. Okay, so YOU might be the
world’s most cautious and conscientious person, who’s never had any sort of
accident with any electronic product, but what about the people around you? Not
everything is within your control, but with accident insurance you won’t have
to worry about the consequences of your daughter-in-law accidentally knocking
your brand-new laptop off the kitchen counter.
Most insurance is offered when you purchase your computer,
but third-party coverage can be found for a reasonable price. Do Web searches
or ask your laptop-enabled friends and coworkers: odds are someone will know
what you need.
-Warranty coverage. This should be purchased when you get
the laptop. It’ll cover just about anything that goes wrong, from broken
keyboards to display problems.
Before you buy the warranty, though, you should make sure
that you are familiar with its terms as well as any options that you might
have. It’s important to know how long the manufacturer’s original warranty is
in place as well as what differs between its coverage and that of the extended
warranty that you’re thinking of buying. You should also know what you’ll have
to go through to make a claim as well as how much, if anything, you’ll have to
pay of your own money.
-A security system if you travel with the laptop. These can
be found at any computer store or online. The price range is very broad, so
research before you buy. You need to know exactly what sort of locking/security
system you need to keep your laptop from being stolen. It’s worth the
investment even if your insurance covers theft. Even if you have replacement
coverage, your warranty won’t replace the data on the stolen computer. It’s
best to protect it as much as possible.
-A padded travel case. This is important if you travel
anywhere with the laptop. It helps protect it from exterior scratches and
provides a little padding if you accidentally drop it. This won’t do much good
if it falls down eight flights of stairs and hits a cement floor at the bottom,
of course, but a smaller and less horrifying accident can be made less
traumatic with a little padding. And with the case, you also have a convenient
place to store other computer stuff, like your extra battery and the charger.
-A cooling pad if you intend to use your laptop as an actual
laptop. If your computer is on your lap, odds are you’ll have nicely toasted
upper legs when you’re finished. Even with today’s technology, portable
computers can become very warm to say the least. A cooling pad or stand will
provide a buffer between your legs and the computer. It’ll also give you
another sweet accessory to brag about in computer forums and company meetings.
-An external keyboard to plug in to a USB port. This is
important if you’re stationed in, say, your home office with the laptop and
want to do lots of typing. Most laptop keyboards can become uncomfortable after
long-time use, but a “regular” ergonomic keyboard will offer plenty of comfort.
You’ll also have the advantage of picking out an external keyboard with
Internet hot keys and other features that the laptop’s model won’t give you.
And your laptop’s keyboard will last longer if you don’t use it when you can use
the external one.
-Better yet, invest in a docking station so that your laptop
can become a desktop when you’re at home or in the office. You’ll have to buy a
desktop monitor to go with it, but you’ll appreciate not having to hunch over
the laptop the entire workday. You can also position the desktop monitor
basically wherever you want for improved comfort and visibility. Or, if you’re
busy with an online poker tournament when you’re supposed to be working, you
can arrange your docked desktop so that your boss can’t see it.
-Retractable USB cables. These are great for people who
don’t want to trip over a tangle of cords when they have three or four USB
devices hooked up to the computer. These cords are also very easy to store
(say, in your nice leather traveling case) because they compact easily.
-A better battery. This is especially important for
traveling users. Many of the batteries that come with laptops will only work
for 45 minutes to one hour. Invest in a larger, better battery so that you won’t
have to run around in circles looking for a power outlet.
With the above accessories, however, you’ll be able to relax
and play or work with your computer – instead of having to constantly worry
about what-if situations. There are countless other accessories on the market,
with new ideas and technologies emerging almost every day. You should keep up
to date with trends and new designs by visiting computer forums or reading
computer magazines on a fairly regular basis. You might find some new accessory
that you can’t live without.