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What Extras Should I Buy When Buying a Laptop?
HarleyPig asks: "I'm using my tax return to buy a laptop. I don't want to know which laptop to get (that's a religious discussion I'd like to avoid). What peripherals do you find yourself wishing you'd bought, or have ended up buying? I know I'll need a mouse, extra cabling, extra batteries and some kind of case to hold and carry around the laptop. What else should I consider putting in my list of stuff to buy with a laptop?"
Definitely one of the best purchases I have made. It lifts the laptop to a height that is better ergonomically and helps keep it cool (by allowing air to flow underneath). Here it is, and you can find it in most stores now...
I dunno who it is
but it prolly is fhqwhgads.
You ought to keep a space AC adapter, I think. I can remember having at least two of them fail, and it isn't too much fun trying to expand a few hours of battery life into several days of usage while waiting for a replacement to arrive.
Ubi dubium, ibi libertas.
I recomend a hardcase briefcase, like this cheap Vanguard case I bought at Rite Aid. They come in all sort of styles, the aluminum has suited me fine. Even though the case is crummy looking after six months of travel, the laptop looks great. Softcases are a no-no. Also, as much harddrive space as you can afford. I used the firewire drives and find that lugging them around all over the country is kinda tedious. I end up not using them even though I've packed them away in my luggage. Just too lazy I guess. :)
Todd.
Here's another tout for the usb memory key:
I'm a student and I write a lot of papers.
I am afforded SO much extra peace of mind by quickly backing up my papers onto my usb key, just in case of some sort of accident or failure.
I also recommend as much wireless as possible; I am very used to my desktop, however when I started using my laptop with wireless net access, no power cable, bluetooth (built in) mice and keyboard, I couldn't believe what a relaxing experience it was to use the computer. I am sensitive to clutter and I never even knew it.
I have a dvd burner in my laptop which at first seemed like it might be overkill, but I actually use it very often for data backup, and I do tend to make dvds often for projects or simply get data to friends. Sometimes it's just a slideshow with music, in a format mom and dad or aunt and uncle can easily experience.
Another thing about my laptop - I should have done this a LONG time ago. I don't even bother with my desktop much, anymore. I love working anywhere, anytime, and taking my environment with me.
A wise choice you make!
Spoon not. Fork, or fork not. There is no spoon.
Or rather, don't buy one for when you wear out your current one. Buy a second if you think you'll want to use it. I have an iBook G4, and it gives me 4 hours easy. I don't need one.
The reason you don't want to buy a replacement battery before you need it is because Lithium Ion batteries start losing their charge capacity when they're made. After five years they've lost 25% of their max charge, even if they've never been used. Add to that, it'll be cheaper to pick up the extra battery later.
However, if you're buying a big fatass dell or something, you'll need the extra battery.
I got 802.11g and bluetooth with my laptop. The power consumption on the iBook is laughably small. I wasn't sure I'd use bluetooth, but it's very nice to have the option. I'm considering getting a GPS gadget with bluetooth, at the very least.
I'm as mimsy as the next borogove but your mome raths are completely outgrabe.
If you ever travel with a companion, having a 3 dollar headphone splitter can allow two people to watch a DVD on your laptop at the same time. Of course, you'll probably also want an extra battery. I've never made it through an entire DVD without running out of battery power...
Some airlines have power cables under the seats, but they use a special airplane power adaptor, which can range from 30 to 99 USD.
I second the iPod as External HD idea.
I've used a London Fog case for over 2 years now. It's expandable, has an internal padded laptop sleeve, provides quick access to the laptop in airports, and is made of high quality leather. I swapped the strap for a Victorinox strap which is bouncier and softer... good for extra load.
I use a docking station at work (although a port replicator would work just as well), plugged into 21" montitor, keyboard, and mouse. I keep an extra power brick in the laptop case, like many others here have mentioned.
The facts have a liberal bias. --The Daily Show
If your a car person get a power inverter, 100 watts or up should do it. sux to run outa batteries on the road, and you can use it as a car mp3 player.
-and occasionaly a giant moose.
I carry my laptop to work every day and have for 2+ years. It's an iBook, but the advice works for any brand.
1) Good carrying case. I use a Marware Sportfolio II, but get whatever works for you. Just get something with good padding and a shoulder strap. I chose the one I did because it's very light weight to go with my sub-5 lb laptop.
2) A retractable Ethernet cable and a retractable phone cord. When you're in a hotel or on the road or whatever, you'll love these, and they won't get tangled in your bag like a regular cable.
3) VGA adapter cable and AV adapter cable to get your video output onto TVs, projectors, and other places you need to show presentations, do code reviews, etc.
4) A Kensington Flylight is invaluable when you're on an airplane or somewhere dark and need to use your computer.
I hope these suggestions are helpful.
- Vincit qui patitur.
Another really good thing to have is a copule of regular pencils (unsharpened) which I use to raise the laptop up (has no flip out feet) which I use to imporve the air circulation under the laptop.
HEAT is the #1 ENEMY of laptops, keep it COOL!
Go for the longest most feature filled warrenty you can get. In one laptop I had to replace a CDRW/DVD drive and 3 months out of warrenty they wanted $650 for the spare!
Hardcase, find yourself a nice case or backpack for it, but don't be afraid to add some masonite on the side where the display is.
Try it before you buy it! Be sure that you like the keyboard layout.
Get that external mouse, and maybe a keyboard. If you hunch over that laptop instead of getting a good ergonomic setup you will have lots of back/neck strain. So Make a workspace for it. If the workspace really is your lap and you're in a recliner or something get a lapdesk with a cushion on one side and a board on the other. Don't set it on your lap or you'll either get no ventillation for the laptop or a space heater for your privates! While built in wireless is great, be sure you can disable it easily when you need to. There's nothing like a portable having a wide open backdoor.
"Can there be a Klein bottle that is an efficient and effective beer pitcher?"