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?"

Comments

Re:A CoolPad

[Orien]

Dig your sig man. Best indi cartoon ever.

My desktop wallpaper is plastered with "Do you HAS what it takes?!"

Re:Obviously

[tiger99]

It is potentially lethal, and in many countries illegal to use mains-powered equipment in the bathroom, except in the case of electric razors where a small isolating transformer is provided.

An ethernet connection effectively brings any mains potential appearing on the IT equipment into the bathroom. It would also be illegal and very dangerours. The standard of electrical safety in IT equipment is not that good, compared to equipment for use in adverse environments. The voltage on a telephone line in normal conditions (to say nothing of induced or direct lightning, or power-line shorts) is also potentially lethal, a phone should not be able to reach to the vicinity of the bath, so no modems. Cordless are OK of course, if you don't mind the insecurity and keep the charger somewhere else.

I have only ever seen a normal power socket in a bathroom in Australia, when I expressed my horror, the lady concerned assured me that Australian electricity was safer than British electricity..... (the evidence is to the contrary, actually.)

It is OK to use a laptop, on battery power, but steam and condensation may harm the machine, and if it uses a battery of more than 32 volts, it would be a very bad idea, especially if it fell into the bath. People have been killed with 32 volts (rarely) but not any lower AFAIK.