MAXIMISING YOUR MOBILITY

Robert Brennan, Owner of The Laptop Shop

Accessories to help you get the most from your laptop. Robert Brennan reports.

The laptop computer has finally come of age. Recently outselling desktops mainly due to decreased price, increased performance, and the greater flexibility that the notebook computer offers. Like the ubiquitous iPod, there is now a whole industry built around servicing the needs of the laptop user. These accessories can enrich your whole notebook experience and turn it into a portable office, music centre or creative studio. Your budget is often the only limit to really getting the most from your laptop.

Power

Often overlooked, but very often the most essential aspect of your mobile office is the availability of power. The search for better battery life has occupied computer manufacturers now since the advent of the laptop computer.

There are back-up batteries, long-life batteries, external universal batteries and auto/air adapters available to provide extra power. A more universal way of charging any mobile appliance would be to purchase an ac inverter which, in effect, converts your cigarette lighter socket into a standard plug to charge any device, be it a laptop, DVD player or mobile phone.

Protect Your Assests

Even more diverse than the range of laptop computers out there is the range of protectors and cases to put them in. Customers requirements vary greatly when it comes to bags.

Backup Devices

The simplest and most popular way to backup or transport your data has to be the memory pen or key. With increased popularity, prices and sizes of these devices has decreased rapidly over the last few years and now they have become indispensable to the businessman. External hard drives similarly provide a useful and more comprehensive backup function.

Human Interface Devices

The technical name for mice and keyboards, some people still prefer to use an external mouse than the laptop touchpad and these people are certainly well catered for by mice manufacturers such as Microsoft who manage to think of some new feature every six months or so to keep us retailers on our toes. Wacom have recently introduced the pen partner into the laptop accessory market also.

Entertainment

Why not turn your laptop into allround entertainment device when the an all-round
entertainment device when the technology now is so inexpensive. A set of cheap external speakers will generally be at least 6 watts while your laptop speakers may only be a half watt. Portable (battery powered) speakers will greatly increase your enjoyment of music and dvds on the go and a set of 2.1 speakers with subwoofer will allow you to make a multimedia presentation to the whole room.

Getting all or some of these add-ons can greatly increase your notebooks' usefulness and performance. The sky's the limit so treat yourself and your laptop to a few nice bits and pieces and lets keep you and your laptop happy.

Product of the week: Asus leather Laptop