What Extras Should I Buy When Buying a Laptop? 212
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?"
Obviously (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Obviously (Score:4, Funny)
Computer in the Bathroom? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Computer in the Bathroom? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Obviously (Score:2)
Re:Obviously (Score:2)
Re:Obviously (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Obviously (Score:3, Funny)
External Mouse (Score:4, Informative)
Get wireless B/G card. B is common, and G is fast and will be more common in the future.
On a side note, I just got the widescreen 15.4 inch kind, and I really like it. Good for watching DVD's
Toshiba makes a nice laptop
Re:External Mouse (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:External Mouse (Score:2)
What on earth are you guys talking about? I've never heard of this B/G terminology.
Re:External Mouse (Score:3, Informative)
Re:External Mouse (Score:2)
Agree.
I have got a Kensington one where the mouse lead retracts into the body of the mouse, so it doesn't get tangled up with everything in my bag, although there are now some sexy cordless and optical/ bluetooth ones.
I now have a laptop bag (airline washbag I got from the one time I flew business) which has:
Re:External Mouse (Score:2)
No, G is common and B+ is hot :-)
A CoolPad (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:A CoolPad (Score:2, Informative)
Personally, my hands get tired more quicky when working on a keyboard that has its 'feet' raised at the back - I'm the guy who always flattens the feet down on lab computers before beginning to type.
Re:A CoolPad (Score:3, Informative)
Also if you actually bother to read the coolpad page they have a note and picture on the right side of the page siting research stating that "experienced touch typists" try to type using a negative incline. The picture shows the laptop on the coolpad with the direction of the coolpad reversed.
Re:A CoolPad (Score:2)
Yeah, the sharp angle of the cool pad they show in most of the pictures would have my wirsts hurting in just a few minutes also, the other method makes it so that I would actually consider getting one since
Re:A CoolPad (Score:2, Funny)
Re:A CoolPad (Score:2, Funny)
STOP DOING IT!
Re:A CoolPad (Score:2)
2 things (Score:3, Informative)
-backup HD with an image of your OS
(until recently this, and a CD with your data on it, was a pretty good backup but these days if you run windows you need to pretty much have a paid copy of AV software for each installation you have)
Re:2 things (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:2 things (Score:2)
Whatever happened to satisfied customers, anecdotal references, and recommendations? Or are those invalid because the iPod is so popular now?
Re:2 things (Score:3, Informative)
Also, get a USB2/FW 2.5" HD enclosure, and synchronization software like unison [upenn.edu]. Synchronize every day/week/month (depending how valuable your data is to you) for backup. If you go somewhere with a computer present, you don't need to bring the laptop, just sync, bring the HD, and sync again when you're home. If your laptop HD dies, just swap in the backup and buy a new one for the enclosure.
Extra AC Adapter (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Extra AC Adapter (Score:2)
insurance could be a good extra if it isn't covered by your existing ones.
bluetooth dongle(20-40$) depending on if you have other Bt devices around(and if it has builtin obviously).
good headphones, good quality plugs for example(sony mdr-ex71sl's for example, they're excellent and fit in a small size).
gamepad? if you like playing. usb hub & etc..
Re:Extra AC Adapter (Score:2)
Or Sennheiser MX-500, which are also excelent and much cheaper.
My suggestion: AC adapter, security cable (Score:5, Insightful)
Also, for the love of everything sacred, get a security cable!!!!!!
security cable problems (Score:2)
But could we get the lock to engage with his security hole on the laptop? Could we heck. We prodded and poked and twisted and fiddled but *nothing* could get the thing to stick. It looked like the sec
Stuff you can leave at home. (Score:4, Insightful)
The result is a laptop that really small, really light and really easy to toss into a briefcase and carry along.
When I look at some of the current laptops they seem so big and heavy that I doubt I would want to lug them around.
So think in terms of some of the models that lets you leave the less used stuff like CD drives at home and just carry the essentials.
Although Powerbooks... mmmmmm.
Re:Stuff you can leave at home. (Score:3, Informative)
And I find myself not missing the CD and floppy drives very much. With 802.11, I simply share the CD and floppy drives in my desktop over the wireless lan. Or I just connect the external drive.
I can certainly attest to the convienence of this small laptop (note that it is NOT uncomfortably tiny or un
Re:Stuff you can leave at home. (Score:2)
When I first got it, I would carry the CDROM and floppy drive everywhere, but then I realized that I never
Re:Stuff you can leave at home. (Score:2)
My list. (Score:5, Informative)
Make sure to get:
Re:My list. (Score:5, Informative)
Or a fightbag/backpack with built-in laptop case. I recently went on a trip with a colleague who had one - I had my own pack and a traditional laptop in case. He had it much easier than me - only one thing to carry.
Re:My list. (Score:3, Informative)
OTOH, if you *really* want to protect your laptop, get an aluminum or tit
Re:My list. (Score:3, Informative)
Personally, I never bother with extended warranties on most of my stuff (not just computers) since it seems to be that while you have to pay through the nose for the odd repair, you save more by not having warranties on the stuff that doesn't fail. The other advantage to this approach is that should you have a failure, then you are not tied to getting a repair; you can also get a replacement, which is often the better option anyway, especially for computer kit. Just make sure you
Re:My list. (Score:3, Insightful)
Absolutely essential - as is a second battery if you are not using it as a mobile desktop and hitting the road a lot - those AC adapter cables don't tend to like being repeatedly coiled and un-coiled, plugged and un-plugged... Also for some some unknown reason, laptop power supplies tend to be proprietary voltage/connector combinations which makes it very painful should one fail.
So, who're you going to be buying that replacement proprietary pow
Re:My list. (Score:3, Insightful)
My point was aimed at how laptop vendors don't even try and make it easy if you have a failure at a bad time, which it almost always is of course. The voltage and laptop connectors being proprietary to a given vendor means that you can't just jump in your car and go to a decent local electrical retailer for a generic replaceme
Re:My list. (Score:3, Informative)
Re:My list. (Score:2)
Anm
Two Things (Score:5, Insightful)
Pay extra for the extended warranty. Since laptops are proprietary, the only place you can go to for replacement parts is from the manufacturer that made it. And the parts for laptops are not cheap. I recent tried to fix a laptop that had a broken screen (someone obviously sat on it). The only problem was the warranty had just expired. The cost of the replacement screen was over $900. Whether the manufacturer even offers an extended warranty is an indication of the quality of the laptop. I wouldn't purchase one from anyone that would only offers a 1 year warranty. For this reason, I will also pay extra for name brand laptops. Yes, you can get a no name one for next to nothing, but who are you going to turn to for repair parts when the company is no longer around.
do extra batteries go bad when not in use? (Score:2)
jf
Re:Two Things (Score:2)
> The cost of the replacement screen was over $900.
I would still recommended buy the "damage coverage" warrenty, but it is less important than it used to be. Cracked LCDs used to cost $900, but newer laptops replacement screens can be had for $250-$400. OTOH, with laptops coming out of cases for airport screenings the number of dropped and cracked screens is definately rising.
Power (Score:2)
Daypack with foam rubber. (Score:5, Informative)
Depending on your situation, I suggest buying an inexpensive daypack and installing some foam rubber in it. It's much more comfortable not to look like a target for theft, I've found. A bubble pack envelope large enough for the laptop may be enough cushioning if you put some foam rubber at the bottom of the daypack.
On the other hand, if you always travel by limousine, I suggest you bring along a supermodel to distract thieves from the laptop.
I hate stupid questions (Score:2)
Hardcase Briefcase (Score:2, Interesting)
iPeripherals (Score:5, Funny)
iLife
iPod,
Airport
AppleCare plan.
But, I won't suggest a laptop...
Extended Warranty (Score:2)
Everything else you can get on an as-needed basis after you have the machine and use it for a while. No need to buy a bunch of stuff that you might find out that you don't need later.
USB Thumbdrive (Score:4, Informative)
I can really only tell you what I do. (Score:5, Informative)
I got a Toshiba 5200 for my birthday last july and it's the first laptop I've had which has been my primary work tool as a programmer. I take it to work, plug it in and take it home at the end of the day (for extra security, since equipment has a habit of "going missing" at work).
The first thing i did was use a second power cable (with the figure 8 connector) to keep at work (tethered to the physical desktop for easy reaching). That way all I have to do is plug my battery pack into the cable and I can keep my power cable in the bag and only unravel when it's needed.
That brings me to the bag. As I have a large 15.1" laptop screen (for the time), it took me literally a dozen bag tests to find one that even fit the bloody thing. I went for an STM Alley bag [standardtm.com.au] bag. But there are a lots of good ones out there. A good bag with good compartments can save your day and make carrying the laptop more than a burden!
In the front pouch of my bag, I have:
I recently got a mini-pci wireless card for my laptop. It's very useful on the road, but not so much if you don't have a wireless network to plug into. I still prefer wired if available, because of latency and performance issues.
I'm considering getting a second battery. But it's not an urgent requirement as Toshiba is usually pretty good with spare parts availability. Getting access to available parts is an entirely different manner. it'll be more relevant further down the track.
I'm quite happy with my setup. There's nothing I miss or terribly need. But it all depends on what you want to do with it. How often do you plug stuff into/ out of your laptop?
USB memory key (Score:4, Interesting)
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!
Crossover: mini adapter (Score:2)
Re:I can really only tell you what I do. (Score:2)
Re:I can really only tell you what I do. (Score:3, Informative)
You haven't looked at prices lately, have you? Gigabit ethernet is cheap now.
Prices from CDW:
Netgear 5 port 10/100/1000 switch [cdw.com]: $83
Netgear Gigabit PCI network adapter [cdw.com]: $37
100Mb switches were more expensive than this just a couple years ago. And these prices are coming down fast. The switch above was $120 or so no more than six months ago.
The only reason I'm still using 100Mb networking at home
Bluetooth for your peripherals (Score:3, Insightful)
In my opinion... (Score:5, Informative)
In my opinion... don't buy many peripherals. The problem with buying lots of peripherals is that your ~2kg laptop suddenly needs a bag the size of a small suitcase weighing in at 10kg or more to carry around all the junk you "need".
Take the mouse, for example. You've already decided to get one. Why? The trackpad really is not that bad. The mouse needs a flat surface to work on, which ties you to a desk. I've found I can work the trackpad fairly well, after just a few days practise.
Cables? Why? If you're going to be in a place where you need a cable, there's likely to be one there already. Take for example people who carry a serial cable around so they can "plug-in" to a Cisco router while onsite. Have you ever seen a comms room without a serial cable? I haven't. So why carry the cable? Same for Ethernet. If you simply *must* have a backup cable, put it in the boot of your car.
Extra batteries are only useful if you keep them charged. In my experience, nobody is that organised. They'll have two batteries and one of them is always flat. So when their live battery goes flat... well... they're in the same boat as the rest of us with only one battery.
I managed to avoid getting a computer bag for the laptop. A leather briefcase costs the same and looks heaps more professional. Modern cases have fairly soft interiors and it's not like I will be throwing this thing around, anyway.
One thing I would buy as an additional extra is a second power pack. It's useful to have your home setup permanently "wired" with the second supply in the bag.
And a USB key. Damn, those things are so useful!
Re:In my opinion... (Score:2)
Re:In my opinion... (Score:2)
Bullshit. A ball works way better than any "pad" I've ever tried to use.
Re:In my opinion... (Score:2)
Re:In my opinion... (Score:2)
My suggestion (Score:2)
I have two laptops in my bag, with room for CDs and crap like that. I even have my Spy Kids 3D glasses in there, although I can't think of any reason why they should be in there.
Get a big sturdy bag and you won't regret it.
Get a warranty (Score:2, Insightful)
Also, an extra battery would be nice. Your mileage may vary, but I found that buying a spare primary battery for
Re:Get a warranty (Score:2)
A "few" suggestions... (Score:5, Informative)
Well, here's what's in the cavern I call a backpack:
A Mini-Mouse
I don't know about the rest of you, but for me a button pointer or trackpad just can't beat the feel of a mouse. MacAlly makes a niftly little mouse called the iOptiJr [macally.com], which is just the smaller version of the iSweetNet. Nice and small, thus very precise; two buttons, wheel button, and programmable, and it's Mac/PC compatible. But... you'll have to get used to it being so small. I think other mice are big and bulky by comparison now, but that's because I got used to this one. You may need to install drivers, depending on your machine. You can get a wireless version, but then you have to worry about batteries. Optical is WAY better than your basic mechanical ball... unless you're using it on the surface of your laptop, or another shiny/sparkly surface. Think ahead.
A Mini USB Hub
Here's a slick one [iogear.com] by IOGear. This has proved useful occasionally, but I haven't used it in over six months. Buy at your discretion. Mine (Not the IOGear one; a different brand) came with a cable that was split into two USB plugs; one to provide basic functionality, and one to provide added power, so you could use more power-hungry devices (like external USB floppy drives, scanners, etc.) without needing to plug the hub into the wall. But... this can drain the power of your laptop if you aren't careful.
A Wireless Network Card
If your machine doesn't ship with one (or with functionality on the motherboard), buy yourself an 802.11g PCMCIA card. They're backwards compatible with 802.11b, and network access (copying files, etc.) is up to five times faster. However, this won't matter for internet access unless your sitting behind a T3. If you aren't planning on networking large files EVER, than spend half as much on 802.11b. Definitely get one though, because most internet cafes and hotspots are swithcing to wireless-only access, if they haven't already.
A Portable Flatbed Scanner
Obviously, this'll only matter if you need one. But I've found Canon's LIDE series (I've got the LIDE 30 [canon.com])to be a nice addition to my bag. Good quality, fast, small (same footprint as my 17-inch powerbook, and only 1.5 inches think!), and it's powered by the USB cable!
A Webcam
there are about a billion and a half of these out there. Think about what you're actually going to use it for, if anything. Don't spend extra because it's detachable and can take still photos. You're better off buying a digital camera. I've never needed one, but you might.
A Bluetooth Adapter PCMCIA Card or USB dongle.
This may be a non-issue for you, but if you have or think you might get any bluetooth devices (such as a wireless mouse or Bluetooth-enable PDA), this could well be worth the money. Again, it may already be on your motherboard.
Cables! (Oh, and a cable bag.)
Okay, one USB cable, normal-sized, and one of the mini-plugged ones, for digital cameras and other devices. Although... I've never needed to use this. (I try to stay as modular as possible, and use things that work with more standardized cables, etc.) A firewire 6-pin to 6-pin (for large devices such as drives), and a 6-pin to 4-pin, for smaller devices such as DV-camcorders. Other cables (such as a USB light, A/V and monitor cables, etc.) are up to you.
A Digital Camera
Obviously, not a necessity for a laptop user, but usually pretty handy if you don't have one. Buy one that uses Compact Flash (cheapest memory, MB/dollar), and AA batteries. Buy rechargables, highest capacity you can find... usually around 1800-2200 mA. Oh, and you can get a great 30-minute charger by Energizer for about $40 at Best Bu
Much easier. (Score:2)
Honestly with so much rubish the portability is completely lost.
Call tech support before you buy (Score:2)
IMHO (Score:2)
Home wireless. Nothing like checking my stocks while I'm on the shitter!
Rewired power plug: using RCA jacks inline, the DC/laptop end of my power is now a right-angle dongle. Far less susceptible to breakage, and the extra few feet of cable is really nice. Plus the RCA jack makes it dead easy to replace the plug if it ever does break.
Laptop desk: no more burnt knees.
G
Light bits. (Score:2)
Re:Light bits. (Score:2)
Kensington FlyLight and a Cordless Presenter (Score:2)
Also, take a look at something along the lines of this thing [amazon.com] for presentations. They're extremely handy, and have an extra "cool" factor when you leave the podium during your talk.
Re:Kensington FlyLight and a Cordless Presenter (Score:2)
There are some other types of lights as well; both Targus and Belkin sell USB lights that clip onto the top of the screen instead. The Kensington light works OK, but I suspect that the clipon versions like this Targus one [amazon.com] are actually nicer to have when you need to use one.
DO NOT purchase an extra battery (Score:3, Interesting)
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.
If its an apple notebook, (Score:2)
A UPS (Score:5, Funny)
(Oh, sorry, this is Slashdot. I meant, "...and loose all you're work...".)
Stuff I use and carry around (Score:2, Informative)
In addition, here's what I'd kinda like to have but don't:
Re:Stuff I use and carry around (Score:2)
On average I get about 45kbps, and as long as I have a phone signal, I have a data signal. I've used it on the road to connect to the company webmail, get directions, or grab patches/check docs online and stuff while enroute to a client (as a passenger) etc quite a bit.
Though the killer for me was I was out to eat with the VP when a client was hav
Notebook surge protector (Score:2, Informative)
A USB memory key is also quite incredibly useful if you move moderate amounts of data between computers, like spread sheets and word documents.
Headphone splitter. (Score:4, Interesting)
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.
Try again. (Score:2)
Here's my advice. Send the tax return to the IRS, and use the tax REFUND to buy the laptop. Otherwise the shopkeeper might laught at you, and you won't get the laptop.
Don't get a laptop case, get a backpack (Score:3, Informative)
Regular backpacks, with a little padding if you are paranoid, are much better for conveying your multi-kilobuck investments.
External Hard Drive (Score:2)
USB 2, Firewire, it doesn't matter. The case itself runs somthing like $25 for a decent case, and another $60 for a gianormous drive. The drive serves two purposes: 1) you can put all your personal, non work/school related stuff on there (porn, music, warez install backups, digital camera photo collection, etc.) and 2) you can back your shit up from time to time. Your laptop hard dri
Re:External Hard Drive (Score:2)
Re:External Hard Drive (Score:2)
Trackball mouse. It works on the plane, in the back seat of a car, on the beach, wherever. It also doesn't keep my roommate/girlfriend up at night with the light of a regular optical mouse.
What are you using, some kind of halogen mouse? Isn't the light of the screen a bigger concern? At any rate, you can get around this by simply having a baby, and then moving your desk into the baby's room and using your optical mouse as both a pointing device and a nightlight.
Actually, interesting point - all the op
I'd suggest... (Score:2)
Always takes the better part of a day for me to get a new machine exactly as I like it. I need to just burn a DVD or two with ghost images one of these days....
Most important (Score:2)
power inverter (Score:2, Interesting)
Options I'd consider (Score:2)
2. As much RAM as it will take
3. Best video card available
4. Warranty covering accidental damage (dropping, running it over with your car, etc)
5. USB Thumbdrive. 1GB or better.
6. Bag that doesn't look like a laptop bag. They've got some that look like ordinary backpacks, but have a special compartment inside for the laptop. Check CompUSA.
7. Wired and wireless NICs. Integrated.
8. External USB mouse
9. 4 port USB hub (Fry's has one thats under $5 and doesn
What I carry (Score:3, Interesting)
1) Good carrying case. I use a Marware Sportfolio II [marware.com], 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 [macally.com] and a retractable phone cord [macally.com]. 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 [apple.com] and AV adapter cable [apple.com] to get your video output onto TVs, projectors, and other places you need to show presentations, do code reviews, etc.
4) A Kensington Flylight [kensington.com] is invaluable when you're on an airplane or somewhere dark and need to use your computer.
I hope these suggestions are helpful.
A few suggestions (Score:2)
Get an extra AC adaptor (or two or three) I like being able to take mine out of the bag and hooking it up at home without also getting out the power brick and cord.
Carry a network cord.
Wireless - built in. Built in wireless allows for a larger antenna than a pc c
More, more, more, !!! (Score:2, Informative)
2.) Extra batteries - My Dell precision has a place for a second battery - I have 3 and I can travel on a 8 hour plane trip and still have enough juice for playing 3D games or watching movies for the whole trip!
3.) 802.11x card if it's not internal already
4.) USB 2.0 card if it's not internal already
5.) USB infrared mouse - I hate the touchpad. You cna't play games with a touchpad!!!
6.) A keyboard light (think g
What I liked (Score:2)
I still miss the laptop I had 3 years ago, but had to give that up when I left...
A good travel case is essential. There are many designs, find one that is right for you. Some people use the backpack because it is easy to carry, others the traditional "briefcase", and others have a wheeled contraption. Make sure the laptop, and the accesories you get fit. This is first for a reason: downsize everything else if you must to get a good travel case.
Get a laptop where the CD/floppy can be replaced by a se
External USB 2.0 / Firewire HD (Score:2, Interesting)
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 lap
No mouse (Score:2)
Docking station and other bits (Score:2)
IMHO a real keyboard and in my case trackball (mouse if you must) is necessary for long-term work and although there does not seem to have been a test case in the courts about the meaning of long-term yet, would seem to be a requirement of the Display Screen Regulations in the UK, and sensible anywhere else. You will not want
Less is best. (Score:2)
Re:I don't know. . . (Score:2, Troll)
Re:Let's see... (Score:2)
Like what? When he realizes he needs whatever it is he needs let him buy it then. WTF is this discussion all about? Please dump Ask Slashdot. It's a waste of everyone's time.