Popular Notebook Computer Accessories

So you've just bought a new notebook computer (also called a laptop) and you'd like to get some nice accessories to enhance your portable working efficiency. Or perhaps you already own a notebook computer, but you're finding that you need a certain accessory to enhance or upgrade it.

The good news is that there are thousands of different types of notebook computer accessories in the consumer market, most of which can be bought cheap or with deep discounts. However, the sheer volume of available accessories can be overwhelming, especially if you're not sure what item you need to make your laptop do what you want it to do.

Here is a brief guide to the most popular notebook computer accessories, and what they are used for.

Wireless User Input Devices – A "user input device" simply refers to a mouse, keyboard, or other object that's used to interface with the computer. Wireless devices are popular with notebook computers because they are convenient and portable. Wireless mice are especially sought-after because they give users the feel and control of a desktop mouse, but more compact and without messy wires.

Notebook Cases/ Bags – There are many styles of notebook cases and bags, all used to protect your laptop while carrying it around. You can find them in messenger-bag style, attache style, and even as a backpack. What makes them different from normal bags and cases is that they feature specially-formed padding to protect your computer, and they often have many accessory pouches and pockets to store peripherals.

Cooling Pad – Notebook cooling pads are becoming increasingly popular. They are simply pads that rest underneath the laptop, displacing heat. This protects the computer from overheating and gives you more comfort if you use your notebook on your lap. Some cooling pads even use tiny fans inside the pad to vent away heat.

Wireless Network Cards – Most laptops made today have internal wireless receivers that let you connect to the Internet. However, many laptops bought within a year or so do not have them, so a wireless network card is needed to connect to the Internet. These cards simply plug into the PCMCIA slot, which most laptops have.

Spare/ Backup Batteries – Some laptop manufacturers offer spare batteries that can be used on-the-go when your main battery is drained. Extended batteries are just spare batteries that offer more power than regular batteries, which give you more usage time. Then there are backup batteries, which are often designed to be universal, meaning they will work with any brand or model of notebook. Most backup batteries offer a lot of power and simply plug into the AC input on your laptop.

Portable Storage – The most common type of portable storage for notebook users is a USB drive, sometimes called a thumb drive. These small devices can attach to your key ring and provide up to several gigabytes of storage. Other devices called external hard drives are a bit bulkier, but provide up to several hundred gigabytes of storage. Both devices are designed to let you back up your data in case your laptop crashes.

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