Accessories can make or break the perfect outfit -- the right ones
can really help you look your best. Computer accessories are similar --
certain accessories can help you get the most out of your computer.
Devices such as a mouse help you to operate your system, and helpful
tools such as thumb drives allow you to back up and share data between
different computers or users. Some accessories can make you more
efficient or productive, and others are just plain fun and stylish. The
latest accessories can even help you update an older system without the
expense and inconvenience of purchasing a new computer. Before you shop
for new computer gadgets, take a look at this list of the top 10
computer accessories and learn how each can benefit you.
Would this office really look -- or be -- as productive without the computer accessories?
10: Flash Drives
Flash drives -- also called thumb
drives or USB drives -- offer one of the easiest and most efficient
methods of moving and sharing files between different computers or
users. These devices plug into the USB port on your computer to upload
or download data, and then store the information for up to 10 years
without the need for batteries or other power sources [source:Maran].
Best of all, most USB drives are about the size of a stick of gum,
allowing them to fit comfortably in your pocket or on a key ring.
Early flash drives came with a high
price tag and held relatively small amounts of data. Today, technology
has improved so much that you can store any number of large files at
very little cost. In fact, many companies give flash drives away for
free as part of product promotions or marketing plans. Some contain
sneak peaks of new games or software programs, and others simply serve
as a business card for the company. Users can access the data on the
drive, then simply delete any unwanted information and reuse the drive
again and again.
Card-based Computing
With the convenience of the flash drive and the speed of modern
computers, it's hard to believe how complex and difficult computing
could be during its early days. Through the 1970s, users relied on a
system of punch cards to store data and run programs. Each card
represented a single line of programming, and the entire stack of cards
had to be kept in careful order to ensure the system would operate as
intended.
9: Laptop Bags
For the laptop computer user,
selecting the perfect carrying case can be nearly as much fun as
choosing the computer itself. These bags feature well-placed padding to
protect your laptop during transit, and some even include built-in solar
panels to charge your battery when you're on the move. Both bags and
sleeve-style holders also allow you to showcase your unique style, with
designs ranging from bold patterns and prints to the finest leather.
Rolling bags can help you transport a heavy laptop and all of the
associated work and plugs with ease, but may be too bulky or unwieldy
for some users. If you simply want a case to protect and transport your
laptop, look for special offers for a free bag with the purchase of your
computer.
Laptop users who travel frequently
may want to spring for a "checkpoint friendly" case to speed up the
airport security process. These bags feature butterfly, trifold or
sleeve-style designs that allow scanners to inspect your computer
without removing it from the case.
Have laptop, will travel. Frequent flyers can't do without specially designed laptop bags, especially the ones on wheels.
Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Getty Images/Thinkstock
8: Speakers
A surprisingly large number of
consumers use their computers primarily as multimedia entertainment
centers. Sure, they may send a few e-mails or browse the Web, but music,
movies and games often take center stage. For these users, high-quality
speakers are a vital accessory for everyday computing. Some may be
satisfied with speakers built into the monitor or keyboard, but many
multimedia fans spring for advanced sound systems that rival those found
with top-of-the-line stereos. These speakers may plug into USB ports or
connect to the computer wirelessly using Bluetooth technology.
The right speakers provide much
better sound quality than the tiny built-in units found in the average
computer. You'll experience less interference and more realistic sounds
that can boost your computing experience. Those interested in gaming,
music or video will benefit most from after-market speaker options, as
will fans of Web-based chat programs or phone systems. Of course, you
can always use a pair of high-quality headphones to enjoy a similar
level of quality without disturbing your roommate, family members, or
the guy seated next to you on the commuter train.
Exercise While You Work -- or Play!
If your laptop computer has turned you into a couch potato, try
combining computer time with exercise to get fit while enjoying your
favorite movies and games. Several manufacturers now produce laptop
trays that connect to a treadmill so you can compute while you walk or
jog. Some even double as an office workspace, so employees can walk at a
slow, steady pace throughout the day while they send e-mails and handle
other tasks.
7: Gaming Gear
From Second Life to World of
Warcraft, gaming and software manufacturers enjoy sales of more than $10
billion a year as of 2009 [source:Snider].
If you haven't played computer games recently, you'll be astounded to
see how much gaming has evolved from the early days of Pong and
Asteroid. As gaming has grown, so too has the number of accessories used
to play these games, with each one offering a slightly different
experience or edge to players. The basic joystick or gamepad plugs
directly into your USB port for online play, and steering wheels and
flight control systems offer a realistic driving or flying experience.
One of the hottest features is "force feedback," which sends vibrations
or other motions through the game controller to reflect the action on
your computer screen.
Serious players rely on special
gaming mice or keyboards that store game data internally and allow users
to customize settings. The most complex games may even require
motion-activated gloves, headgear or mouthpieces to maximize play
strategy. Wireless versions of your favorite game gear even allow you to
play from the comfort of the couch or your bed.
Today's computer gaming accessories have moved beyond the joystick to make simulation fun.
Image Credit: Hemera/Thinkstock
6: Compressed Air Can
When the keys of your keyboard start
sticking, or you just can't seem to get the buttons to work correctly,
it's time to break out the compressed air can. This simple tool clears
crumbs, dust and other debris out from between your keys by directing
air through a narrow tube, similar to a straw. You can even use
compressed air to extend the life of your computer by cleaning fans, air
intake grills or the power supply. Built-up dust in these areas cuts
off ventilation to vital operating components, causing them to overheat.
Routine cleaning keeps your computer running, and compressed air cans
make this task easy.
If you have an old track-ball style
mouse that's acting up, try twisting off the base and using compressed
air to blow dust out of the inner cavity. This allows the ball to roll
freely within the casing, eliminating cursor skips and jumps. A few
cautions about this handy tool: A few years back, kids discovered they
could get a quick high by huffing compressed air. The cans now come with
warnings and/or bitter taste added. And this isn't an aerosol can, so
don't shake before using.
The Boss Screen
This tool may have kept many employees from the unemployment line
over the years. Even the best worker has likely spent time surfing or
completing the occasional personal task during work hours. A "boss
screen" comes up when you click a button or on-screen icon; a faux
spreadsheet or other screen quickly hides the Final Four rundown or
other indiscretion. It was more widely used a decade ago but still
protects privacy and saves jobs today.
5: Webcam
Computer Webcams allow you to enjoy
video chat sessions with family and friends, or conduct business with
people around the world. Some laptops feature built-in cameras, but many
desktop computers require a separate Webcam that plugs into a USB port.
Video quality varies, depending on camera speed and resolution, but
even the most basic Webcams provide a face-to-face meeting for those
separated by long distances. Wireless models even let you record or
stream activity across the room or in other parts of your home using
Bluetooth technology. You can program some Webcams to take digital
pictures at specified intervals or to stream video for monitoring
purposes.
Some users worry that hijackers can
take over your Webcam and spy on you and your family from a distance
using computer viruses. This type of hijacking is rare, but you can
protect your privacy with a firewall and strong anti-virus program
[source:Johnson].
To make sure you're protected, add a strip of black tape over the
camera lens, or direct the camera toward the wall when you're not using
it.
We now rely on wireless technology
for Internet access, cell phone connections and lots of other
applications. Cut the cords and minimize clutter around your computer by
using wireless accessories. Many of these devices rely on radio waves
to send signals to a receiver plugged into your USB port, although some
may rely on Bluetooth or other technologies. Many office workers and
homeowners may find that wireless accessories with built-in device
drivers make setup easier by eliminating the tangle of cords, but others
like the familiarity of wired keyboards, printers and other devices.
Try a wireless mouse for flexible
computing, and to avoid wires that may limit your movement. Wireless
printers can free up space around your computer, and a wireless keyboard
allows you to work with your keyboard in your lap, or in the location
of your choosing. For maximum portability, eliminate the wires and the
keyboard in favor of laser-projected keypads. These devices produce a
light-based keyboard on a tabletop or desk, and can read the movements
of your fingers as you "type."
The Oldest Computer in the World
Many people are shocked to learn that the world's oldest computer
isn't from a computer company or university. In fact, it wasn't invented
in this century. Early in the 20th century, scientists discovered the
Antikythera mechanism, which dates to 80 BC. The bronze object and its
numerous dials, levers and gears baffled scientists for decades.
Recently, experts determined it served as a computer of sorts, allowing
sailors to map the moon and sun to guide their travels [source:Smith].
3: External Storage
It only takes one major computer
crash to convince the average user how important it is to back up a
computer's hard drive. The internal hard drive holds all the major data
on your machine, and if it crashes, this information may be gone
forever. External storage devices provide an effective method for
backing up your important data and images, expanding the size of your
hard drive or even transferring information from one computer to
another. Early computer users relied on floppy disks for these tasks,
although these disks were vulnerable to magnets and other potential
disturbances. CDs and flash drives offer a long-term backup solution,
but disks are relatively fragile and flash drives easily misplaced.
For long-term storage and regular
backup, an external disk drive is hard to beat. Many of these devices
can store the entire contents of your computer, or simply hold excess
songs and videos that won't fit on your hard drive. Best of all, your
information remains protected in the event of a computer crash or
accident.
A computer without a monitor is like a
movie theater without a screen, a newspaper without print, a … you get
the picture. Well, you get the picture if you have a monitor. Much like
television buyers, computer monitor shoppers often seek out the biggest
and best models on the market. Standard monitors range from 15 to 17
inches (38 to 43 cm) on average, and some measure as large as 40 inches
(102 cm), with larger units sure to follow. Larger monitors give you a
clear picture of your work or multimedia and allow you to fit more
information on the screen, but they also come with a high price tag that
may put them out of some buyers' reach. If you're looking to maximize
productivity, a dual-monitor system lets you view multiple programs at
once across two side-by-side screens connected to a single computer.
As with most technology, biggest
isn't always better, at least not in every dimension. Traditional
cathode tube technology has largely been replaced by liquid crystal
display, or LCD, monitors. LCD technology has allowed manufacturers to
produce the flat-screen units that are so popular with today's computer
users. These devices consume less energy and provide a bright, clear
picture in a much smaller space. The flat-screen monitors improve gaming
and multimedia enjoyment, as well as photo editing resolution [source:Perenson].
And they just look cleaner and take up less space, leaving room for
other cool computer or office supplies. Special privacy filters or
anti-glare screens can help customize your monitor to your needs.
1: The Mouse
Scroll, drag and drop data on your
computer screen at the click of a button using an optical or mechanical
mouse. The early version of the mouse used a small trackball built into
the base to move a cursor around the screen, but modern versions rely on
laser lights to track movements. A similar device, the trackball,
allows users to move the cursor by rolling a ball built into a
stationary holder. The technology is similar to that of the mouse, but
has failed to catch on with most computer fans. The traditional
two-button mouse remains popular, although models with click wheels or
special gaming features also are available.
Today, the mouse comes in a virtually
unlimited number of designs, including diamond-encrusted models or
devices covered in fur to resemble a real mouse. You can have fun
exploring different models and finding one that makes computing fun and
that fits your personality.
Laptop users can choose from a
touchpad or mouse button, both of which can require some practice to
master. On a touchpad, users drag their fingers across a flat surface to
move a cursor, and mouse buttons allow the user to roll a single finger
across a small button to move or select objects on the screen. Of
course, there's always the option of plugging in a standard or wireless
mouse via the laptop's USB port.
What's a mouse without its pad?
The traditional trackball-style mouse required a pad so the ball
could roll smoothly across the surface. A bumpy desk could cause the
cursor to jump around the screen, leading to endless frustration. Today,
mouse pads mainly serve as decoration and do little to improve the
operation of the optical or laser mouse, although serious gamers may
notice a difference.
Would this office really look -- or be -- as productive without the computer accessories? 
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