The Best Netbook Accessories

Image Source : Laptoppimp

Now is the time to get great netbook deals. With manufacturers stopping production, prices on netbooks are cheaper than ever. For some people, a netbook is a great solution to mobile computing. Whilst laptops are getting cheaper, netbooks are still even more affordable and more portable too. And tablets might be cool, but they lack the processing power and memory capacity of a netbook. On top of that, typing a long email on a tablet's touch screen, even on an iPad 3G, really isn't any fun at all, whereas a netbook has a full physical keyboard. Not only can you get a great deal on a netbook right now, but you can get good prices on all the requisite accessories too. Got your new netbook and want to kit it out? Here's what you should think about getting...

A Carrying Case...
Your netbook is going to get carried around, which means that it's liable to get scratched or even broken somewhere along the way. A decent carrying case will not only protect your netbook, but will also mean that you can save a little space in your briefcase or back pack, and carry your netbook over your shoulder. Crusher makes some excellent cases. Look for something that has a carrying strap, rather than just handles, as it will make carrying more convenient. If you're not into the idea of carrying your netbook separately, then look out for deals on specialised bags and back packs that come with a netbook pocket. These can be convenient compromises between separate cases and an over-stuffed briefcase or back pack.

A Sleeve...
If you decide not to go with a carrying case, you're going to need at least a sleeve to protect your netbook whilst it's in a pocket of another bag. A sleeve will give surface protection, meaning your device won't get scratched, but it should also be slightly padded to provide at least minimal shock absorbing capabilities. Look out for a sleeve that's at least 0.25cm or so thick, so that it can adequately protect your netbook. Also, make sure that the sleeve fits properly. They do come in different sizes, and too small means it will be difficult to remove your netbook, whilst too big means that your netbook can slip out when you're carrying it.

Techie Stuff...
There are some other great accessories that you can look out for. If your netbook has an HDMI port, grab yourself an HDMI cable. This will let you hook your netbook up to a regular computer monitor or your TV, so you can get the big screen feeling when you're not on the go. If there's no integrated DVD player on your netbook, you can pick up an external one pretty cheaply. This will make your netbook great for entertainment on a business trip, as well as for working. A wireless mouse is a pretty nice thing to have too, since netbook track-pads can be annoying to use in the long term. Finally, invest in some decent anti-virus software as well. Netbooks are just as vulnerable as any other kind of computer to viruses, and it's best to protect yourself.


Phil Turner would buy an iPad 3g for travelling but he cannot get on with virtual keyboards, so he has bought a netbook instead.