New laptop - what accessories should I get?

[tzvia]

PC or MAC?
I would recommend, if it is a PC, that you look down. The lower right corner, next to the clock, to be more precise. See all those 'craplets' down there? Most laptop vendors put all kinds of trialware, watered down freebies, and various junk they thought was worth crapping onto your PC there. It all takes up memory so taking time to see what each is, and uninstalling the junk, will make your machine faster and more responsive.

You need running in the SYSTRAY:
Antivirus
Firewall
(maybe) Volume control
Wireless connection software
(maybe) spyware control (if AV software doesn't have it and some don't).

With the exception of some utilities (like the Safely-Remove-Hardware icon to undock flashdrives) not much else is needed down there. But look at how much is probably there...

If using the AV software that came with the PC, it is probably trialware and will expire and so will the protection, so be sure you are using full software. And I always recommend a good software firewall (no not Windows Firewall.) The PC ceases to be fun with the first Trojan so I always recommend the one-two punch- AV+Firewall.

[smilingcat]

+1 spazzdog.

I also hate the touch pad so I bought a minature USB mouse for about $7.00, including tax. They are perfectly fine if your hand is small. I also carry two/three USB memory stick. And for the road, I also carry a 10' ethernet cable just in case. And don't forget to carry your charger/adapter.

My laptop is equipped with WiFi but if your's doesn't, its worth getting one.

In a pinch, I have a starbucks card, buy a drink and I have two hours free at starbucks. At Coffee Bean & Tea, its free.

[smilingcat]

PC or MAC?
I would recommend, if it is a PC, that you look down. The lower right corner, next to the clock, to be more precise. See all those 'craplets' down there? Most laptop vendors put all kinds of trialware, watered down freebies, and various junk they thought was worth crapping onto your PC there. It all takes up memory so taking time to see what each is, and uninstalling the junk, will make your machine faster and more responsive.

You need running in the SYSTRAY:
Antivirus
Firewall
(maybe) Volume control
Wireless connection software
(maybe) spyware control (if AV software doesn't have it and some don't).

With the exception of some utilities (like the Safely-Remove-Hardware icon to undock flashdrives) not much else is needed down there. But look at how much is probably there...

If using the AV software that came with the PC, it is probably trialware and will expire and so will the protection, so be sure you are using full software. And I always recommend a good software firewall (no not Windows Firewall.) The PC ceases to be fun with the first Trojan so I always recommend the one-two punch- AV+Firewall.

tis the reason I hate windows. I run Linux. Ubuntu is good, but I run Mandriva. Don't care for redhat.

[badgercat]

I would also recommend an external hard drive for backups. Laptops are easier theft targets not only on the road, but also at home if (heaven forbid) you're ever burglarized. My laptop holds some "priceless" things (photos, papers and projects for school), and some things that would just be really inconvenient to replace (music, software). Keeping a running backup of all of that is at least a little bit of insurance, and easy utilities are available to basically handle it automatically.

I would recommend keeping a set of external computer speakers around too, if you ever plan to use the laptop for listening to music or watching videos etc. Laptop speakers are adequate--but not exactly satisfying--for music and such.

I've been laptop-only for nearly 6 years now and I love it. Knowing what sort of laptop you got might help inspire some more ideas.

Have fun!

[Owlie]

Another vote for an external hard drive. I finally bit the bullet and bought one on Monday. Perhaps a mouse if you don't like the touchpad.

[OakLeaf]

I'd give the touch pad a chance, though. I LOVE mine. By setting it for tap-to-click and two-finger scrolling, I never have to use the button, which is so stressful to the thumb and wrist joints (and probably the shoulder, too).

[Owlie]

I'd give the touch pad a chance, though. I LOVE mine. By setting it for tap-to-click and two-finger scrolling, I never have to use the button, which is so stressful to the thumb and wrist joints (and probably the shoulder, too).

+1.

[ny biker]

Okay so, I've got the external hard drive (still in the box, but there's nothing I really need to back up yet) and a slip case for when I'm transporting it. I'm looking forward to bringing it with me to Philadelphia this weekend so I can hook up the the internet and maybe watch a DVD or two if I have some time to kill.

I don't know yet if I want a mouse for it. So far I'm doing okay with the touchpad.

Thanks everyone!!

[Photoflygirl]

Ditto the external HD, but also burn important files/documents to a read-write CD/DVD. Also burn photos to a CD so you won't lose them. Our desktop just crashed and we are waiting to see if some files are recoverable. Most of it was backed-up, with the exception of what happened in the last week.

[ny biker]

Ditto the external HD, but also burn important files/documents to a read-write CD/DVD. Also burn photos to a CD so you won't lose them. Our desktop just crashed and we are waiting to see if some files are recoverable. Most of it was backed-up, with the exception of what happened in the last week.

I am planning to copy all the photos to DVD as an extra backup. There's not much else, besides excel files with cue sheets of some rides I mashed up from other people's cue sheets. But yes I plan to have more than one backup.

Thanks!