The Refurbished Laptops Guide » Accessories

Suffering From a Stiff Neck? A Laptop Holder Can Help

GuestPoster — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:11:51 +0000

I am a workaholic. It’s not enough that I spend eight to ten hours at the office each day, but I still need to get some work done at home. These days most of the work done in an office is done with computers. Since I work at home and at the office and sometimes in the subway when I’m coming home (I said I am a workaholic didn’t I) I like to use my trusty laptop computer. And more often than not I end a with stiff neck and a headache. The trouble is that portable computers are designed to be, well, portable and not ergonomic. Working with the computer on your lap means that you need to arch your back and tilt your head into a position that makes your muscles scream in agony. All you’ll end up is a headache makes you stop working.

One day I was flipping through a computer magazine and saw an ad for a laptop holder. It was a type of a stiff cushion that lifts the computer higher so you can work in a more ergonomic position. So I went and bought one and let me tell you it was best thing ever. My laptop is in a much better position for work. No more stiff necks and headaches. The holder also makes the computer a lot easier to use and I can get a lot more work done. It is great when you are working in an airplane, on a train, in a bus, on your sofa or at your office. One thing I also like is that the hot computer is no longer on top of my legs. Sometimes it got so hot it felt like it was going to burn through my pants. And all that radiation from the computer cannot be good for your testies. I know I’d like to have children one day.

Shopping:

Foldable Stand/Holder/Cradle for iPad Macbook Laptop Notebook Tablet PC

GSI Super Quality Wireless Hands-Free 7-in-1 Dock-Mount-Charger-FM Transmitter-Car Kit, for Ipod, IPhone 4G/3G/S, MP3, MP4, Laptop, Game Systems, CD and DVD Players - Includes Remote Control, LCD Display - Cigarette Lighter Plug-In

Toshiba Satellite L505-ES5015 TruBrite 15.6-Inch Laptop (Silver/Black)

Toshiba Satellite T115D-S1120 LED TruBrite 11.6-Inch Laptop (Black)

ARKON LMC215 Laptop Mobile Connect Laptop Mount Bundled with Universal SM015-2 Phone Cradle

The Different Types Of Protective Laptop Cases

GuestPoster — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:29:40 +0000

The reason for writing this article is simple, I am a college student who was witnessed several laptops get ruined at college because fellow students were not aware of what they were doing. If you are a current college student, or are going to attend college in the future, I highly recommend that you read this article about the best ways to protect your laptop while at college.

First of all the facts are that you need to keep you computer – no matter how cheap it was – in some type of case. I don’t care if you bought the cheapest, smallest computer available – if you do not want to buy another one, you will need to buy some type of bag for it. This is the first and foremost principle to follow when it comes to the subject of college. Why you might ask? Simply put – students are using their laptops for everything these days. Why write a paper when you can type it up in half the time. Why waste paper when you can type it up the laptops word processor and email it to your teacher. Why waste money and ink with a pen when all you have to do is type it in a word document and then print once. All of these tips are factual and almost uncontested. The truth is that the world is becoming more advanced and pencil and paper are becoming obsolete.

So if you have the best laptop for college then you will need the best case as well. The most common are laptop book bags and sleeves. These laptop back packs can be rolling or wheeled and come in many different styles like leather or cloth. Sleeves are usually slim stylish was to do the same thing. Despite what you use to think, the need for a case is very important.

Shopping:

HP Pavilion DV6-2162NR 15.6-Inch Black Laptop--Up to 4.25 Hours of Battery Life

Compaq Presario CQ62-210US Laptop PC

Toshiba Satellite L505-GS5037 TruBrite 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)

Toshiba Satellite L505-ES5015 TruBrite 15.6-Inch Laptop (Silver/Black)

HP Pavilion DV4-2161NR 14.1-Inch Laptop (Digital Plaid)

Three Reasons to Get a Laptop Computer Stand

GuestPoster — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:03:43 +0000

A laptop computer stand is a metal or plastic construction designed to hold the laptop in a higher position than it would normally take laying on the desk or your lap. By buying a laptop stand there are several common problems that can be prevented including health risks, strain and overheating problems.

A laptop computer stand is one of the cheapest ways to help reduce the health risks you’re put into working with the laptop day in day out. You may not notice the effects of looking at a spot 30 centimeters lower than the ergonomic optimum, but in a few years it will take its toll and I think these accessories are worth a $20 to $40 investment. By raising the laptop screen to eye height it makes you hold your head in a more natural position and by forcing you to use a desktop keyboard and mouse it helps reduce the risk of carpal-tunnel syndrome and puts less stress on lower and upper back.

There is another aspect to laptop stands however it is not as vital as eliminating the main cause of health risks. By laying on your desk your laptop barely keeps up with healthy airflow and is more probable to overheat and suffer damage from long term effects of overheating. By raising the bottom of the laptop, a laptop stand greatly improves airflow and lets your computer ‘breathe’.

Working on a laptop on a computer stand is way more comfortable than leaning above it typing away on a small keyboard with miniaturized buttons. Using a desktop keyboard reduces strain on fingers and wrists thus letting you work on your laptop enjoying the features of a desktop computer and the portability of the laptop at the same time.

Buying a laptop stand is a really easy way to extend the life-cycle of your laptop and reduced certain health-risks related to excess computer usage. Who would say it doesn’t worth a $30 investment?

Shopping:

GPG2 Laptop Lift for 13 - 19 Inch Laptop Computer, 122-1LL

Hercules X-Stand Ergonomic Portable Natural Airflow Cooling Stand For all 12-17" Laptop / Notebook Computers

DJ Laptop Computer Stand for Serato, Traktor, Torq

Macally EZbookPad Aluminum Colling Stand for Laptop Computers

Fellowes 80320 Laptop Riser - Office Suites

Get Your Toshiba Laptop Car Charger

GuestPoster — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:12:09 +0000

For a laptop owner, charging the laptop computer is a daily activity. Supplying power to the battery is essential, so you can use the laptop for long hours, whenever an important task arrives. The laptop charger is the tool that comes to mind. Yes, it provides power, but the duration in which it charges the battery, fully, and its durability may be in question. To be sure, don’t purchase just any charger; it must be a Toshiba laptop charger.

Toshiba is known for producing exceptional electronic and electrical gadgets. The laptop chargers that the company manufactures fit right in with that description. They are particularly durable, lasting for years of continuous use. Energy efficiency is also promoted, since they can fill up laptop batteries with power pretty fast. The toshiba laptop car charger is clearly among the best units on the market. Purchase one and see how it makes the use of your laptop even more convenient.

Laptop computers are both functional and stylish, which is why they are some of the most popular gadgets nowadays. Most people either purchase or clamor for one, until they garner enough cash. Of course, for every laptop, there should also be an accompanying charger. You need power to run the portable computer and the charger happens to be the instrument for the job. Why settle for generic items when you can purchase a Toshiba laptop charger?

Toshiba makes some of the best laptop chargers available. They are energy-efficient, routing enough power to recharge the battery and run the processor as well as the laptop’s other components. Built to last, they work perfectly even after years of continuous use.

The Toshiba laptop charger, in spite of its many improvements over other chargers, is reasonably priced. It shouldn’t take much from your budget to afford one. No wonder it stands as a favorite among avid laptop users.

Shopping:

NEW Laptop AC Adapter/Battery Charger Power Supply Cord for Toshiba Satellite M45-S1651 m30x-s114 L25-S1193 M115-S1064 M45-S165 L35 M45-S169 A85 PA3396U-1ACA SADP-65KBA L35-S1054 L35-S2151 API-7629 PA-3467U-1ACA A85-S107 L35-S2161 L25-S119

LAPTOP AC POWER ADAPTER CHARGER FOR TOSHIBA 15V 5A 3.0MM PA3283U-1ACA PA3283U...

PWR+ Car Charger DC Laptop Adapter for Toshiba Tecra A 1 A 2 A 3 A 3X A 4 A 5 A 8 A 9 A 10 M 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 M 5 M 7 M 8 M 9 M 10 R 10 S 1 S 2 TE 2000 TE 2100 TE 2300 ; Toshiba Satellite A 10 A 15 A 50 A 55 M 20 M 30 M 35 M 40 M 45 M 50 M 55 P 100 P 200 R 10 R 15 R 20 R 25 U 200 U 205 U 300 U 305 ; Toshiba Satellite Pro A 10 A 120 M 10 M 30 M 40 P 200 S 300 U 200 ; Toshiba Equium A 80 A 100 M 50 ; Toshiba Portege A 100 A 200 M 100 M 200 M 205 M 300 M 400 M 405 M 700 M 750 R 200 R 400 R 500 S 100 T 3400C T 3600C ; Toshiba Qosmio E 10 E 15 F 10 F 10 F 15 F 25 ; 15V 5A Portable DC Car Charger Laptop Notebook Computer Battery Charger Power Supply Cord Plug

LAPTOP AC ADAPTER CHARGER CORD FOR Toshiba AC ADAPTER 75W 19V 3.95A PA3468U-1ACA PA3432U PA3432E PA3380U PA-1750-01 A100 A105 M60 M65 1100 1900

AC Adapter/Power Cord for Toshiba PA3468U-1ACA Satellite U305 Laptop

Personalized flash drives, anyone?

Brent — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:18:22 +0000

As we’ve talked about in other posts, personalized flash drives are some of the hottest items on the market. People who are really trying to pump up their business are really getting into the trend, and are doing some serious damage on the marketing front. If you can believe it, some of these businesses are doubling and tripling their customer loads just by giving out personalized flash drives. Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not really. It’s a simple marketing concept. That concept basically says that if you want to get known, get your brand out there. The more people know that logo, the more customers you’ll have. It’s easy, really.

So, personalized flash drives are excellent for businesses as well as individuals. Businesses usually have the bankroll to really go out and buy a ton of these to either give out or sell en masse. Individuals usually can only order them in small quantities, but that’s fine. While you might not be able to get these customization companies to make you exactly what you want without a large wallet, you can still go online and buy them. That’s what we’re going to talk about today, actually: Where you, the individual, can buy personalized USB flash drives.

First off, forget the major customization companies. There are companies out there that will personalize your flash drives for you, but those are going to cost way too much money. Look at the usual online stores like Amazon. Amazon has a great assortment of these items, which can be accessed by looking through the “Shopping” links right below this post. These go for much less than you’d expect to pay for a company to do it for you. Generally these are going to have some sort of logo on them, and if you’re okay with that you can really save.

You can also find some personalized USB drives from them that are made in cool shapes and sizes. I had a picture on an earlier post of a flash drive that was made in the shape of a key. Pretty neat, and I’m sure you can find something similar through Amazon.

Also, don’t forget eBay. I can tell you right now that I’m certain that you can find personalized flash drives of all kinds on that site at pretty decent prices. Since these are individuals selling to individuals, you’re going to find some nice ones that are really well done. Rubik’s Cube flash drive, anyone?

Shopping:

SanDisk Cruzer Micro 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ6-4096-E11

SanDisk Cruzer Micro 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ6-8192-A11

Kingston DataTraveler I - 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive 4-Pack DTI/4GB-4P

HP v100w 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive P-FD8GBHP100-EF

1GB Capsule USB Drive

Promotional flash drives to boost your business

Brent — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:54:11 +0000

Promotional flash drives are the new hot ticket item in the world of marketing, and that’s no wonder: Every year thousands of companies go out of their way to ensure that their brand is well known to potential customers. They sell or give away an absolute ton of these promotional USB flash drives with their logo on them, making doubly sure that everyone who sees it is going to be a repeat customer, even if they don’t know it yet. The psychology of marketing is quite clear: The most recognizable brand is the brand that makes the most money. The company could be selling wicker baskets, but a cool gadget like a promotional flash drive is going to make its mark and bring those people back for more.

But, these aren’t just for businesses. Individual people can cash in on this promotional thing as well. While you might not have marketing on your mind, you might be interested in setting yourself apart from the crowd. This is just one way to do that. Showing up to work or school with a cool flash drive that nobody’s seen before can make you stand out. At the very least, it’ll be a great conversation piece. People around you will want to know more about where you got it, how much it was, and how they can get one for themselves. Pretty cool, really.

The cost and features of these drives definitely do vary. You can’t find one that’s exactly the same of the other, really. While one promotional flash drive may only have a company’s logo on it (but otherwise look normal), there are many that are absolutely unique and were created with the imagination of the person who bought it. Have you ever seen a corn-on-the-cob USB drive? Strange, right? Well, that’s what the person was going for, and well, it worked.

All of that coolness aside, you will pay more for one of these compared to a normal flash drive you’d pick up from the store. Naturally whoever does the customization needs to have the correct tooling for the job, and because the company needs to make money, they’re probably going to pass that cost on to you, the consumer. That either means that you’ll pay for the tooling yourself, or that you’ll have to buy so many flash drives that they’ll recoup their expenses. Either way, expect to pay a bit.

There are many sites online that specialize in cheap promotional flash drives, so have a look.

Shopping:

Promotional USB Flash Drive - Jupiter, 256MB (50) - Customized w/ Your Logo

Promotional Flash Drive - AluMark, 512MB (100) - Customized w/ Your Logo

Kingston DataTraveler I - 32 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive DTI/32GB

Promotional 512MB Altwister Flash Drive (100) - Customized w/ Your Logo

Promotional Super Price Silver Bullet USB Pen 2G (10) - Customized w/ Your Logo

Custom flash drives are hot

Brent — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:01:43 +0000

If you want to be on the cutting edge of marketing, you should check out custom flash drives. These drives can be configured in so many ways, shapes, and forms that you would have to try to fail at your attempt. There are companies out there that specifically manufacture custom USB flash drives to suit your needs; all you have to do is tell them exactly what you want, and they’ll build it for you as long as you order enough of them (they need to be able to produce the product at a profit to keep doing business!). I’ve seen custom drives made out of plastic, metal, and yes, even wood. The drive in question was made out of a wooden heart; the electronic section was sealed inside of it. Pretty neat, huh?

The best thing about these customized flash drives is that they can be as big or small as you’d like them to be. Want to make one in the shape of an airplane? Sure thing, but it probably wouldn’t be very portable. The best one I’ve seen was in the shape of a switchblade knife. Press the button and the USB section pops out as if it was a knife. That’s pretty cool, but don’t take something like that to the airport if you know what’s good for you.

But really, the people who really order these drives are usually marketing folks at larger companies. It’s amazing how much marketing you can do for your business when you’re able to sell (or give out) cheap USB drives with your company’s logo printed on it. You don’t have to go crazy here and order them in weird shapes, though it probably would help. I mean, who would forget a custom flash drive in the shape of a small pirate ship? Nobody, that’s who! (And yes, I’ve seen this as well)

The biggest issue most people have with promotional USB drives is the cost. Yes, they’re going to be more expensive to create than your typical drive, and thus, that cost gets passed onto you. That’s fine if you expect to have a certain return-on-investment with your campaign. If you expect a certain number of new clients, that may work just great for you to spend a little extra on cool gadgets to help out your cause. And really, at the end of the day there are fewer things better for your business than being able to do something like give out customized USB flash drives.

Shopping:

Promotional 4GB Altwister Flash Drive (50) - Customized w/ Your Logo

Promotional 512MB Slim Flash Drive (100) - Customized w/ Your Logo

Promotional USB Flash Drive - Jupiter, 256MB (50) - Customized w/ Your Logo

Mini Cooper USB Drive 2GB Black

512MB DISKGO USB FLASH DRIVE 2.0 WITH CUSTOM LABEL

Buy a bluetooth computer adapter

Brent — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:39:55 +0000

Bluetooth computer adapters are some of the hottest and most useful gadgets in the computing world today. If you’re a user of bluetooth (either through your laptop, phone, headphones, etc.), you’ve probably needed to go out at one point and buy a bluetooth to computer plugin. These are usually sold anywhere other adapter types are sold; you can generally go to most electronics stores and find them easily. But of course, you need to know what type of bluetooth adapter you need first right? Bluetooth for computer adapters come in a variety of shapes, sizes, functions, and most importantly: Costs. All are not made equal, so we’re going to talk today about some of the ones you should be looking at.

These adapters are often called “dongles,” so you should be on the lookout for that terminology as well. That’s probably the more common thing to call them, so keep that in mind. These bluetooth computer dongles generally work by interfacing with your computer through its USB port. Because most laptops don’t actually have bluetooth adapters (some do, however), you usually have to actually buy one of these before being able to utilize a bluetooth connection. Most smart phones are bluetooth equipped though, so you won’t need to make any modifications to have it work with your laptop.

One of my favorite places to shop online is Amazon (see the product links below this post for links to them), and they sell these bluetooth dongles at a pretty good price. You can usually find them anywhere between $10-$20 depending on what kind you get. If you want one with a little bit more range and power, you’ll probably end up spending nearer to $30. However, if you really want to extend the reach of your interface across your house, then that’s probably your best bet.

A high-end computer bluetooth dongle would probably be the best bet if you want to be able to share files, music, and games across your household. Lower end dongles are probably fine as well, but many of them will have very short ranges. That’s okay for a lot of people who don’t need to be able to move around their home or office, but for those on the go, these probably won’t work too well.

So everyone, do your homework before going out and buying a bluetooth computer dongle/adapter. Ask your friends, read reviews, and make sure you know what you need before you go to the store. Best of luck.

Shopping:

JVC KD-HDR40 CD Receiver with Built-In HD Radio Tuner, Front AUX Input, and Bluetooth/Satellite Radio add-on capability

Smallest Bluetooth 2.0 Adapter Dongle (Vista/Windows XP Compatible)

Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 Mac/Windows

Motorola T305 Bluetooth Portable Car Speaker

Logitech V470 Bluetooth Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks (Blue)

The ultimate cool accessory: Bluetooth earphones

Brent — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:59:36 +0000

A great way to spruce up your computing and entertainment experience is to get a set of bluetooth earphones. Check these out if you really want to stand out and make yourself a little bit more mobile. These have absolutely no cord; simply turn on the earphones, turn on your adapter (you’ll probably have to buy a bluetooth adapter for most laptops), and you’re all set and ready to go. The music is sent wirelessly and very quickly between the earphones themselves and your computer. There’s almost no lag, and interference caused by other electronics is rare. You can be assured that even without the wire you’ll get a good listening experience. These can be used with your music programs such as iTunes with good results. Heck, you might even be able to set your iPod up so that you can stream music to your bluetooth earphone really easily. That’d be pretty convenient, right?

I should tell you that stereo bluetooth earphones aren’t exactly cheap. And why should they be? They’re not really much more than a cool gadget that you can show your friends. The range isn’t all that great on many of them, but that’s alright if you’re going to be sitting near your computer the whole time. Most wireless bluetooth earphones run $30-$100 USD, which is actually pretty much in-line with wired types. However, the $30-$40 range is crowded by a lot of models that really shouldn’t be there. Their sound quality leaves a lot to be desired, some of them are cheaply made, and few of the cheap ones come with good warranties. You’re better of getting a more expensive version. Remember that getting the cheapest stuff usually bites you in the end.

The best bluetooth earphones can be even used in your car. Yes, you heard right. While I don’t recommend going out and buying a full over-ear set of earphones to be used in your car, you can certainly get a simple one-ear headset style that many people use when talking on the phone. Many cars these days do have bluetooth interfaces (at least the more expensive ones do), so you can do some talking on the phone while you’re driving, and do it safely. Having a wireless bluetooth interface like this allows you to keep both hands on the wheel and concentrate on driving.

So, check these little gadgets out if you’re into cool high-tech toys. You won’t regret it.

Shopping:

JBuds Hi-Fi Noise-Reducing Ear Buds (White)

ACOUSTIBUDS, 3 SIZES - Premium Adapters for Earphones AND Bluetooth Headsets. A new solution for in-ear audio. MADE IN THE USA. Adapters only, earphones not included. White, Three Pair & Three Sizes.

Wireless FM Stereo RS 864 863.5 864.5MHz Rf cordless Stereo Headphones For TV VCD CD PC MP3 MP4 DVD built in 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter w/Transmitter

Motorola H500 Bluetooth Wireless Headset (Soft Pink)

Coby Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Earphones with Dongle CVE162 (Black)

Check out bluetooth headphone systems

Brent — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:36:37 +0000

Listening to music and talking on the phone are made much easier with the advent of bluetooth headphone systems. Bluetooth has basically revolutionized the way that we work with our phones, computers, and even cars. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless protocol that carries a heck of a lot of speed. You can listen to music, talk on the phone, and do very quick file transfers as long as you’re within range of the unit. It’s a great invention for sure, and really cuts down on the amount of wiring you have to use for your projects and while using your equipment.

So, I think you should really look into getting bluetooth headphones if you want to make your life easier. These can come in two forms: The typical “in-ear” headsets you see many people wearing when they talk on the phone, and then the “cup” style headphones that you’d normally wear if you were listening to music. You can also get bluetooth earbud styles as well, but these are distinctly less popular. In my opinion, if you’re going to get something that costs a bit of money and uses wireless technology, just go all out and buy the full-ear covering type. The sound quality will be much better, and will be more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Bluetooth stereo headphones like the ones I mentioned above are found at many online stores and even in normal stores. Stores like Best Buy and Fry’s specialize in these types of headphones, and you can browse their selections both online and in the store. You’ll probably be able to find exactly what you want through either of those two. You can also try stores such as TigerDirect and others like it; their prices may be a little bit better, so shop around a bit. Now, I should warn you before you start shopping that bluetooth wireless headphones are a little expensive.

Even the cheapo brands can run you $40+, which might not be much in the world of headphones, but remember that we’re talking the worst quality. What you’re paying for is the convenience of not running wires everywhere. Sound quality also depends on the brand; just remember that you get what you pay for. Getting the cheaper models are probably not going to sound very good, while the best bluetooth stereo headphone systems are going to sound pretty decent. Again, it all comes down to what you’re willing to pay for the lack of a cord.

See what you can find. Shouldn’t be too difficult.

Shopping:

Motorola MOTOROKR S9 Stereo Bluetooth Headphones (Colors May Vary) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Motorola MOTOROKR S9 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

Rocketfish Bluetooth High-Definition Stereo Headphones for Most Bluetooth-Enabled Devices Black RF-MAB2

Plantronics M220C Mobile Headset for Cordless Phones

Miccus BluBridge Mini-Jack - Bluetooth Music Transmitter for 3.5mm Headphone Jacks