Notable Notebook Accessories for Students
A few inexpensive extras will make your child's laptop more useful, more fun and more secure.
• USB Flash Memory Drives. Thumb or pen drives are handy, little devices for storing and transferring documents, photos and music. The plug-n-play drives can be carried on a key ring and inserted into any computer's USB port. Some are even customized; PNY Technologies' Collegiate Attaché USB 2.0 drives let students choose their favorite school from over 140 college and university logos.
• Speakers. A set of desktop computer speakers will make a huge difference to your music-loving student. Surround-sound systems suitable for high-fidelity DVD and gaming are available, but for most students, compact stereo speakers from a reputable manufacturer (Creative and Logitech are top choices) are perfectly adequate and run $30 to $50.
• Mouse. You can attach a full-size keyboard to a laptop, but it's rarely worth the trouble. On the other hand, spending $20 or so on a high-quality corded mouse is an excellent investment in point-and-click comfort.
• Kensington Lock. The very portability that makes laptops so appealing to students also makes them a prime target for thieves, especially on college campuses. Every laptop case includes a special slot for securing the machine via cable lock. These are called Kensington locks, named for the company that invented them, but there are many brands available.