Which laptop accessories?

[Parm]

I'm liking my new laptop (Dell Inspiron 1520) but I find it's in need of a few accessories.

Firstly, I can't get used to the touch pad, it's ok to use here and there but I really need a mouse. So, the first question is, which notebook mouse do you recommend? Ideally it'd be something rechargeable cause I hate going through batteries.

Secondly, I'm also in need of a laptop carry case. It's a 15.4" laptop, can anybody recommend a good case?

Last but not least, what other laptop accessories do you think are essential? Anything I'm missing?

[Hasnath]

logitech vx revolution, even though it uses 1xAA, it lasts ages. Comes with a handy wireless dongle that fits in the mouse while in transit.

fairly cheap now at pcworld also
Buy the LOGITECH 931690-0914 at cheap prices from PC World

I recommend a crumpler gimp case as their really snug and use thick neoprene, ive actually got one spare

[Parm]

Thanks for the suggestions, they both look like good ones. The crumpler cases in particular look very trendy!

[vrykyl]

the vx revolution is ACE - it gets my vote too - the mrs has one - its sooooo nice to use.

[staffsMike]

I'd agree the revolution is nice to use but this has to be the best wireless mouse..not becuase of the mouse but because of the reciever

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

tiny

side by side with the rev

also i know that laptop likes to get warm so a notebook cooler perhaps.
I have an antec one. Very quiet and keeps mine very cool.

Amazon.co.uk: ANTEC NOTEBOOK COOLER: Electronics & Photo: Antec

[Parm]

Thanks for the suggestion Mike, the VX Nano looks super, the USB receiver is great at that size!

However, I think I'm leaning toward a Microsoft Notebook Mouse 4000, it's pretty basic but I've seen it as part of a deal on Amazon that comes with a Belkin Laptop Bag that I quite like the look of.

Here it is: Amazon.co.uk: Belkin NE-MS 15.4 Inch Canvas Messenger: Electronics & Photo: Belkin
That bag and the mouse equals £38.44 and that sounds pretty good to me. Very tempted!

[staffsMike]

Thats a nice deal. The one thing I don't like about that mouse when we had them at work was the silver bit down the middle, found it very annoying to use but its a very good protable mouse.

If you havn't used one try and have a go at pc world or some such place first

If you have and you like it.. rock on lol

[Parm]

Turns out I couldn't get that deal from Amazon in the end. The mouse is being sold by another retailer via Amazon (I totally don't get that weird system, is there a way to set the Amazon site to show products actually sold by Amazon only?). Anyhow, as a result I'd have had to pay extra for delivery and the deal wasn't as sweet as I'd though.

Ebuyer aren't far off though. I can get the same Belkin bag and a Microsoft Wireless Notebook Mouse 6000 (which I'm guessing is better) for just over £40. With Ebuyer though you need to spend £50 to get free delivery, oooh it's a vicious circle it is!

[staffsMike]

Yeah amazon is weird. I think, if you go through the motions of finding things by navigating the certain areas like dvd or computer bits etc.. you get just amazon stuff. But if you just do a search it justs goes off and finds things from any old riff raff who charge £15 for delivery lol

[Stephen B]

if your laptop has bluetooth you could do away with the need for an awkward receiver, I use a Logitech one myself

have a look at the crumpler range of laptop bags and sleeves for something a bit different

[Parm]

The laptop does have built in bluetooth, but are bluetooth mice as good as the wireless ones? I don't use many bluetooth devices, but when I have done in the past I've found them troublesome at times.

I've had a look at the crumpler bags, I really like their sleeves but not so much their bags.

[capt sensible]

I recently (6 weeks ago) bought a Microsoft Wireless optical notebook mouse 4000. I like the fact that the USB key stores in the bottom of the mouse AND when you store is it turns off the battery. Negative points are the fact tht the mouse wheel is very "dumb" (just rotates, no "clicking") and believe it or not, it ISN'T Vista compatible - you have to download about 20MB of "update". The biggest drawback of Bluetooth mice is having to run the wireless services on the laptop, which can affect battery life - it's not too bad if you can just run bluetooth, but in my case it is all or nothing. With my previous laptop whose batteries were getting old and down to about 1 hour of use per charge, this mattered!

[CoolerMaster]

Notebook cooler - Coolermaster NotePal P1 Aluminum Note Book Cooler

[neonplanet40]

You should look at pakuma bags. They do the best laptop bags in my opinion. And not only that but when you get it it does feel like a quality bag, if that makes sense.

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