Essential Computer Accessories | PC Gift Guide

There are a lot of innovative and fun computer accessories but you need to know what is necessary and what you can do without.

For Desktop Computers

In the past – computers were merely for practical working purposes. Now days computers are entertaining multimedia centers that can indulge every part of your life.  With Logitechs Quick Cam - (from $99.99 at www.logitech.com) you can contact the people you care about from the comfort of your own home. This Web cam offers optics and high definition video.  It will as if they were sitting right across from you. In addition, the web cams Right Light 2 technology adjusts to compensate for dimly lit backgrounds, so you will not have to manually adjust the lighting. To spice up your conversations, you can use hundreds of avatars or create digital faces to express your mood and personality.

We all like to use are computers for playtime, but you also need accessories to help with your work.  A lot of companies are using paper-less unites to minimize environment impacts, conserve energy and to help save money.  Logitech constructs an optical mouse that can quickly scroll documents.  The LX7 Cordless Optical Mouse (from $39.99 at www.logitech.com) is efficient with its back and forward buttons, Tilt Wheel Plus Zoom and without a mouse cord that will not get in your way. The LX7s relaxed grip and diverse battery preservation options make this mouse a functioning buddy to help you with your computing navigation. 

Get jamming with a great set of as you study or watch your favorite You Tube Movie. Klipsch Groove Speakers (from $99.99 at www.klipsch.com) present you with sound that is life like. The two-speaker set has a fashionable and stylish design that blends well with any home or office setup. The speakers magnetic shield prevents obstruction when placed next to other electronics.  You can also listen to music privately with the Klipsch Groove Speaker headphone jack and has an auxiliary input for your television, ipod player, or DVD player.


For Laptops

Laptops have great multimedia components that allow you to enjoy all your music and videos where ever you go.  Although audio accessories can be limited because of the number of available USB Ports that laptops have, the Targus Universal Docking Station with Digital Audio ($99.99; www.targus.com), will give you enough USB ports to create your own home theater experience, it also has two additional USB ports that provide twice the power of standard USB ports. If you want to watch your favorite movie – just connect the laptop up to the Universal Docking Station, add other audio devices like a speaker system and then you will have surround sound quality audio.

You laptop can also be a reflection of your unique personality with a Laptop Skin (from $29.99 at www.skinit.com).  It is an alternative to the classic grey, sliver and now black motifs that is the standard design of all computers.  Skins allow you to customize the outside look with choices from categories such as sports, music, or video games, personal photographs of your pets, friends, or family. Scotch print graphics and the 3M Adhesive technology offer a durable cover that does not leave residue on your notebook after you remove the skin. This gives you the ability to change your Laptop Skin as your interests change.   Kinda like changing your computers screensaver or wallpaper.

Get organized and get a case for your notebook.  It not only is necessary for carrying your laptop and accessories, but it can protect your laptop from damage in case it is dropped or another accident happens. Wenger manufactures low cost cases, like the Impulse Computer Case (from $52.99 at www.wengerna.com) which also comfortable and trendy. Most of the 15.4 inch notebooks can fit into the case and velcro straps help secure your notebook.  There are added compartments to store a phone and ipod player.

For the Busy Body

The multi-tasker requires necessities that can keep up with their busy life-style. When at home, they should not have to sacrifice speed for quality. The HP Photosmart D7260 Printer (from $149.99 at www.hp.com) enables you print photos with up to 4,800 x 1,200 resolution dpi.  In addition, it prints documents, colorful charts, graphs and text files. The D7260 produces 34 ppm in black and 33 ppm in color - also prints webpages without cutting the edges off.  The Photosmart printer has builtin memory card slots that support Compact-Flash I and II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo, Multi Media Card, Secure Digital, Smart Media and xD-Picture.  It also comes with Photosmart Essential photo-editing software.

For The Student

Students on the go often need to a way to get to information from different locations and computers. Laptops are great for students.  However, if they do not want to carry a lot of stuff with them all over school, Best Buys 4GB USB 2.0 Micro Flash Drive (from $68.99 at www.bestbuy.com) is U3 smart enabled which allows you to store computer programs and data on the usb flash drive.  U3 technology means that the the flash drive comes pre-loaded with CruzerSync, that synchronizes emails, contacts, calendars, and other personal files and has Signup Shield for password protection.  Skype and Avast antivirus software is also part of U3.  4GB is a lot of portable data space that will allow you to store documents for class and photos.  A retractable USB connecter allows you to hook it on a key chain, bracelet or necklace so you can carry it anywhere.

For Her

Go in style with the elegant, classy Patent PVC Tote by Liz Claiborne (starting at $79.99 by www.bestbuy.com).  The tote is eye-catching and practical.  It provides a designer, red, padded removable laptop sleeve with handles in case you want to lessen the to carry. A good thing is that there are multiple interior pockets for other mobile devices, notepads, and personal effects.  The interior is roomy to fit legal-size documents, and has a center compartment with a zipper to help keep you organized in orderly fashion.