Close to getting a laptop, what else do I need

[mpcincal]

I'm close to getting one for the first time. I've pretty much know the parameters of what I want and I have narrowed down my choices to about three or four.

The main thing is what I should be getting as far as any accessories. I'm getting a mouse for it, and already have a case I can use for it, but is there anything else I should be sure to get. Specifically, I'm wondering if those "chill mats" I see advertised and on the computer shelves is a necessity. Any other suggestions welcome, too.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

When I'm out and see people on laptops in Panera Bread and other places, I don't see any chill mats under the laptops.


But I'd be interested to know if you really do need them as well.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

If you're actually going to use the laptop on your lap or some other soft surface that might impede the air flow, the mat might be valuable. On a hard surface you should be fine.

 

[slappy4428]

Why would you use a mouse? If you haven't used a laptop, it might take you a little bit to get used to the pad, but in a short time, it's second nature. I have a mouse for my laptop and just dont use it because I'm used to the pad.

 

[murphyc]

Why would you use a mouse? If you haven't used a laptop, it might take you a little bit to get used to the pad, but in a short time, it's second nature. I have a mouse for my laptop and just dont use it because I'm used to the pad.

I agree about the mouse. When I got my first laptop, I thought a mouse would be much easier than a pad. Really, the pad does become second nature in short time.
As far as the chill mat, I'd be interested. Some laptops, like my Dell Studio XPS 16, are known to run pretty warm. I use the computer on my lap quite a bit, and often find some paper to put on my lap due to the heat. Maybe I'll have to look into a chill mat. But with my old Dell the heat was no issue, so it depends on how warm your particular model gets.

 

[Beef03]

I would reccomend a back pack or bag designed for carrying it around, but I'm guessing that is probably on your list.

 

[imjustagirl]

I have a chill mat. I don't take it to events I'm covering, but I use it at home if it's going to be on my lap or on my couch.

 

[lisa_simpson]

One thing to keep in mind about the chill mat is the fact that unless it has an outside power source, it WILL drain your battery about twice as fast as normal.

 

[BB Bobcat]

Depending on where you are using it, you should look into getting a broadband card. The service can be pricey (like $60 a month), but it's a life saver at times you've got no wifi or the wifi doesn't work.

 

[Ace]

Why would you use a mouse? If you haven't used a laptop, it might take you a little bit to get used to the pad, but in a short time, it's second nature. I have a mouse for my laptop and just dont use it because I'm used to the pad.

I normally used a desktop so whenever I use a laptop I rest my hands wrong and delete my entire story or scroll to the wrong place or something. It's kind of annoying.

So I like a mouse but if I used a laptop exclusively, I'd go without.

 

[Boom_70]

Depending on where you are using it, you should look into getting a broadband card. The service can be pricey (like $60 a month), but it's a life saver at times you've got no wifi or the wifi doesn't work.

Some of new phones have a technology that allows you to create your own Wi Fi hot spot which seems like good cheaper alternative to broadband card.

As far as things to consider - think about insurance- Lap tops are the only purchases I get insurance for and it's paid off each time.

 

[Boom_70]

Why would you use a mouse? If you haven't used a laptop, it might take you a little bit to get used to the pad, but in a short time, it's second nature. I have a mouse for my laptop and just dont use it because I'm used to the pad.

I normally used a desktop so whenever I use a laptop I rest my hands wrong and delete my entire story or scroll to the wrong place or something. It's kind of annoying.

So I like a mouse but if I used a laptop exclusively, I'd go without.

I don't always use a lap top, but when I do, I prefer a mouse. Keep clicking, my friends.

 

[bydesign77]

I have a chill mat. I don't take it to events I'm covering, but I use it at home if it's going to be on my lap or on my couch.

This explains so much

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

When I'm out and see people on laptops in Panera Bread and other places, I don't see any chill mats under the laptops.


But I'd be interested to know if you really do need them as well.

Knocks 20 degrees F off my laptop's processor core temperature ... and heat is the enemy of silicon processors. When my laptop is on my desk I always use it but not when I'm out and about. It's noisy, though ... more so than a desktop PC's cooling fans.

If you're actually going to use the laptop on your lap or some other soft surface that might impede the air flow, the mat might be valuable. On a hard surface you should be fine.

Not so much. On most laptops, the air intake grilles are on the bottom of the chassis, so if your laptop's flat on that hard surface your air intakes are covered. If it can't breathe, it runs hotter. When I'm out and about with my laptop, I try to make sure its corners under the screen are raised up slightly to let outside air into the bottom (the black plastic caps from Powerade bottles make great "laptop feet").

Why would you use a mouse? If you haven't used a laptop, it might take you a little bit to get used to the pad, but in a short time, it's second nature. I have a mouse for my laptop and just dont use it because I'm used to the pad.

Depends on how you use it. I have my desk set up with a kludged-together docking station so my laptop's screen is on at eye level (using this monitor stand to hold the laptop); obviously, that puts both the keyboard and the touchpad out of reach, so I have a Bluetooth keyboard¹ and mouse² for "docked" use. The mouse comes with me, though. It's just easier than the touchpad and is nicer ergonomically.

Completely random laptop and web browser note: I don't have any empirical testing data to back this up, but Google's Chrome web browser makes my laptop run a lot hotter than Firefox does and hits its hardware (disk, memory, processors) much more. There's a software architecture reason for that which I won't bore y'all with, but the result is that Google Chrome will (I suspect) guzzle laptop battery power faster than Firefox. Your mileage may very with the usual variable conditions.
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¹Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000. Very nice. Much nicer than their software, in fact.
²It's from Targus and it eats battery power. Fortunately it comes with rechargeable AAA batteries and a USB cord to recharge as needed.