(ABC 6 News) – Students are heading back to school in the next few weeks and while they may have most of their school supplies, if they use a laptop, they’ll need a few gadgets you may not have thought
about.

College students in particular need several computer accessories for their apartment or dorm
room. I’d suggest anyone who works remotely with a laptop as their primary computer could use
some gadgets to make work more comfortable and convenient.

Laptops have become more streamlined than ever before, often sacrificing ports for a sleek
design. This can pose a challenge for students who need to connect various devices. These
essential gadgets not only make laptops more powerful but more efficient.

• External Hub: An external hub is a must-have to expand your laptop’s connectivity. They plug into just one port on the computer to add capabilities for more devices. Look for one that offers multiple USB ports, SD and microSD card slots, and an HDMI port for connecting to external displays. These are small enough to toss in a backpack for moments when they might need to connect more than one accessory.
• Portable DVD/CD Drive: Remember when all computers had a CD/DVD drive? Optical disc drives went away when manufacturers decided to make all of their laptops thinner and lighter. These are still useful for watching movies or accessing files on discs. University libraries may offer content only available on DVD or CDs.
• Flash Drive: A flash drive is perfect for transferring files between computers. Opt for a password-protected one to keep your data secure and make sure it can connect to the computer you use through a standard USB or USB-C port. Portable hard drives hold more data, and some are slightly larger than a credit card.
• Power Strip Surge Protector: Dorms and apartments often lack a sufficient number of outlets. A power strip with surge protection and built-in USB ports can be a lifesaver. Look for power strips with built-in USB ports and multiple outlets. Check out the latest strips that come in different shapes and sizes. If they’ll be plugging in a TV or laptop, make sure it’s a surge protector if the school allows it.
• Laptop Stand: Elevate your laptop to eye level with a laptop stand to prevent neck and back strain during long study sessions. These make a huge difference in those multi-hour study and work sessions as well as when talking over Zoom or Facetime as they bring the camera to eye level. Most laptop stands are portable enough to carry in a backpack, but I find they’re best used when left on the desk back in their room.
• External Keyboard: Pair your laptop stand with a comfortable external keyboard for a more ergonomic setup. Consider a Bluetooth keyboard that can connect to multiple devices. Logitech has a good variety of Bluetooth keyboards at reasonable prices.
• External Mouse: If they’ll be using a laptop stand and portable keyboard, they’ll also need an external mouse, so they won’t have to type on an elevated keyboard. These are very affordable now (some under $20).

These accessories will enhance the laptop experience and make college life more convenient
and productive. They’re great for anyone who’s primary computer is a laptop and they’re all
under $50.