The monitor connects to your laptop via a USB 3.0 port. It adds a full 1080p HD display (1920×1080 resolution) that tilts, swivels and rotates between landscape and portrait modes. It adds a pair of USB 3.0 ports for a fast external hard drive or two and another pair of USB 2.0 ports for other accessories like a mouse, a full-size desktop style keyboard or your digital camera.

The HP 2311c comes with a 720p HD webcam. You get Cyberlink’s YouCam webcam software and HP MyRoom business conferencing software, which also lets you share your desktop with people through the Net.

Below you’ll find HP’s demo video:

I’d like to know whether the connection to your laptop would work on a USB 2.0 notebook for those of us stuck on notebooks without USB 3.0 ports yet. I love the idea, but don’t want to buy a new computer just to use it with this display. I also wish it had an HDMI input so it could double as an HD TV when not connected to a computer.

HP threw in an Ethernet port, a VGA port for when you need to hook up a desktop computer or a second PC. The HP Smart AC adapter lets you also charge your HP laptop through the monitor. With an audio in/mic and a headphone/line out port you can hook up a set of speakers or headphones and a mic.

This looks like a nice solution. If the display quality measures up and the price is right, I think HP will have a hit with the 2311c.

HP says its “coming soon” and doesn’t have a price listed on their website. Their traditional 23″ HP 2311gt monitor without the docking station costs $269.99 directly from HP and most USB docking stations cost around $100, so you can bet it will cost close to $400 at least when it finally comes out.

Hp Crams a USB 3.0 Docking Station into the HP L2311c Monitor (Video) is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

How It Works

The TechSafe Cable Lock has dial number combination locking system, like those you find on bike locks, connected to a very heavy steel cable that they coated with a hard rubber to make it smooth. You feed the cable around something heavy like a large table leg and fish the locking mechanism through a large eye at the end opposite the cable lock. The system comes with three metal clamps that you feed between the laptop’s lid and body.

The lock fastens to the clamp when you push the button to reveal a hook that grabs the end of the clamp as it protrudes from the back of the laptop. Release the button and the lock pulls the hook attached to the clamp inside the large metal lock.

Scramble the combination to set the lock.

Griffin TechSafe Cable Lock hooked up to MacBook Pro

I often use my computer at an Atlanta Break Company nearby. I’m nervous about leaving my computer to use the restroom or to get up and grab a refill of my Diet Pepsi. I also hate having to pack everything up just for a quick pitstop. The TechSafe Cable Lock would make a thief think twice before trying to steal your laptop.

No cable lock or Kensington lock will keep a determined thief with enough time and opportunity from stealing a laptop. But a device like the TechSafe Cable Lock will make them think twice and delay them enough to protect your computer.

Video Review

Not Universal Enough

The system seems to work well with those computers that are compatible. The cable won’t be cut easily. The lock system feels sturdy enough to do its job. My son claims to have seen a YouTube video on how to crack the combination on a lock like this. The good news I tried his system and it didn’t work! +1 for Griffin!

Unfortunately, as I said above, the TechSafe Cable Lock doesn’t work with two of the three laptops I tested it on. The company’s description makes it clear that the system won’t work with a MacBook Air. However, they list almost every other manufacturer saying:

The TechSafe cable lock fits a wide variety of PC laptops and netbooks, from Dell, Acer, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, Asus, Sony and more. It’s also compatible with Apple’s most recent additions to the MacBook and MacBook Pro lineup.

It lists Toshiba, but I know that the Toshiba Satellite L745 I tested it with didn’t work. You can see that in the video review above. The reason? The gap between the lid and body of the computer is too wide for the metal clamp to stay in place if a thief grabs it and pulls even slightly. You will have to test it out on your system. Look at the gap between the lid and body. If yours is wide, find another solution or don’t leave your computer unattended, which is actually good advice no matter what.

If you have a MacBook or MacBook Pro I can assure you this will work and work well. It may be compatible with other computers that have a narrow space between the lid and body.

Cost and an Optional Accessory

The Griffin TechSafe Cable Lock costs $29.99 directly from Griffin. If you find that it will work with your system, then you might also want to try out the TechSafe Locking Security Clamp, which clamps to a table and has a place where you can run the cable from the Cable Lock to secure it. It costs $19.99, but is currently out of stock from Griffin.

Pros

• Strong lock
• Cable too think to cut
• Works with computers that don’t have Kensington Lock
• Can’t easily be “cracked” like some bike locks can
• Good price

Cons

• Not compatible with MacBook Air
• Computers with wide gap between lid and body are incompatible

Griffin’s TechSafe Cable Lock: Not Universal, But Certainly Secure is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Razer explains that the 10 drives will give you all seven directions. This begins with two speakers, one in each ear, representing the center channel. Then you get a left and a right speaker. There is the surround left and surround right plus the left and right surround back speakers. Finally there are two subwoofer speakers in each ear for a total of ten.

The user will be able to control and fine tune the experience much like you would with your stereo system, raising and lowering the volume of each channel to make it sound just like you want it to. The control unit connects to the wire in-line. The headphones also contain a noise cancelling microphone so you can talk to your victims as you shoot them up in a game. Razer didn’t say whether the set plugs in via USB or another connection.

Whether these will truly provide an immersive surround sound experience remains to be seen sometime after October of this year. I’m guessing you will see these in time for the important holiday buying season beginning mid-November.

In addition to the 7.1 system, they are offering another simple stereo headset by the same name – the Razer Tiamat 2.2 Stereo Headphones. This set will have two main speakers and two bass speakers, one of each in each ear.

The 7.1 set will cost $179.99 and the 2.2 set will cost $99.99 available later this year.

Razer Tiamat To Be First 7.1 Surround Sound Headphones is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Already earlier this year, we listed ten great cases for the Air. But with the release of some new cases, it’s worth coming back to the subject. Here are four new cases or bags that we think are worth your attention, and one repeat recommendation that we still love that survives from the previous list.

In David Letterman fashion let me count them down, starting with a nice sleeve and ending with my favorite.

5. Zagg Invisible Shield Sleeve for MacBook Air – $54.99

Zagg is mostly known for protecting screens with their thin film that stands up to the punishment you can get from keys in a pocket. Or even rocks, if you drop your phone. They also make a shield for the MacBook Air that will protect your aluminum case. The company promises that the Invisible Shield keeps finger prints off your computer, although I’ve not had too much problems with fingerprints on mine. I hate any accessory in my bag that rubs against, and then scratches, the soft aluminum Apple uses. Zagg’s shield will protect the computer and make it look like you don’t even have anything around it.

Zagg offers a guarantee: they will replace the shield if you ever damage it. That way you don’t need to worry about messing up the shield.

4. Incase Perforated Hardshell Case – $59.95

The Incase Perforated Hardshell Case for the 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air should meet your standards for a quality case that will protect the MacBook Air without adding a lot of weight. The hardshell case offers great protection. The case feels nice, with a smooth coated plastic. The cutouts give access to all the ports and connectors. The bottom of the case raises the Air slightly, giving it plenty of ventilation since the Air’s aluminum can get a little warm when running under a strain.

I like the look of this case. Incase offers similar cases for all of Apple’s products. This one costs $59.95. You can choose between black, white and purple.

3. Knomo MacBook Air Envelope – $75.95

The Knomo Envelope will appeal to business users or others who just like things that have a high quality look and feel. Designed only for the 11″ MacBook Air, the case protects your computer with a soft genuine leather and soft black velvet lining. The Flap snaps closed. Each case has a unique ID number to help you find your computer if stolen.

The case comes in black for $75.95 direct from the company or from your Apple Store. They also sell cases for other sizes and even other manufacturers. The lady’s bags look really nice, but I wanted to keep this unisex.

2. The Cartella for MacBook Air by Pad & Quill – $79.99 or $89.99

If you want your MacBook Air to look like a book instead of a MacBook, The Cartella does the job. Made for both the 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air and iPad, on the outside the case looks like a book. An elastic band around the case holds it closed to keep your computer in the case. Layers of Baltic Birch wood hug your computer on the inside. Pad & Quill trimmed the case in three colors – red, green and blue on the inside flap and under the computer. On the inside of the cover a pocket holds a few papers.

Here is my video review.

Pad & Quill calls this a bookbindery case. It reminds me of a huge ledger that you might see in a 19th century London accountant’s office. I can imagine Bob Cratchet using books like this. If you want a somewhat unique case, The Cartella will grab attention while protecting your case from scratches and dings.

The company updated the design since my review with rounded corners and a tougher quality interior cloth. Pad & Quill discounted the cases $10 bringing the price for he 11″ to $79.99 and the 13″ to $89.99.

1. MacBook Air Travel Express Case from Waterfield Designs – $79 or $89

Waterfield Designs cases have a special feel and look to them. The rugged ballistic nylon used to make them not only keeps your precious MacBook Air safe, but also looks nice. They remind me of cases that an incredibly talented seamstress might make for your computer if you commissioned her.

Waterfield Designs released the MacBook Air Travel Express Case when the new Air came out. Inside the soft lining keeps your Air and accessories from scratches. The case can be used with just the Air, or it can house accessories in a number of pockets. You have room for a phone, a thin mouse like the Apple Magic Mouse, your charger and other items. Apple’s external Super Drive will fit as well. The zipper opens along both the long and short edge to open very wide.

The model they sent me for testing had rings and a strap to use the case as a shoulder bag. You can get it without the strap, but I like to carry around my Air hands free over my shoulder. My iPad 2 fits in the the case with my Air, but it is a tight fit and would not work if I had a lot of accessories.

The case comes in a black nylon with a colorful accent stripe. They offer black, copper, flame, green, pearl and pine. The 11″ starts at $79 and add $10 for the 13″. If you have your own shoulder strap but need rings sewn into the case add $5. Add $12 for a simple strap and $22 for a cushioned strap.

Five Awesome MacBook Air Cases is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

You can add a little more storage to your netbook or older notebook without a lot of expense, or the difficulty of cracking open the case to do a hard drive upgrade like the one we performed on a MacBook Pro recently. Although a fairly simple upgrade, most will not go through that trouble or expense to gain storage. For anyone not willing to upgrade, Verbatim’s small drive can remain plugged into their notebook, just like the tiny USB nano receivers that come with some mice.

Verbatim Dime-Sized Store N Stay USB Drive Meant to Stay Put is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Design and Comfort

The Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 is a small mouse designed to not take up too much room in a computer bag. It is small enough that you could just carry it in your pocket if you keep your notebook in a sleeve instead of a computer bag. Unfortunately, because of the size, it is not the most comfortable or accurate mouse to use.

The two top buttons are shaped so that your fingers rest nicely on them. However, the length of the mouse from the front to the back means that you cannot really rest your hand on the mouse while using it unless you have very small hands. I found myself having to grip the mouse between my thumb and ring finger to move it around. This is fine for short mousing stints. After more than fifteen to twenty minutes I found myself subconsciously using the trackpad on my MacBook Pro or MacBook Air instead of reaching  for the mouse.

The weight of the mouse is also a problem. For precision mousing a heavy mouse makes it hard to move to just the right spot. A light mouse makes it too easy to accidentally mouse past the button you want to click or the edge of the window you want to drag. This mouse is just too light. You can fix this by adjusting the speed of the cursor in the settings of the computer, but that slows things down too much the rest of the time. I like my cursor to dart across the screen. A properly weighted mouse makes this possible while still hitting the target.

Buttons and Features

This mouse has the basic right and left click buttons, but there is also a side button the left side that your thumb can hit. It is a back button for use in a browser or in Windows it goes back in your Windows Explorer history. This function is unavailable in Mac OS X Finder windows. The button is also easy to accidentally click while mousing.

Because there is only one side button, it would be a little awkward for left-handed users. Ultimately the mouse would be better if there was a button on both sides.

The scroll wheel works well and is not too stiff or loose. We prefer a smooth scrolling wheel, but for a clicking scroll wheel it is not bad. The wheel can also serve as another button. The problem is, without a supported software driver it cannot be configured. On a Mac there is no special driver. The Microsoft web site has a link to a special Mac driver but the link leads to a Japanese language site with a “not found” 404 error page.

The Windows software is adequate and can be used to configure the buttons. We turned off the thumb button and made the scroll wheel also behave as a double click button. You cannot do this on Mac.

The mouse has an indicator light which will glow red when the batteries are drained. It will flash green and red when the mouse is ready to be paired with your Bluetooth enabled computer. It turns off when it is connected.

If you don’t have Bluetooth on your computer, then you will have to either buy a USB Bluetooth dongle or find a different mouse. Microsoft doesn’t provide a USB dongle with this mouse.

The mouse can be turned off via the switch on the bottom to save battery life. The pairing button is also on the bottom.

Pricing

The retail price is $49.99, but you can find this mouse much cheaper if you search around the web. We bought ours from an Amazon third-party seller for under $20. At that price it is a pretty good deal, if you are going to be using it only occasionally. For $50 it is overpriced and we cannot recommend it. If you spend that much, add a little more and get the great Razer Orochi. Logitech’s v470 Bluetooth mouse is also a better deal for under $40.

Conclusion

If money is no object, get the Razer Orochi as we recommended above. If you are on a tighter budget go with Logitech’s v470. The only reason to choose the Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 is you have really small hands or just really prefer Microsoft branded hardware and want to stay consistent. The other two mice mentioned above are so much better that we cannot recommend the Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000.

Pros

• Takes little room in a bag or your pocket
• Good scrolling wheel
• Connects well to Bluetooth

Cons

• Uncomfortable
• Not suitable for left-handed people
• Too light for precision mousing

Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 Offers Basics [Review] is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Mouse Look and Build

The Logitech V470 is not as cool looking as the Razer and it is also not as good for gaming. What it does have is the right size and feel for a traditional mobile mouse. The striking blue color might clash with some notebooks, but it looks fine next to our Apple MacBooks or the Acer Aspire One 7552G we just reviewed.

The mouse is comfortable and has the weight is okay. We wish it was slightly heavier for more precise pointing. Despite the weight, It is almost as accurate as our favorite Razer Orochi when pointing.Thanks to the Bluetooth radio inside there is no need for a USB receiver if you have Bluetooth built into your notebook, which most do these days.

The included pouch was quickly discarded. If you want to protect the mouse, the pouch is useful for that, but we usually just put these included pouches on the desk at home and throw the mouse in the computer bag by itself. The mouse feels sturdy enough that we don’t have to worry about it being broken in our bag from impact from other devices or our computer.

Functionality

The wheel is a clicking scroll wheel and button. We prefer smooth scrolling wheels, however. Despite that fact it doesn’t click so hard while scrolling that it took a long time to scroll down a long page to the end. Smooth scrolling wheels are faster. The wheel also scrolls side-to-side for those documents or web pages that are too wide for your display.

Battery Life

The On/Off switch on the bottom helps preserve battery life when not in use. We’ve used the mouse for over a month now without having to change batteries. So that doesn’t seem to be a problem. It takes 2 AA batteries, which are provided and fit in the mouse through the slide off hatch on the bottom.

Set up is simple. Install the driver software (Mac and Windows compatible) and pair the mouse using the OS Bluetooth interface after pushing the Connect button on the bottom of the mouse for a few seconds. The mouse pairs withe the computer quickly and stays connected most of the time. We did have a problem reconnecting the mouse a couple of times, but that was solved by repeating the pairing process which worked every time.

Driver Software

The driver software lets you configure the two buttons as well as the button integrated into the scrolling wheel. It also lets you set the mousing sensitivity.

Value

The V470 is a very nice inexpensive Bluetooth mouse. While we still think the Razer is the best Bluetooth mouse for mobile computing, the price alone makes the Logitech V470 a close second. For non-gaming mobile computing on a tighter budget the Logitech V470 is the best choice.

Pros:

• Good size and feel
• Comfortable
• Good weight
• Accurate pointing
• Setup is simple
• Good price
• Good battery life

Cons:

• Ordinary looking
• Blue might clash with some notebooks
• Clicking scroll wheel instead of smooth wheel
• Restarting computer forced us to re-pair the mouse sometimes

Logitech V470 Still a Great Bluetooth Laser Mouse is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Size and Weight

For gaming or just general use, the size and weight of a mouse is important. Too small and your hands are uncomfortable. Too large and it is hard to carry around in your computer bag. Too heavy or light and it is hard to get precise movement. The Razer Orochi is great on all counts. With my large hands it is hard to find a mobile mouse that fits well. This one has a nice shape and feels good in your hand even after long use. It is also ambidextrous so lefties aren’t left out.

Functions

I’m a man of simple needs when it comes to mice. I like three buttons and a scroll wheel. The wheel on the Razer Orochi is a button wheel that also clicks as you scroll. It is functional as a third button. If you like thumb buttons, this one has four of them with two on each side and they are customizable. To put the mouse into Bluetooth paring mode so it can be connected to a PC, just hold down all four of the side buttons at once till it shows up in the computer’s Bluetooth devices list.

I prefer smooth scrolling wheels in my mice, but I’ve gotten used to the clicking wheel on this mouse. It is perfect for scrolling through documents and long web pages. For gaming, a clicking wheel is actually better so you can precisely switch between weapons or whatever you are switching via the wheel in your game of choice.

Look

You will either love or hate this mouse’s looks. It is all black with a rubberized feel on the top. The Razer logo is barely noticeable where your palm rests, but it is there if you like it. It has both sharp corners on the front and smooth curves  on the sides and back where your palm touches it. The front scroll wheel reminds me of the Batmobile in the latest Batman movies. Not sure why, but it does. The Razer Orochi has a very industrial design and look that will appeal to gamers. Razer’s mice are distinctive.

If you want a boring looking business mouse, look elsewhere. I love the mouse and when I showed it to my teenage sons they simultaneously gave me that satisfied look and said, “Cool!” With all that said, the thing collects dust more than any mouse I’ve ever used. Not sure what it is, but it begins to look gross and I am forever trying to clean it. There are so many nooks and crevices for gunk to get stuck in. Compressed air helps, but who wants to keep cleaning their mouse. My basement, where I use it a lot, is dustier than usual environments. The Razer collects more dirt and dust than other mice in the same environment.

Connectivity

If a gaming mouse doesn’t work smoothly, it is useless. Bluetooth inherently has troubles with connections, which is likely why we don’t see more Bluetooth mice and also why we are now seeing a Wi-Fi mouse from HP. However, I’ve had almost no problems with the Razer Orochi dropping its connection. After initial installation through the included USB cable, you reconnect it by turning the on/off switch on the bottom to the on position. Pair it with your computer by holding down all four side buttons, as we said earlier, and you are ready. Turn it off to store it and then turn it back on to reconnect. Just start moving the mouse and after a second or two it will be recognized every time.

Even if you do have problems with it dropping connections or not behaving smoothly during games, it comes with a USB cable that will connect it to the computer so you can run tethered when you absolutely must have a connection during frag sessions or million dollar business presentations. To configure the mouse’s functions you will have to hook it up via USB to get it to configure correctly in the driver software. After that you can run it via the USB connection or via Bluetooth. Notice below how the USB cable is rounded on the top to fit the contour of the scroll wheel.

Battery Life

I’ve had this mouse for two months and have yet to change the batteries. Enough said!

Well let’s say a couple more things. The mouse runs on two AA batteries and comes with Energizer batteries. I haven’t swapped them out yet. They are installed under the lid which pops off by prying it off using the slot on the back of the mouse.

Driver Software

The driver software is very good. There are a lot of features especially for gamers. To configure the mouse, connect it to the computer via the USB cord. Set all the settings to your liking. It will update the memory of the mouse and save it so that you can use it with the settings even when it is not connected via USB.

You will notice the sliders along the left of the image above. This sets the sensitivy of the mouse to make it more or less precise. This can be adjusted on the fly using the default function of the two right side buttons. Also notice that I configured the scroll wheel to also behave as a double-click button. You can choose from many options by changing the drop down list for each button.

There is also an option to turn on or off the scroll wheel light. I turned mine on, but I am guess this will eat away at the battery faster so I am planning to turn it off soon.

Razer Orochi Bluetooth Gaming Mouse Video Review

Value

The Razer Orochi Bluetooth Gaming Mouse is a top of the line mouse that is comfortable and works great. I absolutely love this mouse. It is the best mobile mouse I’ve ever used and one of the mice of any category. At $79.99 you may balk because that is a lot for a mobile mouse. But Amazon has it for about $15 less. Trust me. At either price it is worth it. It is so good that we are going to include it in our Father’s Day Gift guide coming soon, and I am tempted to get a second one so I can leave one on my desk and carry one in my computer bag.

Pros

• Perfect size/weight
• Feels good in the hand
• Looks cool
• Consistent Bluetooth connectivity
• Feature rich driver software for both Mac and Windows
• Fits both left and right-handed people
• Long battery life
• Clicking scroll wheel is just the right tension for both gaming and office scrolling
• Accurate mousing

Cons

• Collects dust and dirt in the many crevices worse than most mice

Gallery

Razer Orochi Bluetooth Gaming Mouse Review: Close to Perfect is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Inside the sleeve, the computer can be carried with or without another computer bag. Either way it will be snuggly protected from even the worst of drops. To prove this, you can view the results of their test dropping a MacBook Pro off a twenty-foot porch while inside the sleeve.

They’ve also dropped a bowling ball onto an iPad and dropped an iPad out of a tiny plane with similar results.

Here is the plane video:

Here is the bowling ball video:

How does this work? If they told us that, then others would steal their technology and copy it. But the point is that material is not only soft but has a special cushioning characteristic that stiffens and absorbs all the impact protecting whatever is inside. This is perfect for those using a compute or iPad in extreme situations.

These will set you back a pretty penny. The laptop version 11″ sleeve is $69.95 and the 13″ and 15″ are $79.95. For the iPad sleeve you will pay $59.95.

G-Form Extreme Sleeve Protects Notebook from 20-foot Drop [Video] is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

A Nice Day at the Office

Must Have Notebook Accessories:

Available for Tablets, Notebooks and Gadgets

Antiglare Screen Protector: One of the biggest challenges with working outdoors is the lighting. Most consumer notebooks come with incredibly glossy screens that make it difficult to work in the sunlight. If you aren’t fortunate enough to have a work notebook hat has an anti-glare display, you can get one to fit your screen from NuShield. We have been testing one, and it does make reading your notebook easier in outdoor conditions.  We’ll have a full NuShield review up soon, but our first impressions are positive. You can also get these screen covers for your various other gadgets. You can save 10% with the coupon code KPR%10.

Good Backpack: If you’re going to be out of the office, a good backpack is a must. While I have always been a carry it all type, it’s interesting to see a friend come over to the carry it with me side, after he upgraded to a proper backpack when his doctor told him that a sling backpack could be causing some health issues. Look for padded straps and a very good notebook compartment. Specifically, find one that has padding along the sides and bottom. Many notebook bags skimp on padding on the bottom, which can lead to cracked notebook casings. We like Mobile Edge, Booq, Tom Bihn and Level 8.

MiFi or USB Modem: If you plan to work from the park, you’ll probably need an Internet connection. We recommend picking up a MiFi or USB modem, but you could also use your phone as a hotspot. Keep in mind that battery life can be an issue with the MiFi and phone as a hotspot routes so you’ll want to keep a cable nearby. If you are an occasional work outside kind of person, you may want to look at Virgin Mobile’s MiFi and USB modems which don’t require a contract. You can also get a MiFi or USB modem for less than $50 from your favorite cell phone carrier with a 2 year contract; plans typically start around $30-$40 a month.

Wrapsol gadget protection prevents scratches

Protection for your Gear: If you are going to be outside for a long time with your notebook, iPad or other gadgets, you may want to look into a protective film like those from Zagg, Wrapsol and Gelaskins. These gadget covers and wraps keep your items looking like new and make it easy to wipe off any dirt you pick up while working outdoors.

AViiQ Notebook Stand

Notebook Stand: If you are working away on a picnic table, you’ll probably want a notebook stand to give your notebook a better typing angle. We really like the AViiQ because it folds down practically flat and weighs next to nothing, but if the price is too high you can find other options like the Belkin Laptop Cooling Pad which has a built in USB powered fan. Check out our AViiQ review for more details.

Backup Battery: While the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro may last all day in optimal settings, they, like many Windows notebooks won’t last a full day with the screen set to maximum brightness outdoors. We suggest getting a secondary Notebook battery. For most notebooks, you can get one right from the manufacturer. For Apple, you need a solution like the HyperMac external Mac battery.

Remote Access: To appear like you are in the office, we recommend a tool like LogMeIn to connect to a computer back in the office or to ask for VPN access so that your computer thinks it is still on your corporate network. A VPN allows you to run programs that need to be on the network from any internet connection. Your IT department would usually need to set this up for you.

Versatile Mouse: Unless you have a MacBook, you probably don’t want to use a mousepad all day long. Instead, look for a mouse like the Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX which can mouse on pretty much any surface or the small SwiftPoint Mouse that mouses right on your notebook palmrest. Check out our SwiftPoint Mouse Review.

Laptop Lock: While you won’t use this all of the time, a Laptop Lock is a nice accessory to have in your notebook bag for occasions when you want to walk around your work area or if you need to walk over to a pop machine in the park. There are plenty of options at your local Best Buy or Staples.

Laptop Shade: If an anti glare screen protector is out, try the Laptop Sun Shade which gives you a focused sun free work area without the need for a giant hooded sweatshirt. This may not be as elegant as the screen protector, but could be a must have if you don’t want others looking over to your screen.

Keyboard Skin: When you work outdoors there’s a chance that all types of things will fall into the keyboard cracks on your machine form a raindrop to a dead bug or a crunched up leaf. Keep your notebook keyboard tidy with a keyboard cover like iSkin keyboard covers. Sony also makes silicon keyboard covers for VAIO models and you can Google your notebook model and silicone Keyboard cover to find one that fits your notebook.

USB Cooler: If you’re working in the sun all day, you need a nice cool beverage to keep you going. Why not pick up this USB powered drink chiller which will keep your iced tea nice and cool while you work and soak up the rays.

11 Must Have Outdoor Notebook and Laptop Accessories is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.