Computer Accessories

With the temperature warming up outside, companies are introducing products to help keep you (and your computer) cool. The latest is the CushDesk from Belkin. This stable "work space" keeps your legs cool when you're busy plugging away on a laptop.

The CushDesk features a molded top with a smooth and sturdy surface, and is designed with a slight angle so you can view your laptop at a comfortable angle.

The CushDesk sells for $29.99 and comes in the following colors: pitch black/soft gray, espresso/fuchsia, pitch black/pitch black, pitch black/dark sky. It is compatible with PC and Mac laptops featuring up to a 17-inch display.

If you are like some people I know (no, I am not naming names), you want to actually BE a Guitar Hero rather than just play the video game. Well...now you can do just that with the VOX JamVOX. The JamVOX is a desktop speaker/software combo that you plug into your computer and a guitar (or microphone, if singing is your thing). Then, import any MP3 and the software allows you to remove the guitar part, so that YOU are the one jamming along with your favorite artists. (Yes, vocalists, you can remove the vocals as well). Simulations of famous guitar amps and effects are also included that nail signature sounds of your favorite artists, but you're the one that's playing! Pretty cool!

The JamVOX is now available with an MSRP of $340…but I found it much cheaper ($250) at Best Buy.

For more info visit www.myjamvox.com.Read more

When I play card games I might expose my cards, and when someone looks I call them, "a cheater." Are they really cheaters, or are they naturally doing what their brain wants to do – look at the cards?! When you walk into an establishment with media screens delivering impressions, you naturally look, and advertisers pay BIG money for those impressions. What about coffee shop patrons and their computers? You want to look at their screen because it is natural to look at the screen. It is hard for me to not look at the computer screen of the person sitting next to, or near me on an airplane.

3M knows this, and they have spent significant time and money to bring you the 3M Notebook Privacy Filters. The sizes range from 12.1" wide to 17.0" wide diagonal screens. The Privacy Filter from 3M has a dual purpose… it literally protects your computer screen and it protects the information the screen displays. Watch the video to see the protector in action.

Here is where you get started… www.3mskins.com.

Prices vary based on computer size, and product type (ie, Apple Laptop, PC Notebook, Mobile Phone, etc.). Is your privacy worth a few dollars? Create a custom skin for your computer too!

Keep your laptop cool with the ThermaPAK HeatShift laptop cooler and save some money in the process! With ThermaPAK's Be Green Be Cool campaign and their HeatShift upgrade program, when you trade in your old laptop cooler, ThermaPAK will not only recycle your old laptop cooler, they'll give you 50% off of their new HeatShift laptop cooler. Simply visit www.ThermaPAK.com for the address to send your old laptop cooling device, pick the size and color you want, and a new HeatShift pad will be on its way to you.

The HeatShift laptop cooler uses organic cooling crystals to cool off your laptop and requires no power and no refrigeration. The people at ThermaPAK say it lowers the temperature of your laptop by more than nine degrees Fahrenheit.

The HeatShift by ThermaPAK comes in 13", 15" and 17" sizes in Black, White, and Pink. Pricing is $27.99, $29.99 and $34.99. More sizes and styles to be announced through 2009. For even more savings, ThermaPAK is offering 10% off your entire order through May 15th, 2009 by using coupon code CPNCC1 at www.ThermaPAK.com.

Stay connected on the go with the brand new 3G webConnect USB Laptop Stick from T-Mobile. Enjoy seamless connectivity to the internet on the move via Wi-Fi or T-Mobile's 3G wireless broadband service, which includes 10,000 + convenient locations across the U.S. in the T-Mobile HotSpot Network.

The webConnect USB Laptop Stick is compatible with worldwide broadband networks, which helps international travelers stay connected. The built-in Connection Manager software in the webConnect USB Laptop Stick automatically finds the available internet connection. Its 8 GB memory accommodates files, music, documents and acts as a USB memory stick.

Pricing options available are: $49.99 with a two-year contract (after rebate); $99.99 with one-year contract; or $249.99 with no contract. Service is priced at $60/month for 5GB, anything additional is going to run $0.20 per MB.

Kena Kai just introduced environment friendly FELTtech sleeves to protect your laptops and also our earth. These laptops sleeves are completely eco-friendly as they are made from 100% recycled PET bottles and containers. The FELTtech sleeves have 4MM of cushioned protection and thus acts as a lightweight sleeve to the computer. The Zipper enabled opening and wide easy-access acts as a second skin to the computer.

These computer sleeves not only look good, but provide a sense of confidence in your daily effort to keep plastics out of landfills.

The FELTtech eco-friendly sleeves will be available in 3 different sizes for Netbook, 13.3" and 15.4". The sleeves come with four attractive color combinations; purple/grey, orange/chocolate, grey/turquoise and turquoise/grey.

The FELTtech sleeves are priced from $30 to $40 and will be available on Earth Day, April 22nd, at all retailers.

Using your laptop for hours on end can get uncomfortable, not to mention make your laptop hot. Logitech just announced two new products to help you with this problem – the Cooling Pad N100 and Notebook Riser N110.

The Logitech Cooling Pad N100 improves the airflow around your laptop. The slotted surface allows the USB-powered fan to distribute air more evenly than other cooling pads. By using a rear air intake to generate air, it also solves the problem of loose clothing that can sometimes block the airflow. The N100 connects via USB and uses minimal battery power. The N100 is expected to be available in the U.S. in March and Europe in April for a suggested retail price of $29.99.Read more

There’s no doubt about it, netbooks have become one of the most popular computer devices to hit the market in quite some time. But what about accessories for it? Targus has met that need with the introduction of their new Netbook Accessory Kit. Available at Targus.com and other retailers, the kit includes a 10.2” Slipskin Peel Netbook Case, Ultra Mini Retractable Optical Mouse, and Ultra Mini-USB 2.0 4-Port Hub. It is available for an MSRP of $39.99.

Targus plans to release additional netbook accessory options as netbooks continue to gain popularity. Read more