'Power up' for laptops

The following accessories and add-ons will make your old laptop more powerful and useful with new functions and features.

Watch live TV from anywhere

At the airport or train station, you don't need a TV, you can still get all the TV news with Sling Media Slingbox. The Slingbox will connect between TV and PC connected to the Internet. Therefore, all TV channels broadcast on TV will be transferred to the computer, so you can rest easy and go without fear of missing important information.

Sling Media Slingbox includes a miniature receiver and an A / V decoder chip with Ethernet port. Slingbox will directly convert video and audio signals to MPEG video format and send that data over the Internet to an Internet-connected computer. As a result, this system allows users to remotely control other AV devices, such as a DVR digital video recorder.

Never run out of battery

The AC adapter plugs sold with laptops are often 'narrowed', allowing you to charge your laptop only and only when plugged into wall plugs. Some new products have overcome this 'rigidity', such as: Kensington's Wall / Auto / Air Notebook battery Adapter with USB Power Port (price of 140 USD). This charger allows users to recharge their laptop phones at various power sources, such as a car's 12V adapter, or on-board power jacks .

Take advantage of the sunshine

Voltaic's Generator laptop bag can generate power for a laptop without charging or doing anything. Just put your laptop in your pocket and leave it in the sun, the laptop has been 'boosted'.

This battery charger bag will be released to the market later this year, the price is about 599 USD.

Find your way home

Laptops can also play the role of a navigation device. If the laptop supports Bluetooth connectivity, you can install CoPilot Live software from ALK Technologies ($ 249). Users only need to use a tiny GPS receiver on the top of the computer, the route information will be transferred via Bluetooth to the computer.

Online video with external webcam

Many computers have built-in webcams, but if your old laptop doesn't have it, upgrade a webcam on top of the LCD screen.

Logitech's QuickCam Pro for Notebooks ($ 100) is extremely small, has a 2 megapixel sensor and has an integrated microphone. This webcam can record 30 frames per second.

Print from everywhere

Pentax's Mini PocketJet 3 Plus (priced at 449 USD) can help users print without going to the office. Although the printer weighs less than 0.5 kg is not the best quality, but just need it, users do not need to insist on carrying preventive ink when needed.

PocketJet 3 Plus uses thermal printing technology so users have to purchase a special type of printing paper. It can print about 3 pages per minute.