Using your notebook as a desktop PC
Aug 7, 2009 Rick's Tips
In times past, folks who traveled on business would use a desktop PC in the office and at home, while using a notebook computer when out on the road. But these days notebooks are faster and more powerful than even the most powerful desktops of just a few short years ago, so a growing number of computer users are using notebooks exclusively.
The problem with notebooks though are the small keyboards and cumbersome pointing devices that are so frustrating to use. If you find yourself in this situation, there is a cheap and easy solution.
You can buy a replacement desktop keyboard and mouse and plug them into your notebook’s USB ports. For a cost of around $25 you can make your notebook serve as a very adequate desktop computer. What’s more, if you feel limited by your notebook’s relatively small screen, you can also pick up a nice LCD monitor which plugs into either the notebook’s VGA connector or an empty USB port.
For the sake of convenience, if you purchase all three of these add-ons (keyboard, mouse and monitor) with USB connectors, you can plug them all into a single USB hub so that you can simply unplug one cord when you get ready to hit the road again.
You can place the keyboard, mouse and monitor on your desk, yet have the notebook itself sitting somewhere nearby, out of the way. I predict that in the not so distant future desktop PC’s will be phased out completely. The good news is you don’t have to be stuck with those frustrating tiny keyboards, non-intuitive pointing devices and miniscule screens.
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