Bling It On: Accessories

Accessories used to be those little things that cranked you slightly over budget and cluttered up your desk. Now, you can get accessories to make your life easier, customise your look and make your electronic world a happier, more comfortable place.

Accessories do more than just decorate your electronics; they enhance functionality and can help with repetitive strain injuries (RSI), a real risk the more time you spend hunched in front of your computer or notebook.

There are literally thousands of accessories out there, far too many to cover here but here’s a quick guide to the essentials.

The humble mouse has evolved from the clumsy trackball to current wireless Bluetooth models. You can even get models, like Logitech’s Darkfield Laser Tracking mouse, that work on glass. Ergonomics are important – it has to be comfortable and the right size for your hand. Microsoft has a ‘Natural Ergonomic’ range and while the mouse may feel a little high, this is to support your wrist.

Games need highly responsive mice with lots of control buttons and high sensitivity. Mouse speed is expressed in terms of counts per inch (CPI), often called dots per inch (DPI). It’s the number of steps the mouse will report when it moves one inch.

The higher the number, the better. You can get mice in every size, colour and shape (we’ve even seen one in the shape of a woman) so knock yourself out.

With touchscreens on the rise and motion games controllers like the Wii, Playstation Move and Xbox Kinect becoming more sophisticated, we anticipate the days of the mouse are limited.

The same principles apply with keyboards as with mice; ergonomics are essential and these days you really want to go with a wireless option. Gamers will want highly spec’d keyboards with gaming specific modules and most options these days also have programmable function keys to streamline your workflow. Backlit keyboards are good if you’re a night owl. Keyboards will also eventually go the way of the typewriter but for now they’re essential so get a good one.

From rugged, waterproof cases like the OtterBox range, to crystallised skins and handsfree headsets, you can pimp your smartphone any way you like. Headsets come in two types, the mono unit or the stereo unit. Stereo units make it easier to hear the caller but have the unfortunate side effect of blocking out noise in both ears, which can be a hazard while driving.

Most mono units plug directly into your ear and also have a hook that wraps around the top of your ear to hold the headset in place (that can be really uncomfortable). Look out for voice-controlled sets which allow you to keep driving without taking a hand off of the wheel. BluAnt, a manufacturer dedicated to Bluetooth products, even makes a motorcycle kit that allows you to talk to people wearing the same headset within 500m, talk on your phone, or hear turn-by-turn GPS direction − all while cancelling out extra noise and wind.

The problem with smartphones is that they are power hungry. Docking stations let you use your smartphone in your home as a stereo and alarm clock while charging. That’s already removed three devices from your bedside table. Here, price is key. You can pick up docking stations from as little as $100 but generally, the more you pay, the better the sound quality.

Ah, sweet sound. There is no excuse for tiny, tinny computer speakers in your world. The variety of computer speakers, and their ranges of price and quality are wider than ever, while the opportunities to test speakers yourself before buying are few. A 2.0 system has a left and right speaker with the amplifier housed inside one and generally takes up less desk space. A 2.1 system has two channels plus a subwoofer. The lower frequencies are handled by the subwoofer, which allows the satellites to be even smaller; that subwoofer/amplifier unit, however, often takes up a big chunk of space under your desk.

Ignore manufacturers' specifications, especially frequency response numbers as there is no standard testing methodology. Use your ears and listen in store.

A good speaker system provides good balance between the treble (upper), midrange, and bass (lower) frequencies, producing full, rich sound while preserving detail.

iPad covers and accessories have exploded onto the market and those for the new army of tablets are sure to follow. You need a case to protect that shiny screen and can choose anything your heart desires: whether leopard print, gold or Swarovski crystals are your thing. The most important accessory you’ll want is ‘juice’, a small, lightweight charger that gives you one full charge to keep you going. These now come in all shapes and sizes. Keep an eye out for solar powered, fashionable models that double as cases.

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