Notebooks are normally equipped with touch pads which can be awkward. There's no substitute for mouse. Notebooks are predominantly used on a static, flat surface. With wireless broadband hotspots mushrooming all over nation's transit locations, table tops have become as much mobile computing desktops as surfaces on which lattes sit. The touch pads on notebooks are also rather vulnerable to damage by static electricity, which is a common occurrence in aircraft cabins, carpeted airport lounges and offices and will become a big problem when you’re on road and lose function of your primary pointing device.

A good optical mouse - wired or wireless - must be able to track movement on varying tabletop surfaces. Optical mice traditionally had problems with glossy, transparent, or light-colored surfaces, but technology has advanced to a level that these problems are almost non-existent. Although wireless mice are trend these days, stick to a wired optical mouse by virtue that it does not require additional power or equipment to operate; as in batteries or receivers for wireless ones. You don't need extra equipment in your already-overloaded and heavy notebook bag!

A Multi-Device Charger/Power Adapter

Forget those that are bundled with your notebook computer. Get yourself a good notebook bag that is well-padded both on its load-bearing straps, and 100% around notebook itself.

Aren't all notebook bags built same? The answer is NO. There are countless bag types and variations. Not all of them have your comfort and protection of notebook itself in mind. Most of them sacrifice style for substance, which is worse than not having a notebook bag in first place.

The best way to determine which notebook bag is one for you is to bring along your notebook while shopping. Put it in bag and ensure that it doesn't slip and slide around - generous spaces DO NOT mean better protection! You want it to be snug.

Carry bag with your notebook in it. Simulate a light jog. Why? Experience tells me that's how you'll most likely travel through gates of airport hell. If straps start digging in those shoulders, start looking for alternatives. A good strap should cushion those shocks as bag bounces off your shoulders while doing your airport jog.

Note also how notebook bag opens up for main access. Again, if you're a frequent traveler you'll want to have one that's easy to retrieve and store your notebook for security checkpoint purposes. The best are usually top-loading ones secured by either a zipper or a flap. We recommend flap versions because they usually have an additional layer of cushioning right around top for notebook, and secure well but open fast with magnetic snaps/buttons.

The zipper types have none, and your poor notebook will get whacked full-force if bag topples head-long off an airport luggage cart. Trust me on this bit: I've had enough times my notebook took a tumble that way, and seen many other helpless souls literally spill their notebooks' guts across airport gates ... Not a nice sight.