5 Must-Have Tech Accessories

Why suffer with uncomfortable computing, smudged and dusty screens or dead cell phones when a small investment can solve the problem? Here are five add-ons we consider must-haves to get the most from your high-tech products.

— Russell Kaye

1. Portable Chargers

You remembered to bring your cell phone — too bad you forgot to charge it before leaving the house. Fortunately, there's a practical solution to this incredibly aggravating problem. A portable charger that fits in a briefcase, purse or pocket will let you power up even when there's no place to plug in.

These devices are basically external batteries you charge up at home by connecting to a computer USB port. They will hold a charge for months when not in use. And on that unhappy day when you discover you're carrying a dead phone, you simply connect to the portable charger and make a call right away, or recharge the phone for later use. You need to make sure the portable charger you buy has the right connector for your phone, but it's not as complicated as it used to be, when each manufacturer used its own distinctive plug. Today most phones use either a standard mini-USB or micro-USB connection.
RadioShack is one good source for portable chargers. Their Enercell Micro USB Portable Power Banks ($19.99) are available with either mini-USB or micro-USB connectors.
Additional compatibility options come from Duracell. The Instant USB Charger (about $25), is just a bit larger than a pack of chewing gum. It has a built-in mini-USB plug plus a jack to connect the USB charging cable that came with your phone, offering lots of flexibility. A larger model, the Powerhouse USB charger (about $40) has four times the battery capacity, and the ability to charge two devices at once.

2. Laptop Mouse

More and more of us have switched to laptop computers, which come with built-in pointing devices and speakers. But moving the cursor with a touchpad is much less comfortable than grabbing a mouse, and listening to tiny laptop speakers is no way to enjoy music while you compute.
If you're using a laptop at both home and away, we particularly like the combination of comfort and portability provided by the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse ($69.95). Unlike some mice designed for travel, this is a full-size model, with an arch shape that feels very comfortable. The mouse buttons are sensitive without being twitchy, and a center strip lets you quickly control your on-screen location using taps and gestures. The Arc Touch is wireless, with a tiny receiver that plugs into a USB port. And the design is particularly tailored for travel. The entire mouse flattens to fit neatly in a bag or briefcase, and there's a magnetic spot on the bottom to hold the USB receiver.

— Russell Kaye

3. Computer Speakers

What sets computer speakers apart from run-of-the-mill stereo system speakers? They need built-in amplification — since they're not connected to an AV receiver — and shielding to protect your computer gear from the speaker magnets. You can find a decent pair of speakers from Altec-Lansing, Creative Labs or Logitech for under $50. If you're going to spend serious time enjoying music and potentially movie soundtracks on your computer, though, we advise spending a bit more.
M-Audio makes wonderful tabletop computer speakers, with excellent clarity and enough punch to feel substantial. The AV 40s are a bit pricey at $229.99, but the expense is justified by the room-filling, distortion-free sound they produce. The slightly smaller AV 30s sound nearly as good, with a bit less oomph, at $149.99.
Creative Labs offers an interesting wireless solution with the Inspire S2 Wireless speakers ($129.99). This system includes both compact stereo speakers and a subwoofer for powerful bass output. It connects to your laptop wirelessly via Bluetooth (either built into your computer or added with an included USB dongle). That way, whenever your laptop is within range, sound is automatically pumped through the speaker system, without having to plug in an audio cable. And, as a bonus, you can play music from your Bluetooth-equipped phone through the same speakers.

— Russell Kaye

4. Screen Cleaners

We're surrounded by screens large and small, all of which attract dust, airborne grunge and, in many cases, fingerprints. How can you clean them safely without removing protective coatings, streaking or scratching the screen? Monster ScreenClean provides a safe, effective solution, whether you're cleaning a big-screen TV or a cell phone. The kits come with a spray solution and a microfiber cloth (the solution goes on the cloth, not directly on the screen). A few quick wipes and your screen is squeaky clean. Kits come in a variety of sizes and shapes; the ScreenClean Dual Pack, which includes both cleaning supplies for all your screens and an antibacterial cloth for portable devices, runs $35.95.

— Russell Kaye

5. Screen Protection

Most of us sign two-year contracts when we get a new cellphone — that's a long time to suffer the aggravation of a scratched screen. A protective case is one solution, but not ideal, since it adds bulk and means one more piece of gear to remember. We prefer to apply a protective covering to the delicate cell phone screen. There are several suppliers, but we've had good luck with the InvisibleShield line from Zagg. The company actually adapted film used to protect helicopter blades to provide perfectly clear, remarkably tough plastic covers custom-shaped to precisely fit phones, GPS units, tablets, cameras, e-book readers and more — check the website to see if your device and model is covered. For many phones, you'll have the choice of protecting just the front or the entire device, front, back and sides. Cell phone bodies are pretty tough, so we think scratch-proofing the front screen is good enough.
Prices vary by device, but as an example, the iPhone 4 front protection sells for $14.99, the full body for $24.99. Applying the coating requires a bit of dexterity, but you can stick it down and peel it back up as many times as necessary until you get it right. And when you're done, even keys scraping across the screen in your pocket won't cause damage.