3 Laptop Peripherals That You Can Take Anywhere

When you’re traveling, you might bring your trusty laptop to stay connected to the online world. While it's convenient, it's not quite the same as your setup back home, but there are handy peripherals that can change that. Below you’ll find three examples of ultraportable hardware that you can bring to level up your laptop while working or gaming anywhere.

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A Portable Second Monitor

When you’re traveling, you’d usually bring a laptop that you can use to work from anywhere or game on the go. If you’re used to a two-monitor setup at home, you can still bring that all-important second screen in a sleek, unobtrusive package. You can use that second monitor for anything – more space to work, multitasking, or simply to play videos for easy watching/listening.

Many portable monitors are made with media consumption in mind, so they’re ideal for streaming video or displaying other kinds of vivid, visually engaging media. That includes games you can find online, like colorful slots on casino bet websites that are often based on exotic or historical settings.

Examples include established game titles like Tetris or Space Invaders, both of which have inspired modern online slingo games. Those games, and a lot of other games and videos online, can provide an endless source of second-monitor entertainment.

As for specific recommendations, you can find portable monitors from ViewSonic, ASUS, and Lenovo. ASUS has also collaborated with ROG to make a gaming portable monitor as part of ROG’s Strix product line. With any portable monitor, you just need to make sure it comes with compatible ports/wiring to connect to your laptop.

A Wireless Mouse

A lot of people hate using the laptop touchpad, especially for gaming. If that’s the case, you’ll want to get a mouse that you can take anywhere for a more controlled, stable experience. While you could bring a wired mouse, the best portable mice are wireless so you don’t have to worry about bending and damaging the wire. If you prefer wired mice, you can find cable-packing techniques online.

If you’re getting a wireless mouse, you’ll need to consider how long its battery will last. For long work stints or gaming sessions, you’ll want a good quality model that won’t quit on you.

If you’re on a shorter trip, with ample charging opportunity, you can go for budget models. Some manufacturers don’t make their mice for left-handed users, so you should double-check before you buy. Also, if you’re hiking, you should go for a lighter mouse instead of a heavier alternative.

A Foldable Laptop Stand/Tray

Depending on where you are, finding a stable desk to place your laptop on can be a challenge. That’s why you should consider a stand or a tray that allows you to comfortably use your laptop anywhere. If your laptop overheats, it also keeps the hot surface off your legs. If that’s a problem you face, you should take steps to avoid overheating, because this can also damage your hardware.

Stands allow you to place your screen at a more natural viewing angle, so it’s exactly where the monitor would be in a typical desktop setup. Trays, on the other hand, provide a flat space to put your laptop on if there’s no table available, with extra space for peripherals like your mouse and second monitor. In the spirit of portability, you’ll want to get a stand/tray that’s foldable so you can easily store it with the rest of your gear.

Using these three highly portable peripherals, you can recreate a desktop setup even when you’re traveling with a laptop.