In the past on this blog I have talked about the need for an external hard drive for backups or in case of the Asus Eee PC for some decent storage space.  I have even looked even a purpose built server to help manage all the data that we are all accumulating at an ever increasing rate.  But what if you your data requirements are such that you need something substantial but you don’t really want to go for something as meaty as the HP MediaSmart Server.

Buffalo LinkStation Live

Well in that case you only really have two options,  the first is to use the cloud, and the second is to look for something like the Buffalo LinkStation Live 500GB Network Hard Drive which is something, sort of in between what we have previously looked at.

The Cloud

Lets look at the cloud first. “The cloud” is becoming one of the standard ways of referring to the Internet. So if you store and publish photographs on Flickr for instance you are storing them in the cloud. The cloud refers to the fact that you don’t actually know where the computer your photo’s are stored on, is physically located. Your photo’s are just out there on the cloud, but importantly it is easy to find them. There are now plenty of online storage options available, just search for “online storage”.  Online storage does actually have some advantages, your data is probably safer out there, rather than on your non backed up laptop hard drive, and of course you can access your stuff from anywhere and on any computer anywhere in the world as long as it has a Internet connection.

Network storage

However a lot of people are often a little uncomfortable about putting their data out there, and so the Buffalo LinkStation is a good alternative providing a good amount of network storage. This can free up space on your laptop or provide a backup solution.  The LinkStation also has the added attraction of being able to integrate nicely with iTunes and stream media to your PC.

How do you store all your stuff?

I have talked before about how useful a mini mouse can be for using with a laptop. especially so when working while traveling. I find that using a mouse rather than the trackpad of a laptop is a much better way of maintaining a good position when working on a laptop for long periods of time.  In other words the sort of thing you often end up doing when working in some faceless hotel in some city or country around the world.

Unfortunately my previous mini mouse suddenly stopped working for reasons unknown. But what I do know is that my younger kids could not help themselves from endlessly playing with the retractable cable holder that is designed to hold the connecting USB cable neatly while the mouse is not in use. They just loved pulling the cable out and back on an almost continuous basis. Now I can not confirm that this caused or even contributed to the demise of my mouse but I thought I would look around for a replacement with out the cable.

After searching around and even trying out various models of wireless mice, I finally settled on the Logitech V450 Laser Cordless Mouse which after using for a couple of days I am really happy with.  I like the design which although slightly bigger than my previous mouse seems to be even more comfortable to hold. I have had absolutely no connection problems with the wireless and even better, the mouse seems to be able to cope with a lot more different surfaces than my old one.  If you are look for a wireless mouse for your laptop than I can certainly recommend this one.

Do you use a mouse with your laptop?