Chapter 14. Portable System Accessories

A great many add-on devices are available for use with portable systems, providing functions that cannot practically or economically be included inside a system itself. Indeed, many of the most common uses for portable systems might require additional hardware, either because of the computer's location or the requirements of the function.

Note that when it comes to laptop accessories, the range of available options may actually exceed those available for desktops. Consider that laptop owners can choose not only from a wide array of desktop accessories, they can also take advantage of a large group of accessories that are meant for use exclusively by portable systems. The only desktop accessories not available to laptops are internal expansion cards and storage drives ”and in some cases even these components can be installed in certain laptop configurations. The following sections discuss some of the most common peripherals used with portable systems.