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6 things you need when you first buy a laptop

Make your computer last with gear guaranteed to keep it safe.

Photo of Marisa Losciale

Marisa Losciale

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If you just got your first laptop, or maybe upgrading your old one, you’ll need more than just a case to keep it protected.

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Laptops aren’t cheap, but they’re an investment because they’re more than just a computer. They’re your on-demand movie theatre, digital photo album and the keeper of all your favorite playlists. Cloud or no cloud, replacing one tugs on more than just your wallet.

Since our computers do pretty much everything for us, it’s no surprise there are plenty of products out there to keep devices running smoothly. But what do you actually need? Use this list as a reference and your new laptop will be in good shape for as long as you have it.

1) Travel with your tech gear and never fear damage with a durable sleeve.

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Protect your computer from drops and dings with a shockproof sleeve like this highly rated one by Evecase.

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Price on Amazon: $15.99 (regularly $49.99)

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2) Protect your hard drive from overheating with a laptop cooling fan.

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Why do crashes and freezes always seem to happen at the worst possible time? Reduce potential disasters by reducing the temperature of your laptop.

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Price on Amazon: $19.99 (regularly $21.99)

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3) Steer clear from scratches with a screen protector.

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This anti-glare, anti-scratch and anti-fingerprint screen protector by CooSkin allows you to easily view your screen no matter the angle of the sun. It also comes with a six-month money-back warranty, in case you change your mind.

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Price on Amazon: $12.88

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4) Protect your device from vicious volts with a surge protector.

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Fried electronics are useless (and don’t taste very good either). The Belkin six-outlet surge protector has 200 joules of safety to make sure your devices aren’t cooked during the next storm. It’s a simple item that will get the job safely done.

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Price on Amazon: $12.54 (for a two pack)

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5) Save yourself the stress of broken devices with a hard cover case.

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Better safe than sorry, right? Don’t fret about scrapes, because the Mosiso plastic shell case was designed with that in mind. Now you can safely bring your computer with you wherever you go.

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Price on Amazon: $12.99

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6) Move quicker with a wireless mouse.

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This one’s not a safety necessity, but your cramp-free wrists will thank you later. Simply plug in a wireless mouse, like this one from Logitech, and browse the web or play all your favorite video games with speed and ease. 

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Price on Amazon: $13.90

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