Netbooks have taken the computing world by storm, but you don’t have to use a netbook for very long to become painfully aware of their drawbacks. The keyboards are cramped, drive space is limited, most lack optical drives, and many of the features we take for granted are missing.

Still, netbooks are attractive options for people on the go who want a lightweight notebook at a rock-bottom price. If you choose accessories with care, you can recapture some of the missing features without adding too much in the way of cost or weight.

Networking

Netbooks are rarely an individual’s only computer; for most, the netbook is strictly a traveling companion. As such, there is always a need to connect, not only to the Internet but also to other computers and devices.

Iogear Bluetooth 2.0 USB Micro Adapter. Iogear’s Bluetooth 2.0 USB adapter ($22.99; www.iogear.com) provides a low-cost way to add Bluetooth capabilities to a netbook. What separates the Iogear adapter from others is its diminutive size. Barely bigger than a penny, the Bluetooth Micro Adapter won’t block other ports on your netbook and is so small you can leave it installed even while traveling.

Targus High-Speed File Transfer Cable. Using a cable to transfer files is so 1990s. But the Targus High-Speed Transfer Cable ($39.99; www.targus.com/us) is more than just a USB cable. Built into the cable is a 2MB flash drive that stores the Targus EasySuite software. When you plug the cable in, your netbook will mount the flash drive on the desktop, giving you easy access to the embedded file-sharing software. The software is cross-platform, so you can use it to transfer files between Windows and Mac computers. It supports mail and file syncing, as well as file transfers.

AT&T USBConnect Quicksilver. With your netbook’s built-in Wi-Fi radio, accessing Internet hotspots is a snap, but what happens when a hotspot isn’t handy? The AT&T USBConnect Quicksilver (free with two-year contract with a $60 minimum per-month data plan; wireless.att.com) is a mobile broadband modem, about the size of a small flash drive, that plugs into a netbook’s USB port. The modem can connect to AT&T’s 3G/HSPA data network and provide connectivity from 500Kbps to 1.7Mbps.

Verizon Wireless USB760 Broadband Modem. The USB760 ($49.99 after online discount with two-year data contract; www.verizonwireless.com) is one of the smaller broadband modems available for netbooks. Designed specifically for the Verizon Wireless 1x EVDO data network, the USB760 can achieve speeds from 500Kbps to 1.4Mbps. While slightly slower than the AT&T USBConnect Quicksilver, the USB760 is smaller and has a built-in microSD memory slot that supports up to an 8GB memory card. The memory card will appear as a removable drive when you attach the modem to your netbook.

Storage

Most netbooks lack an optical drive, and some have very limited space for storing data. Adding storage can be as easy as packing a standard external hard drive or DVD writer. You can also take advantage of one of the more unique abilities of some netbooks and add solid-state storage in the form of memory cards, flash drives, and solid-state drives.

Samsung SE-S084B External USB DVD Burner. There are plenty of slim, portable, external optical drives available, but the Samsung offers a host of features that makes it an attractive option for netbook users. The SE-S084B ($79.99; www.samsung.com/us) is a portable DVD writer that uses a tray, not a slot, for loading optical media. Tray-loading drives tend to be more stable, and they can use both standard 12cm media and the smaller 8cm media. Additionally, the tray can be manually ejected even when power is shut off to the drive. The SE-S084B connects via USB 2.0 and draws its power directly from the USB port.

Western Digital My Passport Elite External USB Drive. Western Digital’s Passport line of portable hard drives has always been a popular choice for notebook users, but the Passport Elite ($119.99 [250GB] to $169.99 [500GB]; www.westerndigital.com) has some features that may be particularly attractive to netbook users, including a five-year warranty, a cushiony case, automatic backup software, and synchronization software. Perhaps most important, the Passport Elite can be configured to encrypt all data on the hard drive, rendering it useless to all but the most determined of data thieves.

Apricorn Aegis Mini. If small and portable is your No. 1 priority for external storage, the Aegis Mini USB 2.0 portable hard drive ($129 [80GB] to $249 [240GB]; www.apricorn.com) may be a perfect fit. Using 1.8-inch hard drives, the Aegis Mini can hold between 80 and 240GB of storage in a case that’s no bigger than a standard deck of playing cards. At a mere 3.7 ounces, this portable hard drive is so light you may forget you’re carrying it. Like most portable drives, the Aegis Mini uses power supplied by your netbook via USB cable.

A-DATA Technology Turbo SDHC 16GB. If your netbook includes a flash memory card slot, and most do nowadays, consider installing a high-speed, high-capacity memory card, such as the Turbo SDHC ($39.99; www.adata-group.com/en). Many netbooks use SSDs (solid-state drives) in place of conventional hard drives. SSDs offer enormous advantages in the form of less power consumption and lower weight, but because of the cost, most netbooks use only 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB SSDs, severely limiting your ability to store data.

Though not quite as fast as an SSD, the A-DATA Turbo SDHC is a Class 6 memory device with a minimum guaranteed read and write speed of 6MBps. If you don’t mind the relatively slower speed, you can save weight, reduce power consumption, and hold on to more of your cash while easily doubling the storage of most SSD-equipped netbooks.

Kingston Data Traveler 150 USB Flash Drive. USB flash drives are also a great way to up your storage capabilities, especially if your netbook doesn’t have a memory card reader. Flash drives are much smaller and use much less power than portable external hard drives. Of course, they also cost more per byte and hold much less than even the smallest portable hard drive. Flash drives are a good choice for extending data storage when small, portable, and lightweight trump cost and capacity. The read/write performance of the Kingston Data Traveler 150 series of flash drives ($104 [32GB], $199.99 [64GB]; www.kingston.com) is very good; faster models are available, but they command much higher prices.

Super Talent Technology Solid-State Drives. If you want to increase your netbook’s internal storage capacity, SSDs, such as those from Super Talent Technology ($50 to $600; www.supertalent.com), are the method of choice. SSDs for netbooks are available in a variety of interfaces, so make sure the SSD’s interface and the one in your netbook are compatible.

Hubs

Some netbooks have adequate USB ports for adding peripherals, while others have barely enough to add a keyboard and mouse. No matter how many ports are present, they’re rarely enough. When adding a USB port, consider portability, size, and functionality over sheer number of ports, as well as whether the hub uses an external power supply. You probably won’t want to cart around a power supply just for the hub.

Targus USB 2.0 4-Port Bend-A-Hub With Mini USB Adapter. The Targus Bend-A-Hub ($19.99) provides four ports on a flexible, octopus-style connection system. The hub also offers two additional unique features. First, one of the USB ports can convert from a standard USB connector to a mini USB connector at the flip of a hinged flap. The mini USB connector is ideal for plugging in many cell phones and cameras and can supply power to recharge those devices. Second, one USB port is mounted vertically. Located at the center of the hub, the vertical port is well-positioned for plugging in flash drives, MP3 players, and other small accessories.

Belkin Swivel Hub. The Belkin Swivel Hub ($29.95; www.belkin.com) may be one of the smallest 4-port hubs available. It plugs directly into a free USB port, so it’s small and easy to carry around. Belkin overcomes the one flaw common to this type of hub by making it able to swivel and tilt, to ensure it doesn’t block other ports.

Keyboards & Mice

Netbook keyboards are at best a compromise. Key size and spacing are reduced to fit the small form factor of a netbook. Likewise, trackpad surfaces tend to be smallish. The easiest solution is to take along a keyboard and mouse so you can maintain your normal typing and mousing habits.

Matias Folding Keyboard. Matias has been making exceptional keyboards for years. Available in USB and wireless Bluetooth versions, the Matias Folding Keyboard ($69.95; $99.95 with mouse; www.matias.ca) is a full-sized keyboard when in use and folds up to half its normal size for travel and storage. The Matias Folding Keyboard uses full-sized domed switch keys that have the rich tactile quality of high-end desktop keyboards. The keyboard has a full numeric keypad, function keys, home keys, arrow keys, and volume up/down keys.

TabletKiosk Folding Bluetooth Keyboard. As one of the leading UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC) developers, TabletKiosk knows a thing or two about small computing equipment. Originally designed as an accessory for TabletKiosk’s UMPC offerings, the Folding Bluetooth Keyboard ($99.95; www.tabletkiosk.com) is smaller and more portable than the Matias Folding Keyboard. But to achieve the smaller size, TabletKiosk removed the dedicated function keys and dedicated keypad.

Microsoft Arc Mouse. Keyboards can fold in half for travel; why not mice? The Microsoft Arc Mouse ($49.95; www.microsoft.com) does just that. A standard-sized mouse when in use, this Bluetooth-based mouse folds to about half its size for travel. In use, the Microsoft Arc Mouse is a 4-button, scrolling laser mouse that fits better in larger hands than itty-bitty notebook mice.

Logitech V450 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse For Notebooks. The Logitech V450 Nano ($49.99; www.logitech.com) is an RF (radio frequency) wireless mouse in a compact design that is comfortable even for larger hands. Logitech also offers a Bluetooth wireless version, the V470 Nano. Both mice are otherwise identical and have a handy scroll wheel.

Brando Workshop Tiny 2.4GHz Wireless Mouse. Tiny is an apt description for this mouse, because at last three of them could fit in the average palm. Despite its diminutive size, this mouse has two buttons and a scroll wheel. It’s too small to be a comfortable fit for everyone, but if you don’t like trackpads and you want a mouse that is ultra-portable, give the Brando Tiny 2.4GHz Wireless Mouse ($29; www.brando.com.hk) a try.

Software & Services

Many of the software applications you’re used to using on a desktop computer will run on a netbook, with the exception of those that require high-performance processing power and/or oodles of memory and storage. Remote options include online services that can help you overcome some storage issues and Internet-based (aka cloud) computing applications that not only allow you to run applications from the cloud but to store data there, as well.

Garmin Mobile PC. Netbooks and GPS just seem to go together. Imagine using your netbook’s 10-inch screen for navigating from place to place. Garmin Mobile PC provides the software, the maps, and an intuitive interface to a full-featured GPS system. The USB-based GPS receiver ($59.99; www.garmin.com) plugs into your netbook and locks onto GPS satellites, even from within a vehicle. The Bluetooth-based GPS receiver ($149.99) is easy to position for the best signal.

Google Apps. Google Apps (free; www.google.com/apps) is a well-known example of applications that can run from the Internet cloud. Google Apps provides messaging services in the form of Gmail and Google Calendar, letting you send and receive email, as well as manage your calendar and share it with others. Google Docs lets you create, edit, and store word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation documents on Google’s Internet servers, making it easy to share documents and collaborate with others, not to mention work from anywhere.

NetBooks Beta. NetBooks (free; www.netbooks.com), no relation to your portable computer, is a suite of applications designed to help you keep a handle on your business. NetBooks’ core capabilities include contact management, invoicing, bookkeeping, expense tracking, and creating financial reports. Like the other applications in this category, NetBooks is a full suite of applications that run from and store your data in the cloud.

Zoho. Zoho (prices vary; www.zoho.com) offers one of the best suites of cloud-based applications currently available, and certainly one of the largest. Zoho offers the usual suspects, including email, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation plus an online organizer, Wiki, online document sharing, Web conferencing, invoicing, and even an HR module for managing employees.

They Go Together

Netbooks and travel go hand in hand. Add a few of the accessories covered in this article to your kit, and you may find yourself in traveler’s bliss, at least when it comes to using your netbook.

by Tom Nelson and Mary O’Connor