PCMCIA devices
Earlier PCMCIA slots were used for a modem or a network card, but now that these are inbuilt in most laptops, you can use them for other devices. Choices are a Wi-Fi card, biometric authentication device, and extenders for USB, FireWire, Bluetooth or even an FM tuner.

Targus Defcon Authenticator
If you don't trust your locks and keys, use this fingerprint scanner with the PCMCIA port of your notebook
Price: Rs 13,990
Contact: Targus, Bangalore. Tel: 56966424

Mobile versions of bigger devices
Mobile printers, extra slim scanners, webcams, external sound cards and mini USB speakers fit in this category. 

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX
Your favorite song does not sound good on your notebook? Try using the External Sound Blaster by Creative. It plugs into you notebook through the USB port and comes with a remote too.
Price: Rs 10599
Contact: Creative Technology, Mumbai. Tel: 982035771. E-mail: rajshekhar_bhatt@ctl.creative.com 

PixelView PlayTV USB Pro
Hooked to television? Try this USB-based TV tuner that comes with a remote and offers still and moving video capture.
Price: Rs 4000
Contact: Rashi Peripherals, Mumbai. Tel: 28260256.

USB accessories
Most accessories for notebooks are USB, from mice to IrDA, Bluetooth connectors and R/F pointing devices. The ones becoming popular are storage devices, which are as small as the size of a pen and store as much data  as 1GB.

Logitech Web Cameras 
Logitech ultra compact camera for notebooks. 
QuickCam Pro: Rs 8000 
QuickCam: Rs 6250
Contact: Rashi Peripherals, Mumbai. Tel: 28260256

Iomega HDD 
This 230 gms, 40 GB HDD can fit in your shirt pocket and comes with Norton Ghost 2003 and Iomega Automatic backup. You can also connect it via FireWire. 
Price: Rs 15,000
Contact: Neoteric Informatique, Delhi. 
Tel: 26433549/50. 
E-mail: manish@neoteric-info.com 

Adaptors
Carry a universal power adaptor when traveling abroad, to avoid the problem of power-plug not fitting into the socket. Adaptors are associated not just with power. There's a USB to COM port adaptor. And, an adaptor to convert DV-I to regular analog if you're using a Mac.

Geetaj Channana