Netbooks: The Missing Manual

Chapter 4. Connecting Devices to Your Netbook

Netbooks are built for portability. You grab yours and go—off to class, the coffee shop, the airport, wherever. But the tiny computer doesn’t have to be just a lightweight way to browse the Web when you’re out and about. As detailed in Chapter 1, most netbooks include USB ports, audio jacks, video connectors, and other places to plug in the same kind of hardware you use with a laptop or desktop computer.

Mice, printers, external monitors, music players, and USB drives—you can hook up just about any piece of hardware that works with a full-size machine. Attaching external devices is a bit more challenging on a computer that lacks a CD drive for installing driver software, but this chapter walks you through all of the steps. And since that netbook was meant for travel, you’ll also find out what you need to take with you for comfortable computing no matter where you go.

Mice, Trackballs, and Tablets

Let’s face it: That netbook’s trackpad can feel a little small if you’re using it for hours on end. Also, it may not be the most precise way to get around the screen if you’re doing something like touching up digital photos or making art with a drawing program. Alternative input devices—mice, trackballs, and stylus-based tablets (like the ones Wacom makes for digital artists)—can ease the pain and give you more control over where you point on the screen.

Adding a Basic Mouse: The Easy Way

If you find yourself missing the mouse, there’s no reason ...