Computer Accessories & Storage

How to shop for computer accessories and storage online

Keyboards: layout first, switches second. Check three things on every listing: Mac or Windows legends and key mapping, ANSI (US) or ISO (UK and EU) layout, and the form factor (full-size, TKL, 75%, 65%). A 75% board drops the number pad but keeps function keys. For mechanical boards, "hot-swappable" means you can change switches without soldering, but confirm whether sockets accept 3-pin or 5-pin switches. Wireless boards should state Bluetooth device count and whether a 2.4GHz dongle is included.

Mice and ergonomics. Vertical mice put your forearm in a handshake position; trackballs eliminate arm movement. Both take time to adapt to, which is why a return window of at least 30 days matters. Check the hand-length sizing if the brand lists it, since a vertical mouse that is too small causes more strain, not less. Left-handed models are rarer and worth confirming before you commit.

NAS and enclosures. Read the compatibility list before buying drives: some NAS units are fussy about specific drive models and RAM modules. Look at the CPU (x86 handles media transcoding and containers better than ARM), network port speed (2.5GbE is now a sensible baseline, 10GbE for video editing), and the number of bays you will need in three years rather than today. RAID is not a backup; you still need a second copy elsewhere. Warranty terms are short in this tier, often 12 months in the US, and you usually pay to ship the unit in. Data loss is never covered.

Portable and attachable monitors. Confirm your laptop's screen size range, lid thickness and ports. A single USB-C cable carrying video and power requires DisplayPort Alt Mode on the laptop's port; otherwise you may need HDMI plus a separate power cable. Weight on the lid can tip lighter laptops.

Return traps. Restocking fees are the big one. AZIO, for example, can charge 25% on returns that are not resealable. Some stores refund original shipping on any return within 30 days; others only cover return labels for defects. If a store describes returns only for unopened items, assume you cannot try the product and send it back.

Budget tiers. $30 to $80 covers a good ergonomic mouse or a wireless keyboard. $80 to $150 buys a hot-swap mechanical board or an ergonomic combo. A 2- or 4-bay NAS starts around $200 to $500 before drives, which often cost more than the box.

Which brand fits which buyer

• Desk workers with wrist or forearm discomfort trying a vertical or trackball mouse: ProtoArc.
• Home office shoppers who want keyboard, mouse and chair from one brand under one warranty: ProtoArc.
• Families and small offices building a first NAS for photo backup and file sharing: TerraMaster.
• Video editors needing a fast Thunderbolt or USB4 enclosure: TerraMaster.
• Writers and desk-setup fans who want a keyboard that doubles as decor, or a first custom board: AZIO, keeping packaging resealable.
• Laptop-first hybrid workers who want three screens on the road: The Portable Monitor, confirming fit before ordering since only unopened returns are described.