Today, my laptop and I went on the road to do a website consulting job.  When I went to put all the stuff I needed into my laptop bag, there was not enough room.  You should always consider bringing these necessities when you take your laptop on the road:

1. Laptop

I know this might be a no-brainer, but there is nothing more frustrating than packing up everything, going out “with” your laptop and finding it not there.

2. Power Adapter and Batteries

The second most frustrating thing is to forget either your extra batteries (where you cannot plug in) or your power cord (if you do not have extra batteries).  Lets face it:  your laptop is only useful if you have power.  So, definitely don’t forget the power cord or extra batteries.

3. Mouse

A mouse is something especially important should you be going somewhere to work for an extended period of time.  Provided you have the space to setup on a table or desk, a mouse provides less hand strain than the pointing device provided on your notebook.  Also, when doing tasks that require some precision such as image editing or CAD drawings, a mouse does a much better job than the pointing device on your notebook.

4. Notebook Cooler Pad

This accessory is especially important should you be working with your notebook all day.  A notebook cooler pad is a base that plugs into your notebook via USB and pulls the heat away from the bottom of the laptop.  This not only helps the laptop dissipate heat, but it also prolongs the life of your laptop.  It is very important if you are working in an environment where the heat is excessive - every bit helps.