Quick and Easy Laptop Hack to Manage Your Cables and Peripherals

If you travel frequently with your laptop, you know the hassle of tangled cables and peripherals that can be easily lost. But thanks to MAKE magazine, there is a quick and easy solution to managing your cables and peripherals: cable management.

Cable management is not for everyone, but if you have lots of gear that would be a pain to lose while traveling, this hack can make your life much easier. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to manage your cables and peripherals like a pro.

What You Will Need
To get started with cable management, you will need some essential items that include:

1. A travel case or bag for your laptop
2. Cable ties or Velcro bands
3. Cable management containers, cases, or holders
4. A power strip with extra ports
5. Portable USB hubs
6. Portable charging devices

These items will be useful in keeping your cables, peripherals, and other gear organized and easily accessible.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cable Management
Now that you have gathered all the necessary items let’s dive into the step-by-step guide of how to manage your cables and peripherals.

1. Select the right travel case for your needs
The first step is to select the right travel case or bag for your laptop that will fit all your gear. There are different types of bags available, including backpacks, messenger bags, and briefcases.

Make sure that your bag is spacious enough to accommodate all your gear and also has multiple compartments to compartmentalize your electronics and peripherals.

2. Use cable ties or Velcro bands
Cable ties or Velcro bands are a great way to keep cables organized and prevent them from getting tangled. You can use them to bundle your cables together and store them in separate compartments in your travel bag.

Velcro bands are especially useful as they can be reused, unlike cable ties, which are often single-use and difficult to remove.

3. Use cable management containers, cases, or holders
Invest in cable management containers, cases, or holders to store your cables and peripherals safely. These cases are specifically designed for organizing cables and can be used to store USB drives, headphones, chargers, power cords, and other gear.

There are various cable management containers available such as the Grid-It organizer from Cocoon, which has an elastic strap system that can hold your gear securely, or the Nesting Pouches from Topo Designs, which are made of water-resistant fabric and come in a variety of sizes.

4. Use a power strip with extra ports
If you have a lot of devices that need to be charged, consider using a power strip with extra ports. This will allow you to charge all your devices at once without plugging in separate chargers.

Make sure that the power strip you choose is compact and lightweight, so it can easily fit in your travel bag.

5. Use portable USB hubs
Portable USB hubs are a great addition to your travel bag as they allow you to expand your laptop’s USB ports. This means you can connect more devices to your laptop, such as a mouse, keyboard, or external hard drive.

Look for compact and lightweight USB hubs that have multiple ports and are compatible with your laptop.

6. Use portable charging devices
When traveling, you may not always have access to power outlets, especially when you are on the move. Portable charging devices such as power banks, solar chargers, or car chargers are a great way to keep your devices charged when you are on the go.

Choose a portable charging device that is compatible with your devices and has a high capacity so that it can charge your devices multiple times.

Conclusion
Cable management is an essential hack for anyone who travels frequently with their laptop and other electronic gear. With the right tools and some organization, you can keep your cables and peripherals safe, organized, and easily accessible.

By following the step-by-step guide we have provided, you can manage your cables like a pro and avoid the hassle of tangled cords and lost peripherals. So, whether you are a frequent traveler or just looking for a way to keep your gear organized at home, give cable management a try and see the difference it can make.