Laptops have overtaken desktop PCs as the preferred workhorse machines for most companies, regardless of the size, and it is easy to see why.The performance, feature, and price gap between the two have shrunk considerably, so much so that other than for niche use cases that require a fixed workstation, a laptop is generally preferable to a desktop computer.But while laptops are mobile computers, they do rely, sometimes, on accessories to boost their capabilities.We've rounded up some of these clever extras, from an ultra-secure USB drives, through a tiny docking station, to one of the weirdest gadgets ever to land on Techradar Pro, courtesy of a Kickstarter campaign.(Image: Mike Moore)EMeet OfficeCore M2 Smart SpeakerphoneA portable, but sometimes tricky smart speakerphoneStylish portable designHigh quality soundSmart Assistant linksSet up can be trickyHard to purchase and quite priceyWith conference calls becoming an increasingly common part of modern business life, the need for reliable hardware to support this is greater than ever.
The OfficeCore M2 is the latest release from Chinese firm EMeet, and looks to provide a smart and stylish way to make sure your calls go off without a hitch.The OfficeCore M2 offers 360-degree voice recognition thanks to a number of embedded microphones, supporting a range of up to 26 feet away, with the company adding that should support calls with up to 12 people without interference.
The device can also link to mobile smart assistants to facilitate greater communication, with Siri, Cortana and Google Now all supported via Bluetooth, although our tests found that this was often patchy to set up.The major selling point of the OfficeCore M2 is its portability.
Equipped with a 2500mAh battery that should easily last through even the longest conference calls, the device can quickly be picked up and carried around in a shoulder bag or rucksack.
At $189, it's not the cheapest speakerphone on the market today, but if you're in the market for a device that can easily be taken on the go, this could be the one for you.Netgear Nighthawk M1 mobile routerSlim and lightweight designSuperfast speedsEasy set-upDay-long battery lifeFragile buildHigh priceStaying online when working on the go has become an incredibly important issue for all mobile workers, as an unreliable connection can be a disaster.Netgear is looking to solve these worries with its new Nighthawk M1 mobile router, which it says is the company's fastest yet.
Capable of supporting Gigabit LTE speeds, the Nighthawk M1 uses four-band carrier aggregation and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X16 LTE modem to support mobile downloads of up to 1000MBps, as well as uploads of up to 150MBps.
Our time with the device found the actual speeds to be fractionally lower, however streaming and uploading were both fast and reliable, both at home and out and about.The Nighthawk M1 is slim and lightweight, meaning it can be easily carried around in a rucksack or messenger bag.
Netgear says that the battery life of the can last 24 hours, and our tests found it comfortably survived a full working day.
Set-up is a quick plug-in process, with no external software needed, and the device can even use its USB connectors to charge your mobile device.In the UK, the Nighthawk M1 can be purchased from Amazon for 299, or via pay-monthly contract with BT or EE.
Both options are fairly pricey, with EE offering the device for 29 a month for 24 months after a 99 upfront payment, but if you're looking for fast and reliable connections, this device is ideal.(Image: Mike Moore)Jabra Evolve 75e Bluetooth earphonesA stylish, noise-cancelling addition for when you need some quiet at your desk.Compact designComfortable fitGood sound qualityExcellent battery lifePatchy Bluetooth connectivityOffices can often be noisy places to work, so if you are looking to cut yourself off from the world around you, Jabra's latest Bluetooth headset could be the answer.The Jabra Evolve 75e is the company's latest attempt to help boost the productivity of office workers everywhere with a comfortable headset that offers long battery life and stylish design.Jabra says that the Evolve 75e are the worlds first professional UC-certified wireless earbuds, making the device ideal for carrying out external or conference calls wherever you are without the need for tangled phone wires or complicated UC set-ups.Set-up is simple, as the headset connects to your smartphone, laptop or desktop via Bluetooth and a USB plug-in.
There's no need to download any extra apps or services, meaning you can jump on calls right away.
The sound quality was excellent, with the buds cancelling out the noise of an active workplace, and the in-built microphone able to deliver a clear input.The only issue we had with the Evolve 75e is that Bluetooth connectivity would occasionally drop for no apparent reason, but with the compact design and long battery life (Jabra promises up to 14 hours) provided, this seems like a minor hiccup.(Image: Michael Moore)Square ReaderAn invaluable tool for small businesses everywhereHighly portableEasy to set upFull mobile integrationExtremely affordablePossibly too smallAs more and more consumers ditch cash for contactless and digital payments, businesses of all sizes also need to adapt.
Square has long been one of the most exciting payments companies around today, and has now finally brought its Reader product to the UK for the first time.The product acts as a mobile POS, allowing customers to quickly pay for their items using a contactless card, mobile or wearable device.
Targeted predominatly at small businesses or traders, the Square Reader is slim and compact, easily fitting in the palm of your hand.The 39 reader weighs in at just 56g, meaning it can be handheld, or tethered to a till or counter using an additional 19 dock, allowing for a truly mobile steup.
Anyone signing up to Square's service can get approval to start using the system within the hour, taking much of the headache out of setting up a new payments platform, with Squares own software system offering a POS service as well as in-depth analytics.The tool seems like an invaluable asset to any small business looking to grow or expand, or any company looking for a more mobile setup.
Perhaps our only gripe would be that the device is potentially too compact, and could be lost - but asides from that, a Square Reader could be the key to taking your business to the big time.(Image: Mike Moore)TP-Link M4750 Mobile Wi-Fi hotspotTough and portable designGood download speedsAll-day battery lifeEasy set-upTricky to track down in the UKAnother option for workers constantly on the go, the TP-Link M4750 offers download speeds of up to 300Mbps, and 50Mbps.
That's not enough to reliably stream high-quality media or teleconferencing, but if you need to work on documents or other files, the LTE Cat 6 network connection should be ideal.Our tests found that the device was reliable in reaching these speeds, even in central London, and more than enough to enjoy reliable connections whilst on the move.
The battery life for the device was excellent, lasting a full working day with ease, as TP-Link says that the M4750 can offer up to 15 hours of juice, and recharging the huge 3000mAh battery is also quick and easy using the microUSB port.The M4750 is also light and portable, being small enough to fit inside a jacket pocket, and its rubber build will help protect from any accidental drops or bumps.
Set up is remarkably easy, requiring you to just insert the SIM card and turn on, making this much more straightforward than other similar devices.The device can also work as a wireless hotspot, supporting up to 32 devices at once, across 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, meaning you can set up multiple connections around the home, or even in a small office if needs be - although speeds will drop if you do so.However buying the device in the UK is a bit tricky, as you'll have to go through a reseller to get your hands on one - with prices varying among stores, so stay on the lookout for the best deal.Sennheiser TeamConnect WirelessA stylish and portable way to turn any room into a boardoom - but at a high price.Highly portableQuick and easy to set upGood audio quality and pick-upHigh priceMany of us know the pain of conference calls being ruined by poor connection or call quality, and with many businesses today choosing to embrace mobile working ideas and services, the need to stay flexible yet connected is paramount.Sennheiser is looking to solve these woes with its ultra-mobile TeamConnect Wireless - in essence a portable conference room, which can be packed up and carried around for workers on the go.
Made up of four speakers, all carried around in a stylish case which doubles as a charging hub, the system can be connected to any laptop, smart device or VC system via Bluetooth, USB or 3.5mm jack.Set-up is quick and easy, allowing users to get up and running in a matter of minutes, with Sennheiser saying the kit can support up to 24 participants at once.
Our tests showed the audio quality to be very effective, even with multiple participants on different lines, with no connectivity issues.The ultra-portable design of the TeamConnect Wireless is the major selling point here, as the stylish case is able to charge up the speakers to ensure you're never caught short, and takes up less space than a rucksack.However this stylish product doesn't come cheap, costing 3,940, meaning it may be out of the price range for some SMBs.
For those that can splash out though, this is an eye-catching piece of kit that allows you to stay connected and conversant with your team or customers wherever you are.Orico SC28 Mobile Power BankA hugely flexible, but slightly bulky, laptop power bank that will keep you online all day.Huge capacityFlexible usageSlimline designTravel-friendlySlightly weightyIf you're someone who travels for work a lot, staying powered up on the move may often prove a challenge.
Although power banks for mobile devices have been popular for some time, anyone looking for a laptop equivalent could be caught short.
However Orico's new SC28 offering provides a huge capacity that should be perfect for staying charged up on a trip.
With a capacity of 28,800mAh, the SC28 provides easily enough juice for even the thirstiest laptops, which can be quickly recharged via USB or power socket.The latter features a number of adaptors for different markets, meaning you should never be caught short, with Orico promising five hours of life for a 13in laptop.
The SC28 can charge up to three devices at once, meaning you can power your laptop, phone and router all at once for the ideal mobile working solution.
The device itself looks stylish, with a sleek aluminium alloy body that weighs in at just under 1kg, but should still easily slip into a rucksack or laptop bag.b39013b7c0fd4e6b568e4e5cb7a0f7cf.jpg#