debcook

2008-08-20 21:23:10 

Task lighting reduces eye strain. When away from home or the office task lighting can be a challenge. Planning ahead for those times when more light is needed may be the difference in completing the project and not.

Tiny flexible tubes (necks) with a USB plug on one end and one or more bright LED lights on the other provide just enough light to see a keyboard but will not illuminate the work area. A bendable tube allows for the pinpoint light source. Once the light is directed where you want it no hands are needed.

Other notebook lights are available with a clip on one end and a LED light on the other. These are often called book lights.

No batteries and no bulbs to replace make these lights very good for travel. Typically the neck of the light will bend making packing easy.

These lights are not usually vey expensive. Most are $10 or less. It is probably true that you get what you pay for so if it is too cheap be aware that breakage is a possibility. The whole point of buying a light is to have it when you need it so buy a sturdy one. I have had good luck with the Kensington brand. Kensington has several notebook lights. A couple of them are called ‘USB Notebook Light Flylight” and they costs between $20 and $30 on Amazon.

Before buying a notebook light consider where you USB ports are located. Laptops with USB ports on the back may require a light with a longer neck that if the USB port was on the side.

Expect that one of these notebook lights will provide just enough light to navigate your keyboard. They are great during dark meetings and while surfing in bed where you do not want to disturb a partner. I often use my laptop in the car and one of these lights is a must once it gets dark outside.