Most Popular Computer Accessories of All Time

 Accessories can make or break the perfect outfit -- the right ones can really help you look your best. Computer accessories are similar -- certain accessories can help you get the most out of your computer. Devices such as a mouse help you to operate your system, and helpful tools such as thumb drives allow you to back up and share data between different computers or users. Some accessories can make you more efficient or productive, and others are just plain fun and stylish. The latest accessories can even help you update an older system without the expense and inconvenience of purchasing a new computer. Before you shop for new computer gadgets, take a look at this list of the top 10 computer accessories and learn how each can benefit you. Would this office really look -- or be -- as productive without the computer accessories?

Flash Drive: 

Flash drives -- also called thumb drives or USB drives -- offer one of the easiest and most efficient methods of moving and sharing files between different computers or users. These devices plug into the USB port on your computer to upload or download data, and then store the information for up to 10 years without the need for batteries or other power sources [source:Maran]. Best of all, most USB drives are about the size of a stick of gum, allowing them to fit comfortably in your pocket or on a key ring.

Early flash drives came with a high price tag and held relatively small amounts of data. Today, technology has improved so much that you can store any number of large files at very little cost. In fact, many companies give flash drives away for free as part of product promotions or marketing plans. Some contain sneak peaks of new games or software programs, and others simply serve as a business card for the company. Users can access the data on the drive, then simply delete any unwanted information and reuse the drive again and again.

Card-based Computing

With the convenience of the flash drive and the speed of modern computers, it's hard to believe how complex and difficult computing could be during its early days. Through the 1970s, users relied on a system of punch cards to store data and run programs. Each card represented a single line of programming, and the entire stack of cards had to be kept in careful order to ensure the system would operate as intended.