PC Accessories
When you live and die by the computer, sometimes the basics just aren't enough. Peruse our extensive catalogue and price comparison system to find all types of PC accessories, laptop accessories, and network accessories, including everything from coolers to sound supression to mere carrying
cases, from esteemed companies such as Kensington, Sony, Creative, Compaq, IBM, HP, and many more. Add your own review to our database and share your experience with other interested members concerning notebook and desktop accessories like system modding. Your participation helps determine that if you made a mistake, no one else has to. Compare prices and buy the cheapest carrying case, processor cooler, computer accessory and mobile phone accessory online!
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Targus Lap Comfort Mat
by Nar2 As many of you may know it was my birthday recently in early March and upon looking in an independent hard ware shop in town because I received birthday vouchers from one of my friends, I gingerly looked around the store to see what my vouchers could buy. There were lots of things from gadgets like USB lights that you can plug into your ... computer for portable lights to USB powered gadgets that really wouldn't make my life easier other than to clog up an already busy work station at home and largely there wasn't much to see at the time of purchase. Over household appliances and scented candles, I'm very much at home in a computer or hardware store. Something always catches my eyes and something always makes me think rather than impulse buying when it comes to computer accessories. That is when my eyes found the laptop accessory section and one gadget I knew I couldn't live without - a laptop tray cushion or a laptop stand that could be quite useful to have at home when I'm watching television. Whilst it would be useful to have at home, a portable laptop stand for my knees would be perfect for work, especially in meetings where I find it a lot easier to take the minutes just by having my laptop with me. I've already tried the alternative - those tea trays with the bean cushions attached but even with a rubberised base, the laptops don't sit properly and end up being a rather cumbersome affair when the computer can't be angled. Without a tray, the laptop ends up giving me burning knees and dependent on the computer in question, it can be uncomfortable due to the flat bases that some laptops have (Mac and my Dell) compared to older work laptops that have jutting bits of plastic that end up digging into my thighs or knees. The Product, The Price & The Promise At the time of purchase there were two options - a dark grey tea tray style laptop tray with a huge swathe of plastic complete with round pen tidy partitions and a cover that swung over to lock it all down with a detachable side on USB "bendy metal spine" light sited on the right hand side. The cost price of £25-99 wasn't too bad but the overall look and size put me right off compared to the much thinner light grey and white colour mix Targus laptop "Comfort" stand priced at £15-99 without any feature other than a "free" 3GB memory stick taped to its package sleeve. After purchasing my Intenso 32GB memory stick, it seemed like a waste of a free offer - but you can't knock a memory stick back, regardless of whether its free or not - and I was quite taken with the more streamlined, basic design that Targus offer here with their "AWE62EU," Comfort Mat product, not just being impressed with the computer stand I had bought months earlier also made by Targus. As with most things these days that constitute as a computer peripheral, you usually get what you pay for or find that there's a rather useful added plus to the design. Here, Targus present a white and grey PVC light grey Neoprene permanently backed top and base stand designed on an angle like a "folder binder". The design is suitable for laptops to be placed up to 17" sizes and lower, with handy rubberised "teeth" at either side to store cables out of the way as well as an extremely handy storage section inside that comprises of pockets and nets to store other peripherals. Complete with twin roller locks at the bottom section, this laptop lap stand is quite compact and measures approximately 38cm by 30cm with a height of 5.3cm at the highest angle/bridge. At the top, Targus have lined a plastic rubberised ventilation grid in which the laptop of choice is placed, to aid cooling in use with section base grippers to hold the laptop in place and a soft rubberised main carry handle to transport. Who said anything about being basic? General Impressions/Quality Generally if you have owned a Targus product before, the quality to the eye and fingers is often hit and miss due to the Chinese construction and production in tandem. For the price I paid, I think Targus have produced a reasonable product here with only a few downsides where the quality is concerned. With the use of my old Macbook 13.3" and Dell Lattitude 15", both laptops are extremely secure on the rubberised grid plate that seems to grip the computer bases very easily. The stitching of the pockets inside the laptop stand for example are okay and feel as if they are made to carry bulky peripherals and whilst there is a central pocket that can take a few peripherals, both the central pocket and the two smaller pockets located at the top have been stitched in tightly, suggesting that only lighter, thinner accessories can be stored on board such as cables, in-ear headphones and possibly at a push, even an iPod or mp3 portable player of almost all kinds of sizes. Thin slim memory external hard drives can also be stored, but they have to be of the type that mirror my 'super slim' Hitachi G-drive I bought last year, suitable for use with my Macbook Air. I didn't buy the Targus stand because of extra storage "on the go," but rather for sole use to balance my laptop on my knees for note taking and general work purposes, though the accessory storer slots inside are very handy to have as a bit of a bonus! The weight of this laptop stand is approximately 1kg. Therefore the total weight suggests that whilst it is suitable for purpose, it isn't really designed to be overloaded with kit as the plastics just won't stand up to being used as a carrier for major PC/Mac peripherals or heavy, bulky accessories. General Performance & Downsides Although I took this stand in the shop and thought that it would be ideal for work, I've since discovered that it works well both at home and at work, sited on my compact table in my bedroom or on my knees at work when working portable style. Initially when I took it into work with me, I found the Targus AWE62EU to be very easy to work and its handy slim design means it can be stored like a normal A4 folder binder, put upright on a shelf when not required. However, the size of it does not fit into a laptop case with the intention to zip up and lock the case up after use, regardless of whether your laptop carry case can accept up to 19" laptops. This is because of the width and general size of the Targus AWE62EU being a touch too bulky. Of course it will fit into a larger case should you leave it unzipped and privy to nosey people or the weather outside - but you won't be able to zip up the case because of its initial bulk. Thus, this laptop mat stand really requires a bag of its own to accommodate it in, should you wish to travel with it. Otherwise I find the Targus laptop store mat to be a great friend to work with. The biggest advantage I like is that of the rubberised teeth on either side of the laptop stand where the cable from my Apple MagSafe charger can be threaded through from placing the charger inside on top of one of the net pockets, or even making a hole in one of the pockets to actually thread the cable through that and then through one of the 40 "size sloped" rubber teeth ensures excess cable worries are banished for good. Same with applying a corded mouse, threading it through both sides of the sloping teeth to ensure less excess cable, if working on a table and only using the track pad aboard the computers of choice when working with the case on my knees. The Neoprene layer on the base is comfortable but rather thin to the eye. Here you don't get a bean bag filled cushion that will mould to your knees but the Neoprene material itself has a good effect of not becoming too hot generated by the heat in my body, after sitting for a long time. The computers in general, be them Macbooks or PC laptops also get a generous surface area where the top ventilation grid gives the computer a chance to cool down whilst being worked with. Granted whilst Apple's Macbooks have vents above by the keyboard at the bottom of the screen, the battery on the base still gets hot and the ventilation grid on the Targus gives the heat a chance to dissipate and escape. In short, Targus have produced a lightweight laptop stand suitable for purpose, even if after a couple of hours, the actual weight of the computer of choice in question starts to get a bit heavy for my knees to contend with. However, I'd rather have the Targus than have nothing at all for support- the previous roasting I get with both laptops is uncomfortable, both with the flat design, excess cables everywhere and then the heat that both the Macbook 13.3" and Dell generate when made to be used cordless without their chargers added. The Macbook Air-11 seems to work better with this kind of stand as well as the fact that the ventilation top grid has removable bolsters that allow you to lock the base of the computer into the stand, ensuring it won't fall down as a precautionary design element. As a bonus I find that my tiny, thin Macbook Air can also be hidden away in this case and used as a carry case - as I suspect most netbooks that measure 11 inches or less would also suffice. Another issue then is the fact that whilst the Targus AWE62EU is a cost effective laptop stand, the interior seems to have been made very much for the Apple user as opposed to PC laptop users. This is largely down to the compact interior inside that can just about take the bulky battery charger of my Dell at a push compared to comfortably accommodating just abut all kinds of Apple Macbook accessory without exerting pressure on the stand - especially if you lock it down securely with the two roller locks at the end of the stand. The largest downside to the Targus AWE62EU is the availability aspect. It was a stand that was produced in 2004 and was on sale for quite a few number of years to 2011, making it more of a "trader" product that would be available in off line high street independent shops rather than franchises like Maplin. Online, www.play.com used to sell this stand as did a number of sellers including Amazon UK. Other Sorts & Final Thoughts Targus also produce a rather expensive alternative with a fan-fitted "cooling laptop mat," known as the "Chilli Laptop Mat," but it is in no way the same to the more basic laptop stand being offered here and it is quite pricey costing £23 to £60 for the added USB cord attached fan cooling system on board. Thus, it is handy to shop around for the Targus AWE62EU if you want a product that is cost effective and far simpler. To conclude then, in an age where net books and laptops are becoming smaller, Targus would make a killing again with this base stand at universities alone! The AWE62EU laptop stand is sensibly designed, slightly bulky but above all gives my knees comfort when I have to work with laptops in general that require to be used portably without being chained to a table. My computers are also less likely to over heat thanks to the protective rubberised ventilation top and though it is without question, hard to find, it is one of the more compact units on the market that offers users comfort and accommodation for accessories. Above all else, though it is made of lightweight plastic, for the price I paid, it is a far slimmer effort than what I would have ended up with. Thanks for reading. ©Nar2 2013. www.targus.com Read the complete review |
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Hama Piccolino Micro USB Charging/Sync Adaptor
by blissman70 These days my life seems to be about jumping from my phone to my laptop, transferring data to and fro, trying to be as secure as I possibly can so that, A, no one else sees my work before they have to, and D, so that it makes it from one to the other without disappearing into the big data base in the sky. To transfer data from my ... phone to my laptop, and visa-versa, I used to use wires in order to get the job done quickly and securely, carrying the quite lengthy wire with me where ever I went, which wasn't a major problem, more of a nuisance, especially when it cam to unravelling the wire in order to connect the two devices together. Then, when I saw a friend of mine using what looked like a rather strange looking black object which seemed to be attaching her laptop to her mobile phone. At first I thought it was some kind of locking mechanism, a new fangled device, some kind of updated Kensington lock. But when I saw that it was stuck into the USB port of her laptop I became really confused, which at the time wasn't that hard considering the day that I was having. In my confused state, with curiosity getting the better of me, I decided to go over and ask what exactly was connecting her laptop and mobile phone together. After she gave me a strange look, which seemed to mean "go away, I'm busy, leave me alone", she explained that it was a data-slash-charger unit, which actually made one of my eyebrows rise slightly as I took another look at the two small black rectangular sections that were slotted into the ports of her laptop and phone and connected by a short cable. So, after a bit more harassment of her, annoying her until she finally flipped, she eventually told me what it was and exactly what it did. In fact, with-in minutes, I really wanted one of them that much that I was straight on line ordering one fro myself, which, once delivered, I have carried with me ever since, using on a daily basis, several times a day in fact. The device I am talking about is from a company called Hama, with this particular device being the Hama Piccolino USB to micro USB charger/sync adaptor. * So, what exactly is this device then..? This is a straight forward looking black box, although it's defiantly not as strong as the black box that you find in a plane that always seems to be the only thing to survive the crash. (I wonder if I can get a suit made of the same material..? Just in case). It's purpose is to get your data from A to B in exactly the same way as a long wire, only with this small thing there's never any of that entangled annoyance that you get when dragging out your wires from you laptop case. * And what does it look like..? It's a small box, as I said. When closed it is roughly 60mm by 45mm by 10mm thick, looking a little like the larger end of a standard car key, the type that have batteries inside them for central locking vehicles. There is a hole in one corner which is designed to allow you to fit this box onto a key ring, which then sits there like any other key fob unit and is a nice size in order not to dig into your thigh as you walk along the street or sit in the chair in your local pub. When you open this up, pulling the two halves apart, you reveal two little metal connectors, one on either half of the split box. On one side there is a standard USB connector. On the other side there is a micro USB connector, with the two halves of the box being held nicely together with a flexible piece of strong rubbery plastic. When you close the unit the two connectors slot nicely into the holes that are on the opposite sections to the connector. In other words, on each side of the unit there is a connector and a slot. So one side has a standard USB connector with a micro USB connector slot at the side of it, with the other piece having the micro SD connector and a standard size USB slot at its side. The connecting wire that holds the two halves together is quite short and, when you close the halves together, the wire then slots neatly into the grooves along the top end of the unit, fitting snugly around, leaving no over hang that looks out of place. To add a little style there are a few tiny indentations on the body of this which make it look more like a car key fob in any ones eyes. * Is it easy to use..? If you've ever used the normal wire that comes with many mobile phones in order to get the data across, or even to charge your phone, then you'll know exactly how easy it is to plug one end into you phone and the other end into the USB on your PC. And this device is just the same, only there's less wire. You simply open it up by pulling the sides apart, which is easy in itself, then slot the small connector into your phone. Then, with your phone lay next to your PC, you slot the standard size USB connector into your PC. You don't even have to wait for the drivers to load up as it's the drivers from you phone that are the ones it needs, this is simply replacing the wire that you usual use. Then it's about transferring the data to and from your phone. * Is it any good..? Without a doubt it is as good as the wire that I got with my phone, only now I don't have the hassles of having the quarter metre of cable stuck in my pocket. It's transfer speeds are as quick as any wire, basically as it is still using the wire system and not a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which makes it secure as well. When you've finished doing what you're doing it simply close up and goes back into a pocket, looking like any other fob that you have on your key ring * My Opinion... As I said earlier I used to use a wire to transfer my data from phone to laptop, and back again, but once I started using this lovely little thing I haven't looked back since. I find it to be just the right size, about the size of a small match box, and with the gap for the key ring attaching there's no real danger of losing it once it's attached to a key ring. Then, together with my keys, it's always with me so I can use it where ever I go. It is easy to split open, although when I say split I don't mean that when it is split it is broken, I mean that it splits in half to reveal the two connectors that are cleverly hidden, and well protected, inside the strong plastic casing. I use this quite a bit, not only when I need to transfer something from my phone to my laptop, or visa-versa. I also use this to charge my phone if I need to when I'm out and about without my normal charger. The main reason I use this out and about is that it's there with me all the time that I am out. It's on my key ring with my car keys so if I'm out somewhere then this is with me and it's easier to carry around than a length of wire. When it folds away into what is really a key fob it is just so well made, with even the 'wire' that connects the two halves together being neatly housed in the upper body of the unit itself. The edges are nicely curved all round so that there's no danger of poking things that shouldn't be poked, which could turn out to be painful if they were poked. Then, to finish it off and make it look a little more stylish instead of just a plain piece of plastic, there is a lovely little section of indents which do look quite nice indeed. * So how much would one expect to pay for this connector..? One, (stop being posh)..., You would expect to pay about £12.00 for this handy little connector which may seem a little on the high side, considering that the normal cables are only about a fiver, but the way this is designed to fit on a key ring and the way that it actually fits into place is well worth the extra few quid. Would I recommend this lovely little device..? Well, you may guess from the question what the answer is. I would recommend this without a doubt as it is not only useful, it is very portable and it really does save on carrying any form of wires around with me It is well worth the money that I spent on this without a doubt. In fact, I think I may have even paid £15.00 for this one as I really like this indeed. ©Blissman70 2013 Read the complete review |
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Cyber Clean
by Autarkis It must be said that I do like my computers and modern gadgets. However, one thing that I don't like about them is cleaning them. As I'm a heavy computer user, I find that I often snack whilst working. This is never a good idea, as crumbs end up falling between the keys never to be retrieved again. In addition to this, keyboards tend to ... collect all manner of debris and over time this starts to look unsightly. I hate working from a dirty keyboard. I have tried various ways to remove the dirt from the depths of my keyboard, as well as all other nooks and crannies on my laptop and table top computer. There are many different products that are designed to clean computers and get rid of the dirt from keyboards. I have tried many of them, from the air canister which is supposed to blast out the dirt with a forceful blast of air. Not forgetting the cute little vacuums that have been designed to suck the dirt out, which have never proved to do much at all. Too many cleaning solutions, and in my desperation a cotton bud and a toothbrush have also been subjected to my keyboard in a bid to make it look cleaner. All of these methods have failed miserably, and have only left me feeling frustrated. General cleaning products tend to leave sticky residue between the keys which only adds to the grunge. >> What Lurks Beneath? It doesn't sound very nice, does it? However, have a close look between the keys and be horrified by all the debris that is collected here. Whenever my regular keyboard for my tabletop computer becomes to icky and not pleasant to use, past all hope and after my best efforts of cleaning, I end up looking for a new keyboard. Luckily now, I have found a wonderful keyboard that prevents dirt from falling between the keys - result. However, my trusty, old and worn out laptop has reached the top of the grime factor. The keys on the laptop are not as rugged and need a bit of care when trying to clean between them. Whilst one of the main keys is loose, I cannot replace my keyboard, not until it dies. I have spent far too long building it up and have it just the way I want it. I had given up looking for new fangled products, and just tend to wipe it over on a daily basis and hope for the best. Whilst I don't really snack too much whilst using my laptop, it still collects a fair amount of dust and grime. >> A Solution Presents Itself Whilst shopping in Asda I was idly looking around and noticed the Cyber Clean. I remember all the hype when this product hit the market, and how different it was. I never purchased any at the time, as it seemed quite pricey and with previous products failing me, I was in no hurry to spend my hard earned cash on what seemed like another novel item. However, this _Cyber Clean_ caught my eye, being a good buy at only £2.50, so I thought it was worth a punt. I was hopeful, and new my computer could do with a little bit of a clean. When I got home I couldn't wait to try it out, I was rather excited at the concept. My partner pulled it out from the pack whilst being horrified from the jelly-like texture. It does have a rather unusual texture that doesn't break even when stretched. It is a rather bright yellow colour, and has no chemical odour to it. >> Yellow Goo To The Rescue! The instructions are simple. You are to squeeze the product in your hands for 10 seconds prior to use to allow the ph to adjust. Now all that you need to do is press the gooey yellow stuff onto the keyboard, which is best done whilst the computer is turned off. It can be pressed firmly, and I was eager to see what was lifted, if anything at all! Eww - my word, it certainly did pick up a lot of dirt. Yuck! I was impressed though, and proceeded to clean the keyboard, whilst inspecting the product after removing it each time. It was quite good to see it was removing a lot of dirt. The bright yellow really helps to show up anything that is grabbed. The gloopy textured is not sticky, but it is squishy so it moulds into any small spaces, allowing it to reach areas that are difficult to get to. Once lifted the product is to be folded over itself to trap the dirt inside it, and this is said to keep your hands clean and it allows it to be used over and over again. It is said to kill 80 % of germs. This I have no way of knowing, but it has to be good to get rid of all that dirt. Once finished you won't actually believe how effective it is. It is amazing just how much cleaner my keyboard looks, and how fresh it actually feels. It is a dream to use now, and it feels much nicer when typing, plus it looks a lot healthier. Result. What an impressive product, which I wasn't sure how good it would be. This is something I will be recommended to others, as I think it is fantastic. I went on a bit of a mission after this, and tackled all the gadgets in the living area to see if the results would be just as good. Despite my best efforts of cleaning, I generally wipe down all the surfaces once or twice a week. I just don't get the same time or energy to be able to clean any more frequently. The nooks and crannies do look dusty even after cleaning I'm able to see bits of dust and debris in those areas with cannot be reached. The computer, TV and games console area tend to attract dust, and in places where it just won't completely clean. >> Not Just For Keyboards I used the gloopy compound on the phone, and found dirt that I couldn't even see after pressing it onto the buttons. I used it all over the areas on the phone where it is impossible to clean, and a lot of dirt came out, considering the phone actually looks clean! Then I moved onto the main keyboard and although this is designed to not let dirt collected between the keys, it did lift the surface dirt effectively. Then I was eager to use it on the speakers, as these always look dusty! As they have that thin mesh material over they are impossible to clean. Wow, they now look like new. I moved onto the top of the monitor, as this is quite ancient and bulky, so it collects a fair share of dust. It worked well here, too. I proceeded to clean the Wii, which is nestled in a tight spot and it seems to collect dust, and be quite difficult to clean. The Wii is held in a unit that charges both of the controllers, and this area has small nooks and crannies which are difficult to clean. It now looks white and pristine clean again. I was starting to have fun by this point, and was keen to work my way through the rest of the items. The computer tower was next, and this certainly attracts dust. The front of the tower has a circular mesh speaker which doesn't take long to be coated in a nice layer of dust. This never looks clean no matter what I use. Wow, it certainly does now. Literally anything that had vents, speakers, buttons or anything of the sort I used this _Cyber Clean_ on. The entertainment area of the lounge has had a good makeover and looks better than ever. It took literally minutes to work my way through all the items. Each item was left looking like new. All the dust, debris and particles were life each time. After giving everything in the lounge a going over with I could see the product was starting to lose colour, as well as looking a bit grubby. It was looking the vibrant colour it did when it was taken from the packet. All of the dirt is visible, even though it is trapped in the product. I certainly put it through its paces and used it on everything imaginable. I was determined once started, and the results were impressive which encourage me to keep going. I wasn't disappointed that it only had one good use, as this was a good use. The amount of dirt that was removed was astounding. I have gone on to buy another two packs, and I know the next will last longer, as there is less dirt in the places where it is best to clean. I imagine this will only need to be used weekly to grab any remnants from devices that don't appreciate being scrubbed in water. >> Keeping The Goo The product is to be stored back into its original packaging to help it retain it and keep it fresh and from drying out. The dirt actually gets trapped in the product, and this is a great idea. It leaves no mess behind and the keys remain intact with no ill effects. I am so impressed that I will be trying it out on other gadgets in the home that collect dust. This can be a bit costly to buy on-line at around £7, however, it can be found cheaper if you shop around. It is certainly worth £7, as it does a brilliant job, and I've not found anything else to help salvage my keyboard and bring it up fresh and clean. It doesn't leave any residue behind, and there is no moisture, so the keyboard remains dry. I just know that you will be eager to try this, and like me you will have to examine it after each use. It is amazing what it picks up. >> Goo To Stay I will certainly be buying a couple more packs to store in the cupboard for when it needs replacing. It is said that when it loses its colour it is time to replace it. This is handy, and good to know. Once it reaches this stage it just won't be effective any longer. It is a simple and satisfying product that I wish I had tried sooner. I am sure this is going to be a staple item that is going to get plenty of use from us. It can be used to clean computers, keyboards, phones, MP3 players, remote control and games consoles. You get the idea, anything that has little crevices that are impossible to clean. Have a quick look into your keyboard - what do you see? Oh, I think you need a Cyber Clean today. Read the complete review |
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1 review PC Accessory / Brand: Amazon |
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Brand: Marware / PC Accessory / Designed For: Kindle Fire |
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PC Accessory / Brand: Amazon |
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PC Accessory / Docking station - LAN 10Mb LAN, 100Mb LAN |
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PC Accessory / Docking station - HP docking solutions include a range of convenient expansion solutions that easily connect to your HP Business Notebook. Create an ideal desktop computing environment using comfort-focused docking stations and stands that provide po... |
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PC Accessory / Docking station - for EliteBook 2170p, 8XXXw, 8XXXw; ProBook 6XXXb - HP offers a full line of docking stations designed exclusively for select HP business notebook platforms so you can maintain the connectivity and comfort of your laptop at a fixed s... |
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PC Accessory / Tablet PC carrying case - black, wasabi - Initially designed for the Apple notebooks, LA robe is made in a soft, shape-memory material, ideal to dress your notebook in an original fashion while protecting it from mobile life worries. |
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PC Accessory / Anti-static bag (pack of 50 ) - These reliable and durable Anti Static Bags provide a complete static safe environment. They are just what you need for storing and transporting static sensitive devices like electronic components. |
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PC Accessory / Notebook screen protector |
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PC Accessory / Tablet PC protective case - black |
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