You can save a bundle on computer parts, cables and so on if you have a few of these handy.

Note: All these links will be from NewEgg, however you can pick up all of these items at almost any computer retailer.

6-pin to 4-pin Firewire adapter

Firewire cables are prohibitively expensive. Many laptops use 4-pin only. Desktop/Tower PC’s and Macs use 6-pin. Many camcorders use 4-pin. Rather than get the extra cable for your different Firewire-equipped devices, get the adapter instead.

DVI to VGA adapter

Reason for having this: So you can plug old monitors into your newer video card just in case it doesn’t have a VGA port on it.  Or alternatively plugging in a DVI monitor to a VGA video card just in case you have an older PC lying around and your monitor is DVI-only.

DVI to DVI adapter

Very handy if your computer monitor’s DVI cable is too short. With this you can extend it with another cable.

Laptop 2.5″ to 3.5″ IDE Hard Drive Adapter

If your laptop dies but the drive still works, you can still get to the data on the drive with one of these hooked up to your PC. You many never need it, but it’s good to have just in case.  To note: This adapter is universal.  It doesn’t mater what laptop you have; this adapter will work on your 2.5″ hard drive.

USB to Serial Converter

Sooner or later you may run into an ancient piece of computer hardware that operates on that old 9-pin serial interface. You can still use it with one of these converters.

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Some important notes

It is typical for converters and adapters to slow down the connection of one device to another and/or have not-at-peak performance. For example, when using an adapter for a monitor, it’s very possible for color output on the monitor to “not look right.”

Adapters and converters are small and can’t hold a great deal of weight. Don’t leave them hanging off anything with a cable plugged into them. Take care so you don’t bend or break anything.

If you carry a laptop around often, a good place to keep your adapters and converters is in the laptop bag so you don’t lose them and always know where they are.

If after buying some adapters and converters you find them very useful, buy spares. You will probably need them later if you lose one.