[H] Consumer reports smokes crack

[Thane Sherrington]

In the latest Consumer Reports here in Canada, they have a blurb on 
"The hidden costs of a new laptop" - "Don't for get to add in the 
prices of a padded carrying case ($50 and up), extra battery 
($100-$200), spare power adapter ($80 and up) and usb mouse 
($30.)  Your laptop's price tag often does not include these essential extras."

Well of course it doesn't.  They aren't essential - other than 
possibly the case.  The extra battery could be useful in some unusual 
circumstances, and I guess one could use an spare power adapter if 
one lost the original, but a mouse?  Come on.  Plus a USB mouse can 
be had as cheaply as $20.

I've used a laptop as my primary computer for about three years and 
all I have from this list of "essentials" is a carrying case 
($30.)  I'm not trusting Consumer Reports anymore when it comes to 
making purchases.

T