4 Innovative Laptop Accessories You Can 3D Print at Home

A 3D printer serves as a wonderful asset for your household, allowing the creation of an array of oddly useful items with just some filament. Simply upload your desired print from your laptop and wait as it generates various items at the push of a button. For those eager to be a bit inventive, some of these prints can even cater to enhancing your laptop’s utility.

While laptops offer remarkable functionality, they aren’t always flawless. Over time, they can incur damage or may not possess certain desirable features. Fortunately, a selection of ingeniously crafted accessories can be produced through 3D printing, resolving both issues efficiently. These accessories are generally compact and uncomplicated, meaning you don’t require a high-end 3D printer to create them, although using one may enhance the quality of your output.

Many contemporary laptops are equipped with touchscreens, enhancing user interaction beyond traditional input methods like the mouse and keyboard. For instance, Framework, a brand known for making upgradable laptops, offers a touchscreen variant within its 12-inch model, which can be paired with a stylus. However, lack of a dedicated storage place for the stylus means users often need to carry it separately, heightening the risk of misplacement.

Here’s where a 3D printer steps in. By creating a stylus USB holder, designed by Aikhae, you can fashion a convenient attachment for your laptop to keep the stylus close at hand. This holder utilizes one of the laptop’s USB ports, rendering it a straightforward fix. Before getting started, ensure you check that the holder’s dimensions fit your stylus (the model was previously tested on the Wacom Bamboo Ink gen 2). It’s also wise to verify that the printed accessory won’t cause any damage, as having an ill-fitted piece could lead to complications inside your USB port.

A number of laptops feature ventilation holes on their underside, a design element often questioned due to its frequent blockage when placed on flat surfaces. To combat the problem of stagnant hot air, increasing the device’s height from its resting place can facilitate proper airflow around these vents.

You might consider producing a laptop stand, ideal for novice 3D printers; however, if you prefer a more compact solution, the Support legs designed by Maxmaia make for an excellent and minimalist choice. These add-ons raise the device slightly, permitting ample air circulation for its vents to function effectively. Although many other small plastic components could also do the trick, a well-designed vent-supporting print ensures the laptop’s stability as well.

No matter how robust certain laptop brands may seem, regular usage leads to inevitable wear and tear. Hinges can weaken, casings may crack, and the laptop’s top section can become disconnected from the base. If replacement isn’t a viable option, or if you wish to hold onto a device for sentimental reasons, bolstering its protection becomes essential.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a universal protection solution for laptops; however, by utilizing 3D printing, you can create specific protective gear for your make and model. A user named HeyVye on Thingiverse has developed a series of protective corners for the MSI GS73, comprised of four components that wrap around the device’s edges. Such a design helps in safeguarding the laptop from opening unexpectedly during drops, thus preserving both the screen and keyboard. Additionally, these protective parts can function as ventilation feet, although their specific shape may not be suitable for all laptops.