Portable PCs: Computers are pretty powerful in this TU. At GTL-13, a portable PC is about the same form factor and weight of a present-day PDA, except it's a bit thicker. However, it uses a "small" non-volatile molecular storage (total capacity in the tens of terabytes), voice command, a CPU that is several orders of magnitude more powerful than the best present-day desktop, and has an integral holographic display. It can also be interfaced with full-scale holo or use an inductive (no plugs) neural interface. Integration with larger systems and networks is both wireless and relatively seamless.
Given the capabilities of portable PCs, they also fulfill the role that desktop computers used to back on 21st century Terra.
A typical portable PC is 7.5 ounces, and costs cr1200. Cheaper "slimline" models lack a holodisplay, but are thinner, lighter and significantly cheaper; 6 ounces, cr700. "Ruggedized", mil-spec versions of both types are available too, for 1.5 times listed cost.
Neural Interfaces: While the underlying technology for effective neural interfacing has been around for at least several hundred years, the concept couldn't be effectively marketed until the development of the first fully inductive interfaces in the 980's, shortly before the outbreak of the Rim War. Now, nearly a century and a half later, NIs are commonplace, and have become light, cheap and durable enough for everyday use. They are available in both adjustable and custom-fitted versions.
Adjustable NIs include flexible/telescoping sections to accommodate different-sized heads, but given their flexible construction they tend to be rather fragile and heavy. Also, they require several seconds of adjustment time before each use. Computer professionals refer to them disparagingly as "head-bugs", given their rather spidery appearance.
The custom ones have the same sort of internal hardware as the adjustable NIs, but given the custom fit the neural pickups are fixed in place inside of a half- inch thick one-piece case that fits close to the head like a medieval skullcap. The contacts can be adjusted to some degree, but only by opening the unit and applying electronics skill. Custom NIs a somewhat of a "prestige item", and ornate, custom decoration/styling is common.
A wide variety of non-conductive metal and polymer case styles are available for both types, including transparent or translucent ones.
On most CoL worlds, availability isn't a problem, although a custom NI could take a while to prepare depending on what sort of decoration is desired. If a purchaser doesn't already know their "mind measurements", a one hour fitting for a custom NI is also required. Prices/weights are below, at GTL13:
Adjustable, Beige or black opaque polymer case: 8 ounces, cr1500. Other case colors/styles available for cr100 more.
Custom: 6.5 ounces, start at cr3000 for a simple design.
Both adjustable and custom NIs run off of a rechargeable B-cell for six months/charge.
Printers: Standard printers at GTL-13 are 9"x3"x2", weigh 8 ounces empty, and cost cr100. They use 9"x1"x1", 8 ounce disposable media modules that affix to the side of the unit, and contain enough raw polymer and colorant to create 100 pages of photo-quality 2D duplex output for cr2/module. The resulting polymer sheets have the appearance and texture of high-quality paper.
There's also a "desktop publishing" model that allows for the creation of a variety of "paper" types and textures. These are 9"x4"x4", weigh 14 ounces empty, and cost cr250. These take a special "multipaper" media module that is 9"x1"x2", 12 ounces, and cr10/100 page module.
Finally, there is a specialized printer that is used to print certain official legal documents such as summonses and subpoenas that are still created using real paper and plain black text (by ancient tradition). The printers themselves are only 9"x2"x2" and weigh 6 ounces, but they use 9"x11.5 "x1", 1 pound, 100 sheet paper modules. The printer itself costs cr400, and each paper module costs cr10.
All printers use a rechargeable B cell which runs for about a month between charges with average usage.