Step-By-Step: Eight Tips to Tame Cables

You've lived with that tangle of cords behind your PC long enough.

Don't look now, but it's a jungle back there. We're talking about the back of your PC, where the cables that tie together the parts, pieces, and peripherals of your computer tend to end up in a messy jumble of interlacing wires. It's unsightly, inconvenient, and even dangerous--if you have small children or pets. And cable overload has another drawback, too: The more wires you add, the harder it is to trace connections when changing hardware or troubleshooting problems.

Luckily, you don't have to be Martha Stewart to make this mess more presentable. Various products are designed to tame cable clutter, ranging in price from a few bucks to $100. Pick and choose what's right for your installation--but any of these products can help make your PC setup a bit more convenient to work with and a lot more pleasant to look at.

Stan Miastkowski is a contributing editor for PC World.

Heads Up

>>TIP No matter which method of cable clutter control you use, it's a good idea to keep AC power cables separate from other cables. To eliminate AC hum in your speakers, try to keep AC and speaker cables at right angles.

>>TIP Use short cables.

Peripherals (like printers, modems, and scanners) usually come with cables, but they're often much longer than they need to be. You can eliminate lots of clutter by purchasing correct-length cables instead of leaving long cables dangling or coiled on the floor. You'll find a wide range of cable lengths at most computer and office-supply dealers.

>>TIP Use cable ties and clips.

Cable ties (A) and cable clips (B) are the cheapest way to bundle groups of cables. Ties are inexpensive, and come in many colors and lengths.

>>TIP Use split tubing.

Split tubing, as the name implies, is flexible tubing that's split along one side, so you can easily tuck cables inside.

>>TIP Use a cable organizer.

Sometimes called a "cable tunnel," this is a box or set of slotted guides that mounts on a wall or your desk and lets you wrap and tuck cables inside it.

>>TIP Use a power center for AC cables.

Having one place to plug in all your AC cables can eliminate lots of clutter. Some power centers sit on the floor or mount on a wall; some sit underneath a monitor. They also provide surge protection and let you switch peripherals on and off conveniently.

>>TIP Use USB peripherals.

USB keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, and other peripherals (A) can plug into each other, eliminating long runs of multiple cables. Alternatively, you can use USB hubs to organize multiple connections. IEEE 1394 (FireWire) hubs (B) offer the same advantages for high-performance peripherals.

>>TIP Go wireless.

The ultimate way to eliminate cables is to avoid using them. Though you can't get rid of cables altogether, wireless keyboards and mice are available, as are Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi5 wireless networks. And though Bluetooth wireless peripherals are still rare, that technology holds promise.

The Top Down

Benefits: Keep cables organized for safety and convenience.

Cost: $5 to $100 and up

Expertise level: Beginner

Time required: 30 to 60 minutes

Tools required: Cutter pliers, screwdriver

Vendors: Belkin, Fellowes, Office Depot, RadioShack , Stacks and Stacks , Staples