What is a laptop skin and why would you want one? Well, have you seen the skins offered for cell phones, iPods or even online music players? In short, skins make gadgets you already have look different. Instead of buying new and wrecking your budget just because you are bored, purchase a skin and update your gadget.

Skins not only change the looks of your laptop, they also protect it from scratches and fingerprints. Skins are typically vinyl so they are easily cleaned. If you tire of one you can easily remove it and replace it with another. Add bling, flowers or graphics to suit your mood. Price wise laptop skins are very reasonably priced. I have seen prices starting at approximately $10 and most are priced under $40.

Skins are purchased according to the size of the laptop, for example your laptop may be a 12" while someone else may be 15" or a 17". Some skins are also sold according to what brand of laptop you have, for example a Sony versus a Toshiba.

Companies such as Designerskins offer custom sized skins for most any laptop. The unique designs are great and I found a few that I would love to have. One is called the "Money Machine" and I may end up with that one.

Another company named DecalGirl gives you the ability to design your own skins. They provide the template and you send them your design. They will then turn your design into a laptop skin.

SkynMobile offers laptop skins featuring a design made of real Swarovski Crystals. They also offer one that is white and can be airbrushed or decorated with markers.

Customizing your laptop reflects your personality. Gamers, business people, girlie girls, moms and dads all have special personalities that can be brought out by adding a skin to their laptop. Skins make great gifts for those that seemingly already have everything.