April 4, 2006 (Computerworld) After the laptop goes into the bin in the airport security line, and you've emptied every tote and every pocket of wireless devices, are you still hoisting a heavy bag of tech accessories onto the scanner belt?
Tsk, tsk. With all the lightweight gadgets out there for road warriors these days, it's gotten much easier to stave off a trip to the chiropractor.
For instance, take a look at all those power adapters that you've just barely managed to stuff into your bag. Well, did you know that Kensington Computer Products Group makes a line of lightweight adapters that will power multiple devices? This means you can pare down the tangle of bulky cords and boxes to a single unit.
Kensington's 120-watt AC/DC adapter comes with a set of tips that fit a wide variety of notebooks and gadgets.
The adapter is skinny -- 5.6 in. long by 3.1 in. wide and 0.66 in. deep. The company claims that it's 40% lighter and smaller than most other chargers. Since it's AC/DC, you can plug it into properly outfitted planes, trains and automobiles, as well as any wall outlet.
Interestingly, the AC cord that plugs into the Kensington adapter is only a little over 6 in. long, which allows the box portion to dangle from the wall. According to an FAQ on the company's Web site, the shorter cord was a design decision meant to improve cable management (less bulk to roll up and tuck into a travel bag), as well as to allow for better air circulation around the dangling adapter, which doesn't end up sitting on the floor.
I found that even though the cord that runs from the other side of the Kensington box to my laptop is a little more than 3 feet shorter than the cord that came with my laptop, combined with the stubby AC cord, it's only about 12 inches shorter overall.
Kensington also makes 70-watt adapters ($119) for Apple notebooks, smaller notebooks and less power-hungry devices, and a splitter cable ($24.99) that will allow you to charge two devices at once.
A quick boost for your cell phone
The Turbo Charge uses a AA battery to recharge your cell phone in a pinch.
But what if you could run your phone off a single AA battery using a device that easily slips into a pocket or purse?
The Turbo Charge, introduced by Voxred International LLC at January's Consumer Electronics Show, will do just that. Three inches long, the Turbo Charge resembles a longish tube of lipstick (sorry, guys). To use it, you simply unscrew the bottom of the tube, pop in a AA battery (alkaline or lithium), attach an adapter that fits into your phone, plug in and keep talking.
For how long? The company says for up to two hours (40 hours standby). They also clearly point out that this gizmo will not fully recharge your phone, nor is it meant to replace your regular charger.
However, after successfully placing a call when my phone had drained down to one bar, I got distracted and left the Turbo Charge plugged in. I glanced at it about an hour and a half later, and the phone was up to a full charge and the AA battery was dead.
The instructions warn that it's best not to let your phone go completely dead before you hook up to the Turbo Charge. It can revive a dead phone, but that can take a few minutes.
When it's powering a phone, a cool blue light glows at the tip of the Turbo Charge. When it stops lighting up, it's time to change the battery. Note that the tube gets very warm while it's working, but not dangerously so.
Because the device runs off AA batteries, you don't have to worry about dragging along the right power adapter if your travels take you out of the country.
The Turbo Charge is available with a single phone adapter for $19.95 at www.turbocellcharge.com. Additional adapters can be purchased separately. It's scheduled to go on sale at retail outlets by April 15.
Michelle Johnson is a freelance writer in Boston. Her e-mail address is mijohn@mail-me.com.