Filed under: Accessories, Portables
Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger
Obviously there's nothing exactly Mac specific about the Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger, but at the same time the promo picture (right) and the design cues make it clear that the boys at Belkin had the fairer platform in mind when they dreamed this one up. In any case, this stylish surge protector power strip looks like it would be right at home in any mobile Mac user's bag. It includes two powered USB ports for charging iPhones, iPods, and the like, as well as three AC outlets. Note that the USB ports are only for power, not data. I think I'll definitely be picking one up when it ships.The Belkin Mini Surge Protector is "coming soon" for $24.99.
[via Crave]
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
motech said 10:23AM on 3-12-2008
sooo . .you dont really come up with new stories . .
you just reproduce them / gather from the web for this site . .
cool.
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DagMX said 10:37AM on 3-12-2008
news always comes from somewhere. If you don't like what you're getting move on, you're not paying for it.
Ed said 10:41AM on 3-12-2008
That's basically how it works motech. I use TUAW as a source for the articles that my newsreader occasionally misses.
You sometimes have to wait a few days longer, but most stuff ends up here eventually.
There are a few original posts, but usually just iPhone command line stuff or novelty items.
motech said 10:45AM on 3-12-2008
makes sense ed . .
i do love tuaw. dont get me wrong . .
i actually hit this page 5-20 times a day.
engadget and gizmodo as well..
tuaw def has its place . . but its sometimes annoying
how they post it as their own story 3 days later. maybe next time just give credit/link to the site they read it on . . .
Ed said 10:48AM on 3-12-2008
There's usually a link at the end of the post...
motech said 10:53AM on 3-12-2008
gizmodo posted this yesterday.
http://gizmodo.com/366244/belkins-mashup-surge-protector-and-usb-charger-is-perfect-tiny
maybe start the article with - saw this great article on gizmodo that reminded me of a product i wanted to write about but forgot to until news got slow enough for me to remember . . sooo hear it is . .a cute lil surge that mac lovers could really enjoy . .
o wait - since giz is engadgets rival,
does that make tuaw their rival too?
maybe thats why no credit is due?
either way . .
keep up the good work guys!
i love slow days . .
Eugene said 11:01AM on 3-12-2008
That would be the [via Crave] link you see there...
motech said 11:10AM on 3-12-2008
D'oH!
maybe im just bored and complainy today . .
i stand corrected . .
JClark said 11:05AM on 3-12-2008
Why go through all of that "I saw this story" business when everyone who reads a new aggregator site like this knows that already? This isn't a journalism site, it's a place where news stories (and, of course, the occasional original opinion piece) of a particular type are brought together. If you want to see the source, just click the link at the end of every story.
You're asking them to not only go through a few unnecessary extra steps, you're suggesting something that would undermine the atmosphere and flow of the posts.
david said 12:44PM on 3-12-2008
if you're unhappy about getting your news on the internet too slowly, get away from your computer and go find the news as it happens. or better yet, make the news.
this site isn't even really about news. it's more like internet hell where everyone goes just to piss and moan- myself included as clearly illustrated by this rant.
thank you, TUAW. i think your site is convenient and well laid out. it loads quickly which is number one for me, my computer is ancient. and i appreciate you all for putting this information in a single space on the web for me without all the mucky muck of other tech blogs. :)
motech said 1:24PM on 3-12-2008
it for some reason loads slow as balls on the iphone though,
makes me wonder why such an apple oriented site doesnt have an iphone.tuaw.com site? (similar to digg etc)
well thanks for the info , the time capsule post was actually great today.
michael Dougan said 10:33AM on 3-12-2008
The photograph is misleading! Sheesh. How many people's homes have an electrical socket conveniently in the middle of the wall like that? Most homes, they're right there at floor level. Not the most convenient place for a USB connection.
Reply
DagMX said 10:57AM on 3-12-2008
just leave the USB cable plugged in? I mean, most USB cables are long enough that it really is't different then plugging in a regular charger
madgunde said 12:15PM on 3-12-2008
"The photograph is misleading! Sheesh. How many people's homes have an electrical socket conveniently in the middle of the wall like that? Most homes, they're right there at floor level. Not the most convenient place for a USB connection."
Since this product is designed for mobile users, it's not misleading, since a lot of hotel rooms have sockets at desk height. Unless you are somehow claiming that desk-height outlets don't exist ANYWHERE, I fail to see how you can have the audacity to claim that the photo is misleading.
The whole point of this product is you only have to carry one accessory to charge all your USB peripherals and laptop from one outlet. In the case of USB peripherals, you don't even need your AC adapter!
As a side note, are TUAW readers always so bitchy?
Ben said 10:57AM on 3-12-2008
Given the product's appearance alone and when plugged in, the plug appears to rotate.
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Tim Irwin said 11:44AM on 3-12-2008
Just curious since I once had a problem with a car charger that drained my Iphone battery juice instead of charging it.(other users of the Iphone have documented the same issue) Would you be able to charge say a 3rd generation Ipod and an Iphone at the same time?
Things that make you go Hmmm?
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raleedy said 12:14PM on 3-12-2008
Tell me it's safe for 220V and I'm in.
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michael said 3:40PM on 3-12-2008
"Since this product is designed for mobile users, it's not misleading, since a lot of hotel rooms have sockets at desk height. Unless you are somehow claiming that desk-height outlets don't exist ANYWHERE, I fail to see how you can have the audacity to claim that the photo is misleading.
The comment about it being misleading was playful, not a meaningful critique of the product. Having said that, it does suggest a kind of visibility and convenience that is only true in an extremely rare circumstance. Even for the most mobile of travelers, Hotel rooms account for a fraction of their overall computing time, the majority of it still spent locally, at home, work, or nearby cafe. And only a small fraction of Hotels have outlets anywhere other than down at the floor level, usually under the desk or table--excluding the bathroom, which have outlets for hair dryers and electric shavers--floor level is still the standard location. I was only pointing out that it's an unusual placement, the photo doesn't aim to accurately represent average use. It's more of an idealized view. Does it make the product any less useful, or less cool? Not necessarily. It appears to be a pretty nifty gadget, even used in more realistic circumstances, I actually like it.
Disclosure: my own home has one outlet in the middle of the wall. I plug my Airport Express into that spot. But that's only because I asked my electrician to put it there when we remodeled our house. Like most people, I'm aware of how rare that placement is, in a home, at work, or while traveling. It's a minor observation, not meant as negatively as it may have sounded.
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lok cheung said 12:08PM on 3-30-2008
when the whole world is talking about global warming and people are asked not to leave charger connected after use, Belkin come up with this? i know some charger adjust the power consume itself in different condition, no charger can cut the power down to zero when not in use, they still working anything as it is connected.
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