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Energizer travel charger powers your Mac, iPhone, and iPad ... all at once

by Mike Schramm Aug 20th 2011 at 12:00PM

I often travel with more than a few Apple devices, all of which usually need power at some point during the day, so the idea of this one intrigues me a lot, obviously. Energizer (the bunny people) is releasing a brand new travel charger that, as you can see above, goes industrial on charging your devices. not only does it expand an outlet into three, but there's a built-in iPhone dock, and even a USB charger to plug into on the side. That's some serious charge.

I'm sure if you plugged charging units into everything on the iSurge, you might run the risk of pulling off too much power -- especially if the outlet isn't set up right, it's hard to see how this wouldn't cause problems. Still, that's a handy little unit, even if you do end up using all of the various outlets at different times. The charger is indeed called the iSurge, and is set to be sold for $60 by the end of the year.

[via Wired]



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I often travel with more than a few Apple devices, all of which usually need power at some point during the day, so the idea of this...
 

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Gary

Duracell are the bunny people, Energizer is from eveready.

August 20 2011 at 11:45 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Gary's comment
Justin

Ummm..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiFQsxGUQOI

August 21 2011 at 12:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
puhsitch

I have heard cases of Duracell using the bunny outside of the United States, but Energizer is definitely the originator.

August 21 2011 at 10:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to puhsitch's comment
patrick@evilplatypus.net

No, no, no. Duracell are THE bunny people. There is a species of duracell bunnies while there seems to be only one Energiser bunny, so the Duracells would overun the E easy. *)

Oh, and Duracell was first: You could check Wikipedia if you want, they quote their sources on this one: "The Duracell Bunny campaign was launched in 1973 and predates the Energizer Bunny, which was created in 1989". Duracell then some time in the past forgot to register the bunny as their trademark so energiser scooped it up.

Meanwhile, getting back to this product: nice idea, wonder if it comes in 230V standard euro normal plug versions.You'd hope a "travel charger" would indicate a "international charger" for a start, but considering there are regular outlets on the front I highly doubt it. Oh well, still a nice idea and some chinese guy will rip it off in no time. ;)

August 21 2011 at 11:38 AM Report abuse rate up rate down
Patrick Sullivan

or you could get the belkin travel surge protector that has 3 outlets and 2 usb slots. You would have to actually use your iPhone cable to charge but you would save $25 as the Belkin is only $25

http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=400738

August 20 2011 at 4:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Patrick Sullivan's comment
Oyuncu Oyun

http://blogumsun.blogspot.com/

August 20 2011 at 3:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
raleedy

Fine, but what are the line current requirements? I bought a bulky Belkin block only to find that it would't work on 210/50Hz.

August 20 2011 at 2:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Zachary Price

I don't understand why people have such a problem charging when traveling with a laptop and multiple items. If you use a MBP with it's power cord, and then USB-charge your iPod, iPhone, and iPad all via your MBP's USB ports, then you only need one AC outlet, easily accessible in a hotel room.

August 20 2011 at 2:10 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
W R

Looks to me like it blocks the other wall outlet regardless of which one you plug into. It obviously does if you plug into the bottom one and dock an iPhone (as depicted). Not sure about plugging into the top outlet. If it does block that would be a fail in my mind.

August 20 2011 at 1:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to W R's comment
Matt Young

This device provides 3 new outlets, which is +1 even if it does block one of the wall outlets. I'm not sure people know what the word "fail" actually means anymore.

August 20 2011 at 2:43 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
raleedy

I don't see how blocking one outlet while adding two is a "fail".

August 20 2011 at 2:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Methionine

Typical residential wiring in North America has at least a 15 amp capacity to service outlets, and generally supplies up to 1600 watts continuously (i.e. microwave, hair dryer, coffee maker). Since iPad draws 10 watts, iPhone dock 5 watts, and typical MacBook power adaptor up to 80 watts - you'd still have a hard time drawing as much as a standard 100 watt incandescent bulb, save for other devices (as mentioned above) plugged into the "power bar" component of the charger. Even with the associated loss of AC/DC rectification and conversion down to steady 5 volts, it'd take a special effort to exceed the rated capacity of the outlet using the iSurge alone.

August 20 2011 at 12:44 PM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Methionine's comment
cookingscience

You expect a writer on a tech blog to understand how the technology works?

August 20 2011 at 6:23 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
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