I have an obsession with power adapters. Part of the reason is that when I travel, I have multiple devices that need power and recharging, including a laptop, tablet, phone, watch, and sometimes wireless earbuds. The other reason is that I'm notorious for misplacing the power supplies and chargers that come with the device. I eventually stumble across them, but usually not at the time when I really need them. If these weren't reasons enough, I have several laptops, and regardless of which one I need to use at any moment, one or the other seems to be missing a power supply. Never to be seen again unless I'm fortunate enough to trip over it.
So, just in case, I keep several spare charger/power supplies on hand, returning each to a home in a shoebox I picked up at the dollar store next to the boxes filled with charging cables with Lightning (Apple), and USB-A and USB-C connectors. I did manage to separate the cables with the Lightning versus USB connectors, and I'm hopeful that someday I'll be motivated to also separate the cables in the USB cable box so I don't have to spend 15 minutes figuring out which cable is which every time I need a USB cable. I even have the empty shoe box somewhere.
Back to power supplies: I most often rely on those from Anker. I've been using their power products for years and never been disappointed. Right now, there are two in the box. The one I usually travel with and also use as a replacement laptop power supply is the Model 747. At $110 it's not inexpensive. But it has a 150-watt capacity, and uses the newest GaN technology, which means it's small. It also has multiple power ports that include a USB-A port and three USB-C ports. And it can easily power my laptop as well as charge my phone, watch, and tablet.
For single port use around the house, my go-to is Anker's $60 735. It's rated for 65 watts, has two USB-C ports, and can also power my Lenovo laptops, though sometimes I get a "slow-charging" message. It's also based on GaN technology and is very small. I also travel with it as well, just in case. One last charger is from a company called VoltMe. The Revo Duo, based on GaN technology as the Anker are, is a reasonably price 30-watt unit that sells for about $26.
And when I misplace one or more of these, or leave it in a hotel room as I have done on occasion, which from past experience seems inevitable, I'm sure I'll get another cool one for review.
Stuffing in stuff
The part I like least about travel, whether it's for business (which it usually is) or pleasure, is packing. I usually manage to overpack, figuring I might not be able to get clothes cleaned on the road or be near a store where I can pick up a shirt or new pair of pants if need be. That results in bulging luggage, as I always try to fit everything I need into carryon, rather than checked, luggage.
Now that conferences are picking up again, my traveling companions have been narrowed down to three. The smallest is a backpack from Able Carry, the Able Carry Max. Smallest might be a misnomer. Capacity of backpacks and luggage are measured in liters. The Able Carry Max can hold up to 30 liters of travel necessities, including a laptop in a separate compartment. With me, that's about just enough for a two-night trip. One problem is that when you load the Able Carry Max to it's highest capacity, it's pretty heavy, especially if the gate at the airport is at the end of the terminal, which my flights are more often than not. Another is cost. The Able Carry Max is premium luggage, and carries a premium price tag — $268. If you do a fair amount of traveling and need the high capacity, the Able Carry Max is very high quality and worth the price. For the occasional trip, though, it might be overkill, especially financially.
When I need more convenient capacity than the Able Carry Max, I turn to a Targus 16-inch Compact Rolling Backpack. At $95, it's pretty affordable, and can be used as a backpack, or, as I usually make use of it, as a rolling bag. It has a capacity of 29 liters, almost as much as the Able Carry Max, but I can wheel it through the terminal and onto the place.
Finally, a new piece of luggage recently showed up — the Rollink Flex Vega. It's a roller suitcase with an interesting difference. It has front and back plastic hard shells, and in between, an expandable middle that can stretch to accommodate up to 29 liters of travel necessities. At $139, it's not unreasonably priced, and I like the idea that it easily accommodates a smaller amount of packing for quick trips, and expand when necessary to really load it up. It's carry-on sized, and when you aren't using it, it's only about two inches thick and fits under the bed (with all of the dust bunnies).
That's it for this time. Next time around, I'll go over some of the really useful USB docks that I have in the review pile as well as a couple of nice tablets, and a great USB second screen that usually goes in my carryon. Have a terrific holiday season, and may your trips all be enjoyable.
