Sometimes the best ideas don't always have to be big ones. In fact, it can often be the little things that save you the most time and effort, especially when it comes to your tech and the time spent on the go. Two of the smallest ideas have changed our (and our friends) travel time tremendously, care to guess what they are?
1. Buy A Second AC Adapter For Your Laptop: We have written posts until we are blue in the face about taming the clutter that wires leave around our work space, but what happens when you have to unplug and take those wires on the go? No one wants to spend a half an hour undoing cable clips and other hiding solutions to remove their needed charger, so simply — buy a second one.
You can find them for cheap at many electronic stores, but better yet, eBay and Craigslist can be an excellent discounted source and will usually yield your exact model number to ensure you always have consistent power while on the go without all the headache.
2. Add A Extension Cord Under Your Sofa For Guests: When friends come over, there's a good chance these days they'll be toting their laptop, cameras and more. With everyone on the go we all come equipped and usually have a little work to do somewhere. Try plugging in an extension cord that's solely meant for the use of your guests. That way they don't have to go digging behind your sofa or under a table to plug in.
If you're worried about looks, simply staple one to the under side of your sofa frame (assuming it's wood) and it will stay off the floor and still be right at hand when needed.
Do you have a simple tech tip that makes your world a little easier from day to day? Let us know in the comments below! There's no tip to small!
(Image: Flickr member j/f/photos licensed for use by Creative Commons)
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I've been doing the first for years (buying a second or third AC adapter) since I went to using a laptop. I've got one at my home office, one at my work office, and then the extra that gets drug around the house (living room, bedroom, etc.) and on the road.
The second idea is genius...except screw the guests. *I'm* tired of climbing behind couches and TV stands to get to power. I'm heading to the store right now.
Always have a car charger with you for you your cell phone. Either take your car charger with you, or have a car charger in your travel kit.
I'm moving into a house we just built. There are about 50 bajillion outlets but there was none in my bedroom where I wanted to plug in my laptop -- on a desk set up at the foot of the bed. It doesn't adjoin a wall and if I'd known I needed an outlet here, I'd have had one installed in the floor. But no matter. I just put stick-on wire guides on the bottom of my bed slats, and ran an extension cord along the underside of the bed. That way the cord isn't on the floor, so it's easier to dust underneath it.
1) Carry a 3-prong to 2-prong adapter.
2) Carry a courtesy adapter (with one or two extra outlets) so that if you take up the last open slot on an electric outlet in a public space, you've provided at least one other person with a chance to work near you.)
3) If you took up the last open outlet and someone asks to use an extension or courtesy outlet, let them. Your computer won't blow up.
really like the extension lead under the sofe, Though remember to use LARGE staples when doing attaching it to the under side of the sofa( might hurt a bit otherwise)
When i go on my trips i take a Travel Plug Adapter with USB Charger. Saves so much space as all i need to bring is my usb cables for the phones etc etc( Remember to test it first and make sure the usb will charge all the devices that you plan to bring)
make sure you use the correct type of extension cord especially if its going to be stapled or beneath a couch. extension cords can be a serious fire hazard if used improperly or damaged.
To follow up on what Rapunzel said -- I found this Voltage Valet power strip at a travel store in San Francisco last year, and I think it's the ideal travel power strip. It has three outlets and a built-in USB charger for gadgets, and the cord wraps around it for compact storage. It's much more compact and easy to carry than other similar devices I've found.
More impressively, though, the entire unit (including the USB charger) is rated for 240V power -- so when traveling to Europe, I only need to carry one country-specific adapter plug. Important to note that it doesn't convert voltage -- but most tech devices these days have 240v-capable power supplies anyway. (Always be sure to double-check.)
Before I found this, I ended up carrying a bag of adapter plugs for my laptop, iPhone, camera, etc. -- six in total on my last trip, since I needed them for both continental Europe and the UK. This makes that a thing of the past.
My husband and I each have 3 AC Adapters for our respective laptops, one stays by the bed (neatly hidden), another stays in our designated work space (his at the desk, mine hidden near the couch) and the third stays in each of our laptop cases ready to go.
We also utilize the multi-charger method for our iPhones. We each have a charger neatly hidden by the bed, one charger hidden behind the couch, one charger hidden behind the desk (although normally, we just hook up to the computer in the office), and we each have a car charger.
I have screwed power strips everywhere I can persuade my wife to let me: on the underside of the kitchen table (hidden behind the bracing), inside our Crate & Barrel desk; in a wooden box on our telephone nook; on the bookshelves that hold our printer; and in the closet that used to hold our printer. It is wonderful to have enough outlets to where you need them.
Number 2 is a GREAT idea! I plugged a good-quality surge protector strip (high jules, and those good widely spaced outlets that take transformer bricks) into the outlet behind the bed in my guest room (room only had two, and the opposite one is behind a dresser w/a TV on it). I fastened the surge protector to the side of the small chest used as a bedside table. Now it's simple for guests to plug in all their electronics when they're here, without having to climb around/behind furniture.
PS @Brad: I'M the (former) wife, and I'M the techie in the family, so *I* am the one who places surge protector power strips all over the house - my ex used to hate that "clutter". More tips on placement: I fastened one across the back inside of a bookshelf, after drilling holes to pass cords up thru the shelves & the cord from the strip down to the outlet ; I have a small decorative lamp there, and can plug in other small items as needed in the living room. Non-obtrusive since I have decorative objects on that shelf in front of it.
A surge protector strip tucked into the side of my media tower, so I can easily troubleshoot any peripherals (unplug, shut off, etc). Strips attached just above the counters in my kitchen, since I have lots of powered kitchen gadgets. And yes, a strip on either side of the master bed since the plug is behind the bed; no more trying to get your arm down behind there! And of course, several running along the wall just above work counter height in my crafts room/office. It's not good for plugs/power wires to be pulled in and out of outlets a lot, can make them crack, so if I can plug them in where I store them or use them, I keep them plugged in. Just keep in mind how MANY peripherals and their loads you have going on each strip, and their total load. Also, remember a power strip is NOT the same as a surge protector, so make sure they are high rated (joules) surge protectors where electronic items will be plugged in. Switch the whole strip off when not in use, where possible, since many electronics use power even when not turned on.
I thought mtoMA2AZ has some great ideas. I have a "pass thru" window between kitchen and dining room. My toaster, coffee maker, can opener (kitchen side), and pencil sharpener and printer (dining room side-its an office as well) are powered up and ready all the time with the flick of one switch. Great ideas and great article.
I forgot to mention, when I had my knee replaced last year, I purchased an additional power cord for my MAC. I used one downstairs in the den and one up in my bedroom so whomever was helping me out that day didn't have to unplug and replug when they brought me my laptop.