Kensington Computer Products Group is one of the old-timers in the computerperipheral business having launched their first product (Apple II System Saver) back in 1981. Kensington’s most ubiquitous product is the K-Lock security slot that is found on many laptops. As Kensington is an established company with a history of quality products I felt relatively safe in trusting my high-priced electronics to the AbsolutePower Charger. A bad/incorrect charger can ruin a battery or worse very quickly so it’s always a good idea to double check the power supply you’re going to use before plugging in your expensive gadgets.

While not the only device to have this issue, the Apple iPad introduced many people to the concept that not all USB ports are equal especially when it comes to providing charging power. Rather than go into a discussion on electrical theory and USB standards those interested may want to check out this article in MacWorld.

For the rest of us, just because your charging cable has a USB plug at one end doesn’t mean that all USB ports will be capable of providing sufficient power to charge your device. However, the Kensington AbsolutePower charger provides enough power to its two USB ports (one micro, one standard) to handle most power hungry devices like tablets (but not all).

What's in the box...

Kensington includes 10 charging tips with the charger that work with many laptops by Acer, Asus, Compaq, Dell, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba among others. For a list of compatible devices check Kensington’s website. Most notably absent from the list are Apple’s MacBooks that use a proprietary connector (MagSafe) which is kept away from other companies by a slew of lawyers.

The AbsolutePower, like most quality chargers works with AC power of 50 or 60 cycles and from 100 to 240 VAC making it capable of handling most “wall” power available throughout the world. There are no international adapters in the box so I can only assume that when purchased in countries outside of the US either an adapter or different power cord is included.

Kensington claims that the charger is the smallest, lightest, most powerful charger in its class (when compared with similar in-class power adapters). The box lists the weight at 8 ounces (225g) and the dimensions at 4.3” long, 2.75” wide, and .73” high (110mm x 70mm x 18.5mm) or roughly the size (but thicker) than an iPhone 4s. Be aware though that Kensington didn’t include the weight of the power cable in that measurement (you gotta love those “marketing” specs). With both cables connected and an adapter tip in place, the charger weighs 10.8 ounces (306g). That’s still not a bad size or weight for a 90-watt charger.

A relatively small and lightweight charger that comes with a slew of adapter tips that cover laptops by almost every major manufacturer and two high-power USB ports…that sounds great…well, almost.

So, what’s not to like?

Just a few things really, but they’re pretty darn annoying.

The first issue I have is with the lack of a suitable case for the device. The AbsolutePower charger is marketed as being small and light and without a doubt it’s meant for use by travelers. Since it comes with 10 easy-to-lose power tips, a separate power cable, and a micro-USB to USB adapter it would have been nice if they had included a case for storage and transport. I ended up tossing it all in a ZipLoc bag…far from an elegant solution.

Exacerbating the storage issue is the fixed power cable on one side. The input power cable (one that plugs into an outlet) is not attached permanently to the charger making it easy to remove and store, however the cable that connects between the AbsolutePower and the laptop is permanently attached. This means that while the charger is small, the cable must always be wrapped next to it for storage. At $120 Kensington could include a case/pouch that holds all the parts compactly making it easy for customers to toss it into their briefcase or laptop bag.

Size matters!

I have another problem with that fixed power cord: it’s too darn short! It’s just 24 inches long forcing you to keep the charger on the table or desk close to your computer rather than on the floor. The charger has a hard plastic shell and no rubber feet so it’s all too easy for it to fall or be pushed off your work surface. This could cause it to come unplugged or even damage the laptop’s charging port. I would much prefer a cable that was long enough to allow it to drape off the work surface and have the charging unit on the floor. I realize that might make it a little harder to get to the USB ports, but USB cables are available in lengths more than long enough to make that a non-issue.

Nothing good can come of this.

Also be aware that the adapter tips are made with a 90-degree angle to the cable. While this wasn’t a problem with my laptop it’s possible that this type of connection could block access to a port or ventilation. Check your specific laptop and make sure you have at least 1.5” of clearance on one side of the power input.

Most people assume that setting up a laptop charger involves nothing more than plugging one end into an outlet and the other end into their computer. The AbsolutePower adds another level of complexity into the mix that some manufacturers (Targus and iGo) of similar devices seem to have done away with, and that’s a voltage switch. On the end of the charger is a small switch that sets output voltage at either 16 volts or 19 volts. The unit’s Instruction sheet states that the end user must find out the input voltage for their laptop and then set the switch accordingly. When I checked my ThinkPad I found a small sticker with typical micro-font that listed the input voltage at 20 volts. Fortunately, I looked at the side of the AbsolutePower box and realized that the 16 volt setting was actually good for 14 – 17VDC (at 5.0 Amps) and the 19 volt setting handled 17 – 21VDC (at 4.72 Amps). This information was not included on the rather sparse instruction sheet.

Power output, 2 x USB and voltage switch/power LED

The switch also doubles as a power LED and is inset (requiring a small screwdriver to move it) and with the voltage settings engraved by the switch as black on black many people will never know that it is a switch or a setting that needs to be selected. While you can clearly see the switch settings in my picture in anything other than direct light from a few inches away the settings are all but invisible. Requiring users to find their laptop’s voltage requirements is an inconvenience; not marking the switch clearly could potentially cause problems. Whether having the wrong setting would cause serious damage to someone’s laptop is questionable, but I’d argue if it’s important to make the choice it’s important to make the necessity and method for doing so a whole lot more evident than Kensington has done.

Finally, I was a bit surprised that Kensington didn’t include an Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad charging cable in the kit. Since the iPad is a primary reason people are looking for high-powered USB ports nowadays a cable would have been nice. Even better make the fixed power cord 48 inches long and include an Apple compatible cable to match!

Settings and power cord issues aside the charger does its job without getting very warm. After several hours of use the charger was barely over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The AbsolutePower charged my Lenovo ThinkPad x220 laptop, Apple iPad and TMobile G2 phone simultaneously. Although, it did seem that with both devices plugged into the charger’s USB ports and the laptop running the rate of charging was a bit slower than if they were all on their individual chargers there didn’t appear to be a dramatic difference.

The HP TouchPad was the only device that wouldn’t charge from the AbsolutePower. Using the USB cable that came with the TouchPad the device warned that it might not charge when connected to the AbsolutePower’s micro USB port. When I connected the TouchPad to the standard USB port on the AbsolutePower there was no warning or indication of charging at all (swapping USB cables made no difference). The TouchPad’s own charger lists output at 5.3 volts at 2.0 amps which is slightly higher than the 5.0 volt/2.0 amp rating for the AbsolutePower and is higher than the iPad’s requirements.

I like the concept of the Kensington Absolute Power charger. Dual high-power USB ports in a reasonably sized package are a definite plus. After spending some time with the charger though the short power cable would probably make me look at competitors. I just like my power “bricks” to live on the floor. If that doesn’t bother you and you can figure out the voltage requirement for your laptop this unit is certainly worth comparing to the other top brands in the marketplace as either a replacement power supply or second unit to keep in your travel bag.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Laptops and Gear, Reviews, Tablet Computers and Gear, Travel Gear

Tagged: Charger, power adapter, USB

Kensington AbsolutePower Laptop, Phone, Tablet Charger Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 21, 2011 at 11:00 am.

The clever folks at Quirky have just released Pivot Power: A Creative Outlet (which just might be the best product tagline ever), an adjustable electrical power/surge protector strip that flexes around furniture and corners to conserve space.  Bending into circular, semi-circular, zig-zag and of course old-school straight shapes, it features six outlet ‘pods’, which can be adjusted so that large power bricks don’t hog space.  Includes an off/reset button, and is available in both 110v American and 240v European versions, each $25.00.

Quirky engages participants to collaborate in every aspect of product creation — from ideation, design, naming, manufacturing, marketing, right on through to sales. Anyone can participate!  Got an idea?  See the Quirky site for details.

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

Tagged: power adapter

Be a conformist with Pivot Power from Quirky originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 30, 2010 at 2:00 pm.

The reVIVE II Dual USB Car Charger from Scosche allows you to charge your iPad and another device while travelling by car.  The reVIVE II has a 2.1A USB port for charging your iPad.  There’s also a second 1A USB port to charge another device simulataneously.  The reVIVE II Dual USB Car Charger is $24.99 from Scosche.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Car, power adapter

reVIVE II Dual USB Car Charger for iPad from Scosche originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 14, 2010 at 10:45 am.

Sometimes, products solve problems you’ve been conscious of for a long time. You’ve made do, tried other alternatives, and groused about it to everyone within earshot. When the solution is invented, you breathe a sigh and say, “At last!” Sometimes, however, a product comes along to solve a problem you really didn’t think you had. That’s my story on the Dexim Dual Dock Charging Station that was sent for review from RichardSolo.com.

I’ve been carrying an iPod around since the original. I ditched the Rio (with it’s massive 128MB, 8-song library) for a 5 GB original iPod and never looked back. I’ve upgraded over the years, and last year, my older daughter, who had been dismissing the whole iPod phenomenon as some passing fad, called me up and said, “Dad, go ahead and say you told me so and get it over with. Then help me find the right iPod. I’m tired of dealing with CDs.” Maxell had to downgrade their stock that quarter, but I was happy. My other daughter and my wife have been happily iPodding for years now. What really trips us up is charging. Every vacation, and many times around the house, someone will say “My iPod’s dead. Can I borrow your cable? Mine’s at the office/someone’s house.” Likewise at my office, I’ll have someone drop by to get a charging cable for iPhone/iPod on an almost weekly basis.

The Dexim Dual Dock Charging Station solves this problem with two dedicated power (not syncing) docks and a selection of adapters to fit every iPod/iPhone model except the shuffles. The day I brought mine from home to the office, someone announced over Twitter (our interoffice message board – grouptweet.com rocks!) that one was needed. I pulled it out and we found the cradle adapter to fit and he was off to the races. With this setup on hand, any iPod/iPhone can be fully charged from stone dead to full in 60-90 minutes.

In the Box

Included in the box is the unit itself (it comes in black or white smooth, shiny plastic), a power cable, and six dock inserts. Snapping them in and out is not intuitive, but once you pay attention to it once, you’ll be able to use them in no time. All the parts are held in vacu-formed clear plastic in a cardboard box. No Jaws of Life are required to extricate anything.

The complete contents of the package. The six adapters (upper left) are each sealed with a pull-off film.

Operation

Plug the power wall wart in, snap in the proper adapter, push the device into the dock. The charging screen shows up and you’re done. It really is that simple. If you want the added ambiance, you can flip the small switch on the side, and a single line of blue illumination glows around the entire device and the outlines of the cradle adapters.

The benefits of this are quite obvious, but so are the limitations: it’s only for Apple stuff. No Zune, Palm, Samsung, or G1 need attempt to charge here. So, if you’ve got Apple stuff cluttering up your workspace, or if you live/work where there are many iPod/iPhone users, this device will be in constant demand. If that’s not the case, you’ll not see the need.

I’ve played with devices that hide your adapters under a holder for various phones, PDAs, etc., but they have some huge drawbacks: you have to have an adapter specifically devoted to the rack for each device (pricey), and then you have to remember which one goes where. While this may be a good idea if you have many different devices, since iPods all have the same cable connector, this device is much handier and easier to set up and use. And the all-in-one units have a power strip to plug all those wall warts into, so they’re pretty large. This unit is small, sleek, and nicely designed: a stylish addition to any desk, dresser, or nightstand.

All told, I’ll have to take away a half star for the adapters and not connecting to the computer to charge. While it’s not the stated purpose, there’s still a strong mindset of either playback or syncing when you plug an iPod into a dock. To get neither feels like being slighted somehow. And there’s ample room to somehow identify the proper adapter, either as part of the mold on the underside, or a small engraving/hot stamp identity on the surface. Either way, it would be better than the “snap in, test, snap out, snap another in, test, repeat” situation the current model offers. So, 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related

Tagged: Charger, iPhone accessory, Power, power adapter

Dexim iPhone/iPod Dual Dock Charging Station Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2009 at 4:35 pm.