Air-Power Adapters - recommendation

[preiffer]

Fed up of playing the "nib game" with my IBM and Apple notebooks, (along with the little quirks between BD/AC/VS' onboard power offerings), I decided to get an auto/air power adapter of my own.

Now, I WAS concerned about this, as every (vaguely useful) one I've seen so far has been a bit of a brick, so I took a chance and ordered a brand new model from Kensington.

Here is the one I bought (for Apple) and here is the "other"/PC one.


Well, I have to say, I'm EXTREMELY impressed (enough to recommend it on here). Firstly, it's TINY. I mean itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-tiny. It's about 50% smaller than the little square "brick" that comes with my PowerBook (and MUCH, much lighter than any adapter I've ever had with a laptop).

Mine comes with nibs for iBooks, PowerBooks, and any iPod with a dock connector. It plugs in to both car cig. lighter sockets, as well as empower connectors onboard. I tried it in the car today, and [y].


If you buy the PC version, they'll give you a coupon to get an iPod nib for free, too. Other nibs are available (such as the one I need for my IBM Thinkpad).


They're available in PC world for £69.99 and Applestore for £89.99, but I got mine for £41 on Pyramid.com - it arrived in 2 days.


So anyway, ignore if you wish , but I'd say buy one if you travel more than 2/3 times a year - mine's going to become invaluable, I'm sure.

[Nottingham Nick]

I have a Targus one for my car that works okay, but that one looks a LOT neater. [:#]

Nick

[Decker]

I've just bought an iGo to replace my Targus... seems to do everything including charge my Tosh AND my iPaq at the same time!

[ChuckC]

A bit OT, Preiffer ... but I learned the hard way (not reading the manual before buying) that my HP laptop should not be plugged into aircraft power ports. Something about the notebook requiring too much power. So, after buying countless nibs and even an HP adapter, I still have a non-functioning connection for aircraft. Will need to buy a new laptop for air travel, which seems a bit ridiculous.

Chuck-

I'm having a little trouble finding out about the "nibs" for this. Is there a way to find out if the "nib" you need is supplied with the product (I need one for a Palm Lifedrive), or otherwise what "nib" is needed?

Am I even making sense ?

[preiffer]

Hi Richard,

The info/availability of power tips is here on the kensington site. Admittedly, it's extremely well hidden...

Not sure what the lead times are on those that need "pre-ordering". My guess is that they'll be shipping them soon, as they won't want the sales of a brand new product being hindered by a lack of compatible nibs/tips.