RAVPower has quietly been making a name for itself by releasing mobile accessories that work well, are easy to use, and are priced nicely. Their new RAVPower 100W 2 USB-C Ports PD Wall Charger is just such a product. For under $80, this wall adapter will keep your laptop and phone fully charged on the go.
A little more than a decade ago, I reviewed the Twelve South HiRise Adjustable Laptop Stand. It was impressive. Three years ago, the HiRise became a key part of my wife’s home office when we went remote during the lockdown; I missed using the HiRise. Now, the company has released the new Twelve South HiRise Pro for MacBook; this new laptop stand is all mine.
If you often find yourself searching for a free outlet or port, the compact Ugreen 100W USB C DigiNest Pro Charging Station will be right up your alley. With three AC outlets, three USB-C ports, and a legacy USB-A port, the DigiNest Pro has proven to be a very convenient and powerful desktop power strip.
As gas hit prices few have ever experienced in America this past spring, I decided to start riding my bicycle to work. I quickly discovered that I needed a backpack small enough to wear on a bike comfortably but large enough to carry all of my day’s gear. Enter the WaterField Sutter Slim Laptop Backpack; it’s perfect for my needs.
People are traveling for work once again. Fortunately, more thin, light, powerful laptops are available than ever before. Unfortunately, most of those laptops fall short in the port department, and I’m not just speaking only about Macs! That’s where the IOGEAR Dock Pro 6-in-1 4K Dock Stand comes in; it’s light and portable and adds some important ports for on-the-go computing.
Playing the equivalent of musical chairs with your wall chargers and cables can become the norm, especially when your everyday carry includes multiple power-hungry devices like laptops and tablets. The UGREEN Nexode 200W GaN Charger puts four USB-C ports and two USB ports at your disposal; with its GaN technology, you can fast-charge up to three 65W laptops at the same time or you can charge up to six smartphones and tablets simultaneously.
Imagine having a terabyte of data in your pocket; now imagine having a terabyte of encrypted data in your pocket. A microSD card with that much storage capacity and the smarts to keep all that data completely secure sounds like science fiction, doesn’t it? Well, science fiction meets reality in the iStorage datAshur SD Flash Drive, and the result is pretty impressive.
Some months ago, I reviewed two travel charging hubs from Kovol. I took both on a recent trip, and they performed beautifully. The company just sent me their new Kovol Sprint 140W PD 2-Port GaN Wall Charger. It is a total win for someone like me who uses a 14” MacBook Pro as his primary computer. Here’s why.
Before Covid, I rarely used webcams. Calls requiring my video presence weren’t part of my normal day-to-day, but that’s no longer the case. Video conference calls have become my new normal, and that’s why the Lumina webcam seemed like a perfect fit when I was offered a review unit. Lumina is a tiny, premium webcam that claims to provide adaptive color correction, a realistic depth of field effect, and AI features — including adjustable bokeh and cameraman effects — so you’ll always look your best. Intrigued? Read on.
When Apple stopped including AC wall adapters with their products, it was a callous attempt to maximize profits further. At the same time, Apple also unlocked the creativity of companies that stepped in and filled the void. The new Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W) is one example of a third-party solution; this foldable wall charger has three ports and offers a maximum output of 65W!
My MacBook Pro is the most powerful computer I’ve ever owned. Most of the time, it serves as my desktop computer, but there are times I want to take it with me. Thankfully, Incase has released their Textured Hardshell in Woolenex and Hardshell Case for the 14″ 2021 MacBook Pro; both promise to keep my laptop looking brand new.
Apple may have reintroduced some extra ports with the new MacBook Pro line, but these laptops are still not as port-rich as they used to be. The Satechi Pro Hub Max is a convenient way to get back some if not all of the ports you might need so you can focus on your work. The Pro Hub Max is small, powerful, affordable, and it’s a purchase that you won’t regret making.
The AnkerWork B600 Video Bar packs a 2K video camera, a microphone array, stereo speakers, and a light into a small package for under $220. After trying more video cameras for Zoom calls than I would like to admit, I can honestly say that Anker is about to have a hit on its hands.
Not long ago, Apple stopped including AC adapters with their phone and tablets. As annoying as it was, that move prompted numerous companies to jump in and fill the vacuum; Kovol is one such company. The Kovol Sprint 120W 4-Port PD GaN Desktop Charger and the smaller Kovol Sprint 65W 4-Port GaN Desktop Charger share a similar compact design; they also put Apple’s old chargers to shame.
I recently picked up the new Apple 14” MacBook Pro. I’m thrilled to see the return of key ports but still, find them a bit lacking. That means I often still need a multiport adapter. Now there is a new Satechi USB-4 Multiport Adapter with 8K HDMI and a new Satechi Pro Hub Max; both offer portable port expansion that’s “just right.”
WaterField is starting 2022 by introducing their newest backpack, the WaterField Tuck Backpack, a streamlined, updated version of a European military rucksack. With its unique look, flexible side panels that expand and contract depending on that day’s carry, it’s a great new WaterField offering. At $299, it’s not inexpensive, but as we’ve always said, WaterField bags are an investment that will last for years.
My new iPhone finally arrived, and all the reviews are correct; Apple found a way to improve battery life significantly. At the same time, better battery life doesn’t mean heavy users like me won’t still want to carry an external battery. The InfinityLab InstantGo 10000 Wireless Power Bank ticks all of my boxes; it’s powerful and packed with features.
In recent weeks, Harman‘s Infinity Lab has released several different charging solutions; these include high-performance wall adapters and a range of external battery packs. They have sent me a number of their new products to try; this review will look at their new Infinity Lab InstantCharger 65W, a powerful USB-C and USB-A PD charger.
Apple’s commitment to minimalism has gone too far. For example, my MacBook Air has just two USB-C ports; it’s nuts, and it means I need to use hubs that add the connectivity I need. The new OWC Thunderbolt Hub hits a sweet spot between the massive hubs I’ve reviewed and the smaller, portable ones I keep in my gear bags.
Brydge products are a key part of my productivity. Their Brydge 11 MAX+ keyboard lets me get more from my iPad than ever, and their Stone Pro Docking Station keeps my desktop computer peripherals connected. Now they’ve released two new products- the Brydge SP+ Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad for Surface Pro 8 and the Brydge Stone Pro TB4 Universal Docking Station.
I love my M1 MacBook Air. It is thin, light, and incredibly powerful. But the lack of ports on Apple’s current laptops continues to be a challenge. That’s why I always carry an OWC USB-C Travel Dock with me. Now there is an OWC USB-C Travel Dock E; the small, $64.99 hub is a powerful way to get connected.