Anyone upgrade to USB/Power outlets (U-Socket) in your home?

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Oil

Oil

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2005
3,552
5
81
Don't have one but definitely gonna get the Targus adapter
 
Zeze

Zeze

Lifer
Mar 4, 2011
11,395
1,189
126
What is the point of this? Do you have that many USB devices that your PC/laptop can't charge?
 
Joseph F

Joseph F

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2010
3,522
2
0
Nice find, alk. Next time I get an odd-job, I'll be getting one of these for my room.
 
AznAnarchy99

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,695
117
106
Zeze said:
What is the point of this? Do you have that many USB devices that your PC/laptop can't charge?
Click to expand...

PC/Laptop charges really slow through the USB ports and with the move to using USB dongles from all companies its nice since people lose them often.
 
Zeze

Zeze

Lifer
Mar 4, 2011
11,395
1,189
126
AznAnarchy99 said:
PC/Laptop charges really slow through the USB ports and with the move to using USB dongles from all companies its nice since people lose them often.
Click to expand...

I haven't felt a slightest need to get extra USB ports. All USB devices come with AC adapter for free.
 
V

velillen

Platinum Member
Jul 12, 2006
2,120
1
81
Cant really see the advantage of those. Everything that charges via usb for me has the ac adapter anyways. Not like it would eliminate cables either since so many need different ends (ipod, mini usb, usb, ect).

And at the price for 1 vs a normal outlet i just couldnt justify it.
 
luv2liv

luv2liv

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2001
3,502
94
91
was building my house. not worth it for 30 bux. rather get an adapter as needed man
 
TangoJuliet

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2006
5,595
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76
I was just talking to my wife about installing these. Its easier to just have a couple of these installed around the house (kitchen, bedroom, etc) then to constantly hunt for the adapter.

My adapter is plugged into the wall behind my nightstand. Its a pain to move it away from the wall. By installing one of these the nightstand could sit flush against the wall rather than a couple of inches with the adapter being there.

OWC has them a little cheaper....especially if you buy more than one

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/accessories/power_adapters/USB/in_wall_outlets
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Zeze said:
What is the point of this? Do you have that many USB devices that your PC/laptop can't charge?
Click to expand...

My laptop goes into a bag at night. My phone usually keeps working. My PC is set to go to sleep.

If you have your laptop/PC up 24/7 then unnecessary.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
70,557
13,801
126
www.anyf.ca
Those are kinda neat, I'd just be curious how efficient the power converter is, as it's always using power.

When I get around to building my new desk I'll have lot of outlets built in, I might add one for fun. Though the adapter is kinda nice too since you can just plug it anywhere you want.

Nice to see that they're at home depot too. Last I saw those it was at a specialty store and not available in Canada.
 
TridenT

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
91
Red Squirrel said:
Those are kinda neat, I'd just be curious how efficient the power converter is, as it's always using power.

When I get around to building my new desk I'll have lot of outlets built in, I might add one for fun. Though the adapter is kinda nice too since you can just plug it anywhere you want.

Nice to see that they're at home depot too. Last I saw those it was at a specialty store and not available in Canada.
Click to expand...

This is another consideration I was wondering about.

I was thinking, "This thing would literally be draining money from my wallet even if it wasn't being used..."
 
Joseph F

Joseph F

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2010
3,522
2
0
Red Squirrel said:
Those are kinda neat, I'd just be curious how efficient the power converter is, as it's always using power.

When I get around to building my new desk I'll have lot of outlets built in, I might add one for fun. Though the adapter is kinda nice too since you can just plug it anywhere you want.

Nice to see that they're at home depot too. Last I saw those it was at a specialty store and not available in Canada.
Click to expand...

You can always just add a switch to the outlet.
 
S

sjwaste

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2000
8,757
12
81
Yeah I've been meaning to get around to these. I was going to replace the outlet at each of our night stands plus the kitchen island. Those are the most common places we charge things.

For the ones you linked, I'm not sure what the max output via USB is, but I'd prefer to have something that'll go to 1.5A like an iPad wall wart provides. It'd be nice to have fast charge capability for the iDevices (my SGS2 doesn't support it).
 
irishScott

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
Looking at those prices, in many case it would be cheaper to just buy an AC adapter; assuming the product doesn't come with one. I imagine this could be nice for Apple freaks (as Apple insists on milking its customers for AC adapters), but I don't buy Apple. So I'll stick with good 'ol AC sockets.

Honestly I have more issues when I visit my previous gen relatives in rural NC and the sockets don't even have a ground hole. :p
 
S

ShawnD1

Lifer
May 24, 2003
15,987
2
81
Zeze said:
What is the point of this? Do you have that many USB devices that your PC/laptop can't charge?
Click to expand...

It depends on where the device is plugged in and how long the cable run is. The USB power to the front of my computer is so weak that those ports cannot be used for an external hard drive. Plug the drive into one of the ports at the back (directly attached to the motherboard) and the drive spins up immediately.

What I use is a powered USB hub with 7 ports. It can charge 2 phones and run a hard drive at the same time. I think I paid $10 for it.
 
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