Proporta USB Mobile Device Charger

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=2725&t_mode=des' target='_blank'>http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=2725&t_mode=des</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The Proporta USB Mobile Device Charger charges from any standard USB port (so it works with ALL Proporta power/charging products in your car, home, office) and stores an impressive 3400 mAH of power for when you need it. Plug any USB powered mobile device (phone, iPod, digital camera etc.) into the battery's standard USB port and recharge anywhere. Even power hungry devices like the iPod 5G will recharge and play for up to three times longer when connected to the Proporta USB Mobile Device Charger and you can recharge your mobile, Smartphone or PDA anywhere. Use as an emergency charger which can be recharged from any convenient USB port and never run out of power again."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/USB-Mobile-Device-Charger.jpg" /><br /><br />Having just returned from a long trek, I ran into all sorts of issues related to powering my various mobile devices. Although nothing was catastrophic (I was fairly well prepared), this exact device is something I could have really used. Anyone own one, or something similar? How do you find using it?

[Chris Gohlke]

My Averatec laptop has a similar function. Even with the laptop powered down, the USB ports are powered, in a pinch, I can use it as an additional power source for USB devices.

[Jason Dunn]

My Averatec laptop has a similar function. Even with the laptop powered down, the USB ports are powered, in a pinch, I can use it as an additional power source for USB devices.

Yeah, most laptops do this, but only when in standby mode. You're sure that yours does this when it's 100% powered off? I use my laptop on the road to recharge my devices, but try doing that on a long plane flight. ;-)

[Chris Gohlke]

Yep, just physically confirmed it. Shut it completely off, unplugged it from the wall, pluged in my PSP USB charger and the PSP started charging.

[Chris Gohlke]

Although referring to a different Averatec model, here is a quote from a press release about the feature:

"Even when the notebook is powered OFF, the USB ports remain active, acting as a power source for continuous peripheral use or as a cell phone recharger."

http://www.averatec.com/news/pr_002.htm

[Jason Dunn]

Yep, just physically confirmed it. Shut it completely off, unplugged it from the wall, pluged in my PSP USB charger and the PSP started charging.

WOW. Ok, score one point for Averatec - that's impressive, and quite handy!

Slight tangent: I bought a little 10.6" screen Averatec and brought it back after a few days. It was just so underpowered and slow-performing...

[Chris Gohlke]

That is the machine I use on a daily basis for portable web/e-mail. I also use it for movie watching, light Office work, and as in car navigation with a USB GPS. I've found it adequate for all these tasks given that after rebates the machine cost me a little over $600.