A Light, Portable Recharger for Your PDA

Michael S. Lasky

Mobile devices are supposed to make life on the go easier, and for the most part they do. But no matter how small or lightweight your notebook, PDA, or cell phone is, you're still saddled with bulky AC adapter bricks to power and recharge them.

Wouldn't it be great if you had a single slim, lightweight power adapter that worked with all your portable devices? Try the 7.5-ounce Universal AC Adapter from Targus--a 0.5-inch-thick panel with built-in surge protection that automatically senses the power needs of any device you attach to it.

Included in the $120 package is a supply of eight removable power tips that plug into the adapter ports of most major makes and models of notebook PCs. You can buy additional tips for other electronic devices at about $20 per set.

The shipping unit I tried worked flawlessly on Dell and Fujitsu notebooks and two Nokia phones. Though it's pricey, the Targus Universal AC Adapter could become a necessary luxury. Downsides? Those little tips look easy to lose, and you can recharge only one device at a time.

The ultralight USB PDA Charger cables from Jetta Tech take a different approach to recharging PDAs. No additional power supply or installation software is required: Just plug the $25 cable right into a notebook or desktop USB port, attach the other end to the PDA, and it charges as if it were plugged in to its original (and heavier) power supply--especially useful if you're trapped in a hotel room with insufficient electrical outlets. To preserve your notebook's battery, remember to do the recharging when your notebook is plugged in.

The shipping PDA Charger cables I tested easily charged a Compaq IPaq Pocket PC and a Palm V without a hitch.