Our increasingly wireless lives are still dependent on strong-arm connections . And that mean cable’s length — batch of overseas telegram . As the editor who does most ofMacworld ’s accessory coverage , my office is well over with cables , connexion , and chargers . Few warrant a full revue oran clause of their own , but that does n’t mean they should go unnoticed . Whether you ’re search for worthy candidates for your travel bag or you just want to houseclean up your desk , here are some of the best accessories I ’ve amount across of late for connecting , charging , and more .
Compact cable kits
unforesightful cable are lightweight , take up less distance in a bag , and are less probable to tangle . gratefully , it’sno longer necessary to hunt down short versions of essential cable on your own , as a number of company betray handy kit .
Micro , mini , 30 : Ipreviously coveredGriffin Technology ’s $ 25USB Mini Cable Kit , which offers three short ( 3.5 - column inch ) USB cables in one package . Incase ’s $ 25USB Mini Cable Kitcontains 4 - column inch versions — the length includes the connector — of the same three cables : USB - to-30 - pin ( dock connecter ) for iPads and pre-2012 iPhones and iPods ; USB - to - Micro - USB ; and USB - to - miniskirt - USB . The real cable sections are sparse than those of Griffin ’s , making Incase ’s overseas telegram more flexible and even lighter . The outfit also come up with a convenient nylon sway pocket . you could take either the standard kit , which consists of black , white-hot , and grayish line ( for 30 - pin , Micro - USB , and Mini - USB , severally ) , or the brighterfluorescent kitwith easy - to - spot greenness , dingy , and orangish interlingual rendition .
Aviiq options : Another alternative is to choose one of Aviiq ’s assorted $ 30 cable television kit , which each include a twosome of the company’sReady Clip USB Mini Cables . Each Ready Clip cable’s length is roughly 5.5 column inch long , with a wide , flat body and a progress - in clip for attaching the cable to a pocket or pouch in your bag . The Ready Clips are a snatch bulkier and considerably stiff than even the Griffin oblation , but they also feel sturdier , and the built - in time is handy . Aviiq trade six unlike two - cable outfit , each with a different combining of USB - to-30 - oarlock ( wharf connexion ) , USB - to - Micro - USB , and USB - to - miniskirt - USB cables .
Yet another interesting choice , though one that I have n’t yet had a chance to test , is Aviiq ’s new $ 30Quick Change Universal Dock Adapter . This model is similar in sizing and design to the Ready Clip cables , but it combines all three connectors in a single cable with a standard USB plug on one end and 30 - pin , Micro - USB , and Mini - USB plugs at the other . You just rotate the end of the cable to let out the desired connective .
Display and video adapters
In the computing world , few thing are worse than stand nervously at a pulpit preparing to give a presentation and then realizing you do n’t have the correct adaptor for your laptop . Recent MacBooks use a Mini DisplayPort connection for television production , but few schools , businesses , and conference centers have Mini DisplayPort cables on deal .
That makes a Mini DisplayPort arranger — or two!—an crucial supplement for most locomotion udder . To be sure you ’ll be able to connect , it ’s undecomposed to have not only a VGA version ( since that ’s still the most - uncouth projector connection , in my experience ) but also a DVI adapter , just in pillowcase . You may even want to carry an HDMI adapter to unite your laptop to newer projectors or to a prostrate - panel TV .
The utility of these transcriber is n’t limited to laptops , either : Many of us have a Mac miniskirt or some other Mac we need to connect to a TV or projector .
Monoprice = lower price : Apple sells a $ 29Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapterand a $ 19Mini DVI to VGA Adapter(the HDMI version is presently MIA ) , but as with many things cable - touch , Monoprice.comoffers alternative that work just as well for a fraction of the price . For $ 7 , you’re able to get Monoprice’sMini DisplayPort / Thunderbolt to DVI Adapter , which , in gain to working with every presentation I ’ve test it on , also uses aDVI - Iconnector rather than the DVI - five hundred connector of the Apple - branded adapter . Many DVI cables you ’ll run across out in the universe are DVI - I , which has four extra pins . The Monoprice adapter can accommodate those pins , while the Apple transcriber ca n’t .
Monoprice also sells a $ 13Mini DisplayPort / Thunderbolt to VGA Adapterand a $ 7Mini DisplayPort / Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter with Audio Supportfor connecting to displays , projectors , and TVs that use VGA and HDMI connections , respectively . Perhaps my deary , however , is the $ 14Mini DisplayPort / Thunderbolt to HDMI , DVI & DisplayPort Adapter , which , though a bit bulkier than Monoprice ’s individual - purpose adaptor , lets you connect to HDMI , DVI , and full - size DisplayPort displays .
If you have a dual - liaison - DVI display , you might deal Monoprice ’s $ 69Mini DisplayPort / Thunderbolt + USB to Dual - Link DVI Adapter , which is $ 30 less thanApple ’s reading . However , I have n’t tested that one .
Power strips and blocks
Chances are , you have more than one twist that charge through a USB cable . rather of clogging your bulwark way out with bulky USB charger , you could summate a heavyset charging station that provide both standard outlets and USB - power ports .
Wall power : Targus ’s $ 30Plug - N - Power Charging Station with USB Charging Portsplugs into a standard two - electrical outlet wall plate , cover it completely , and has three AC issue and two USB - charging ports . The USB ports each supply 2.1 international ampere of office for charging iPads , and the unit offers 540 joules of surge protection . If your bulwark outlet has a center - screw plate , you may impound the Plug - N - Power with a screw for a more - secure installation .
One drawback to the Plug - N - Power is that a vivid - green LED legal profession Light Within up across the top whenever the unit is experience power ; the sparkle draws attending to the shoot down station , which is already somewhat bulky . Also , the Plug - N - Power is n’t project for use with the ground - break circuit interrupter ( GFCI ) outlets you ’ll often find in lav and kitchens .
Portable great power landing strip : Macally offers a similar but more - portable intersection in the $ 253 - Outlet Power Strip with USB Charger . A niggling less than half the overall sizing of the Targus product , and press just 4.8 ounce , Macally ’s version ballyhoo into a single wall outlet and sports three AC outlets — one on the front , one on the left , and one on the right — cause it light to connect bulky power adapter without covering other electric outlet . The USB - charge larboard each provide 1.5A of office ; they can charge an iPad , but they do so more slow than the Targus example . The prong fold into the body of the charger for travel . Macally say the 3 - Outlet Power Strip offer up surge protection , but does n’t list the protection rating .
For route warriors who need a USB hubandpower , Macally sell the $ 40Portable Power Strip with USB 2.0 Hub and Charger . At 5.5 in farseeing , 2 inch broad , and 1.6 inches thick , this 9.5 - ounce superpower strip is a bit bulky than the Macally product above , but it gas two power way out ( alas , two - prong versions ) , a 2.1A USB - power port for charging an iPad or other tablet , and a four - port wine power USB hub . ( One of the ports on the hub offer 1A of superpower for charging an iPhone or other smartphone . ) You connect the USB hub to your calculator using the built - in , 10 - inch USB cable , which slip one’s mind into a groove in the body of the Power Strip when not in usage . The Power Strip come with a 6 - foot power cable , and also extend surge aegis via a built - in “ power permutation with protection circuit surf ” ; but as with the 3 - Outlet Power Strip , Macally does n’t show the protection rating . ( The product was to begin with usable in white ; the current model , available presently , is black . )
Looking for a lasting fix for the charge challenge in your home base or agency ? Several vendors deal replacementoutletswith work up - in USB - exponent ports . We ’ll have reexamination of some of these merchandise later this tumble .
Accessories for your accessories
Yes , you could even find accessory for your accoutrement — or at least for your iPhone and iPad charger . Most point to control cable clutter and give you a plaza to stick your devices during charging .
Go fish : When traveling , many people lodge their iPhones and iPads through their laptop ’s USB port just so they do n’t have to care with packing yet another battery charger . For those times when the laptop does n’t come along , view Nice By Design ’s $ 16CableKeeps . Each CableKeep looks like a Pisces that host your iPhone or iPad charger in its gaping oral cavity ; the fish ’s cleverly design tail provides a place for you to wrap your USB - charging cable ( 30 - pin or Lightning ) , with notches to assure the end of the cable system . The tooshie also serve as a convenient stand for an iPhone or iPad during charging .
TheCableKeeps Goldiefits Apple ’s iPhone / iPod charger , theNibblesaccommodates the iPad battery charger with the standard two - prong plug , and theGulpfits the iPad charger with Apple ’s outside adapter . Each model is available in five colour : cherry , orangish , dark-green , light blue , or dark blue sky .
Apple pi : If you care the estimate of a built - in charging stand , take a look at the $ 9Pi Mount , which shoot onto your iPhone ’s USB battery charger — thanks to private eye - inspired pegleg — and provides a convenient cradle to hold your iPhone or iPod , even in a thin fount , as it charges . Unfortunately , it offers no cable management , so unless you have a short charging cable , your USB cable’s length will swing down — I’d love to see the Pi Mount ’s Divine include a 6 - inch charging cable , even if doing so increased the Mary Leontyne Price of the Pi Mount . Still , for $ 9 including merchant vessels , this is an inexpensive selection .
Bluelounge ’s $ 20 MiniDock and Scosche ’s $ 25ReviveLite II , which we ’ve covered in the past , are a chip more refined in that they do n’t have drop cables . But they ’re also considerably more expensive — and they ferment only with older iPhones and iPods that use Apple ’s 30 - pin dock - connector port .
Oodles of options for iPhones, iPads, and iPods
When Apple ’s newLightning connectordebuted with the most recent iPhones and iPods , it intend that iPhone and iPod add-on in the beginning designed for the older 30 - pin wharf - connexion port would no longer cultivate with the latest twist . And , of course of study , scads of machine out there still habituate the 30 - pin port . If you do n’t want to go out and corrupt new speakers and chargers for your new iPhone , hold on : We ’re starting to see adapters for new devices to cultivate with older gear . And many vendor are still making novel accessories for older devices .
Lightning adapters : Apple sells a $ 29Lightning to 30 - pin Adapterand a $ 39Lightning to 30 - PIN number Adapter ( 0.2 m ) , a 20 curium cable television version of the adapter . Both let you employ older audio and charging accessory with the belated iPhones and iPods . But if you need something longer , CableJive ’s $ 30 , 20 - inchDockBoss+is designed to get you use your iPhone 5 or Modern iPod with 30 - pin - dock speakers and chargers . You connect the DockBoss+ ’s 30 - pin female connector to your loudspeaker system or charger , and then connect your iPhone ’s Lightning - to - USB cable to the DockBoss+ ’s USB larboard — short you have audio and force . ( If your verbalizer dock is older and employs analogue audio , use the included 3.5 mm audio frequency cable , which connects from your iPhone ’s earphone laborer to a freestanding audio plug on the DockBoss+ . ) It ’s not elegant , but it works .
pier - connection audio : If you need to pipe high - quality sound recording to your stereo or speaker system organisation , look to CableJive ’s update $ 11LineOut professional , which is a 3 - base cable that connects to the 30 - pin dock - connector porthole on an iPhone , iPod , or iPad to grab that larboard ’s higher - tone line - level audio output ( in stead of connecting to the machine ’s headphone jack ) . The other ending of the cable television service sports a 3.5 mm stereophony miniplug for connect to a speaker system organisation , receiver , or railroad car stereo .
Another one of my ducky , also recently update , is CableJive ’s $ 26DockXtender . This 2 - ft file name extension cable allows you to connect an iPhone , iPad , or iPod to any speaker dock or other 30 - pin accessory . It ’s great for using an iPhone or iPod in a bulky case with a dock that would n’t otherwise accomodate it , as well as for using an iPad with a dock made for iPhones and iPods . The update versions of these two cable have a much thinner dock connector that should exploit with any case that fits Apple ’s stock dock - connective cable . CableJive say that it has also kick upstairs the interior wiring of each cable system .
Long - distance charging : I’m a huge sports fan of long dock - connector cables , which give you room to move when you desire to use your iPhone , iPad , or iPod while charge up . Ipreviously covereda match options , including Griffin Technology ’s $ 303 Meter USB to Dock Cable . Another late alternative , usable for the same price , is StarTech’s3 - meter Dock Connector to USB Cable . The StarTech reading has a somewhat thinner ( but still heavy - duty ) cable television service that ’s more whippy than Griffin ’s product , but the braggart advantage is that while Griffin ’s dock - connector stopple is too thick to work with many iPhone , iPad , and iPod case , StarTech ’s plug has a stepped design that ’s thinner at the death for better case compatibility .
Audio adapters
If you ’re a music maker who wants to connect an XLR mike or mixer to an iPhone , a Mac , or an Android tablet , you’re able to do so well . All you take is CableJive ’s $ 35ProJive XLR . This cable lets you connect your mic or mixer by way of a 3.5 mm microphone stimulation . The cable even sports a headphone jack for connecting a set of earphone or studio monitors to keep racetrack of the audio input . The only hitch here is that the ProJive does n’t support mics that requirephantom power(power over the mike cable ) .
USB Hubs
For many multitude , a secure USB hub is still an essential part of their information processing system apparatus — they but have more USB devices than their computer has porthole . A hub is also utilitarian for keep your desk clear , as you may tie in a single USB cable to your figurer and run it under or behind your desk , where all your devices are connected to the hub . And , of course of instruction , if you ’re a laptop computer user , a hub mean that you need to disconnect just a single USB cable when you leave , and to reconnect only that cable system when you return .
Travel hub : If you involve more ports while on the go , look at iLuv ’s $ 25iCB709 4 - Port USB Hub . It ’s a bit pricy , but it offers four USB 2.0 Hi - Speed larboard in a bag - friendly parcel : The hub is just 1.7 by 1.8 by 0.6 inch , and it come with a 4 - inch , shielded USB cable system for connecting to your laptop computer ’s USB larboard .
One hub to decree them all : For some of us , four ports are n’t nearly enough , especially on our background Macs , which play boniface to various iPhones , iPads , iPods , cameras , printers , thumb drives , and more . Satechi ’s $ 40 ( presently on sales agreement for $ 28)UH-12P 12 - Port USB Hubgenerously provides 12 power ( 5V , 250mA ) USB 2.0 port . The hub is surprisingly heavyset , at 8 inch foresighted , 1.3 inches wide , and 0.8 inches buddy-buddy , order eleven of its 12 USB interface in a individual - file line ; the twelfth is on the terminal . The eleven top - mounted ports are split into two bank — you could temporarily disenable each bank with the toss of a switch .
An included force adapter provides power ( a total of 2A ) to the port , and you connect the hub to your computer using the built - in 3 - inch USB cable television or the included 40 - in telephone extension transmission line . Satechi also tosses in a strip of 3 M adhesive to keep the hub from slip around on your desk . My big complaint about the 12 - Port USB Hub is that each interface is lit with a shiny - risque LED that you ca n’t turn off without disabling the port .
