Laptop Charger Travel Tip
As you may know, I travel about 300 days a year doing hypnosis shows and life coaching seminars. All that time in airports really adds up, and if you’re a road warrior like me you know there’s nothing worse than having your laptop battery (or cellphone or ipod) die in the middle of a long trip. It kills your productivity and you end up sitting around watching bad airplane movies and munching on things to pass the time.
I’ve tried using a second laptop battery to solve this problem, but it requires that you shut down all of your programs and tun off the machine to use it. This can be very inconvenient if you have a lot of different projects open on your screen. Also, it doesn’t charge any of your other gadgets when you need it.
I’ve also tired using an airplane charger. Nice idea, but I flew Southwest twice today and none of their planes have the input for it. I’ve found that most planes don’t have a way to charge your laptop from your seat.
The best solution I’ve found by far is the Energizer Energi To Go. This is a portable battery with both a standard three prong adapter and two USB power ports.
With this handy little backup battery you can simultaneously charge your laptop, cellphone, and iPod while you’re cruising at 30,000 feet! It also comes with a car adapter so you can recharge the unit while on the road.
It costs around $120 and you can find it in most airport gadget stores.
There is also a competing product called the Duracell PowerSource Mobile 100 but I’ve never seen it sold in an airport shop (which is where the urge to buy such an item is most like to hit).
Here’s a short video showing the Energizer version. Pick one of these up before your next trip and you can stay charged up and productive all day long 
NOTE: Comments are now closed. Here is what was posted…
Caterina
It’s a little expensive. How much time will this battery buy me?
Joshua Seth
Hi Caterina,
It’s cheaper than an external laptop battery and much more versatile. The amount of time you will get from it depends on the type of laptop you use.
NOTE: If you get this device, make sure to remove it from your carry-on bag and place it a tray, just like you do with your laptop. I have had a “bag check” twice because it looks so strange on the x-ray machine.
-Joshua
Josh
where buy?
jimdavis
Great tips. I am amazed with it. I can tell it was really helpful for all travelers and that includes me. Thank you very much for the tips Joshua.
Jim
Joshua Seth
Hi Josh,
I bought mine in an Airport Wireless store.
Here’s a current listing of stores with competitive prices for those who are interested:
http://tinyurl.com/4wktbs
Alheli
Josh, thank you for sharing your energizer energy to go. I need to get one of those look like a great idea!
have a good weekend
Alheli
Natalie
Thanks Josh for this useful tip..it was introduced in a very effective manner too!! must get one to recharge my patience at home too
Grace
Wow, I had no idea such a thing existed. That’s a very good price, too! You know, the combination of your voice, the background music, and what the airport looks like, I almost want to direct you to a “save point”…..I play Xenosaga WAAAAAY too much! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! I know it’s early, but better than my usual day late and a dollar short
Justin
i hope they’re paying you….i want one.
Joshua Seth
Lol, no Justin, they’re not paying me. I just found this device really useful and a brand new solution to a common travel problem.
Grace is referring to a video game I voice by the way. For those of you who don’t know, I used to be one of the busiest voice over actors in Hollywood and voiced over 60 TV series, Movies, and video games. Xenosaga was one of them.
dan l
Thanks for your output////have a safe memorial day.
Michael
I like the addition of YTube to your blog.
Diane
I need to know how much it weighs. For the first time in awhile I didn’t take my computer because of all the weight restrictions from the airlines (fly cheap).
Have you tried the Bose headphones – I wouldn’t give those up for anything. They block so much airport noise and flight noise so I don’t seem as tired.
Jon – The DC Traveler
Cool device. In the next step of evolution of the solar backpack, soon there will be “green” chargers/batteries that use solar panels to charge up or can plug into the “grid”, USBs or car charges to get their power.
Popularity: 12% [?]
