Digital Trends

APC TravelPower Backpack January 26th, 2004 | by Jeff Fila

Price and Compatibilty

The TravelPower backpack that we tested can be found online for around $120. That may seem quite expensive for a backpack, but remember, it includes a universal charger that includes eight different laptop connectors and an AC, auto, and air adapter. Considering that a Targus universal AC/DC notebook adapter with five tips is selling for around $129 and we found a Kensington AC/car/air adapter with 10 tips for $119, we think that the TravelPower backpack is a very good deal.

In order to power or charge your PDA or wireless phone with the APC power adapter, you'll need to purchase a separate USB power adapter for each device. These adapters can usually be found for about $20. One additional bonus of buying a USB charger is that you can hook it up to your computer to charge your devices also. In a pinch, USB chargers can even draw power from a laptop battery if you need to make an emergency call.

APC makes USB power adapters for many popular wireless phones including models from Alcatel, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Panasonic, Seimens and Samsung. They also offer USB chargers for many PDAs made by Compaq, Handspring, Palm and Sony. Other manufacturers also make USB chargers so if you don't find your device in APC's list, check around the Web.

The eight tips included with the TravelPower backpack will work with most major brands of laptops, but before you purchase, visit APC's Website to confirm compatibility with your laptop and other portable devices. They also have an extensive list of USB chargers for phones and PDAs.

While the first two laptops we tried were not compatible, keep in mind that we review the latest products so the products we have on hand are very new. Also, since this is a 75 watt power adapter, it can't power the desktop replacement laptops anyway. A typical desktop replacement requires a 120 watt or more power supply. If you have a laptop by one of the manufacturers listed, chances are the TravelPower case will work for you.

Conclusion

The APC TravelPower line of notebook cases is an innovative idea that many mobile professionals will really appreciate. Its ability to allow you to decrease the number of cables you travel with, organize all of your travel essentials and charge your mobile equipment with a single device gives it that “cool factor” that we are always looking for at Designtechnica.

The blue color of the backpack may not appeal to all, but we've heard that APC is going to start selling them in more colors in the near future. While the other models of the TravelPower cases are black and may be more “professional-oriented” we would have liked to see the backpack in black also.

We'd also like to see APC provide compatibility with Apple notebooks as well as USB chargers for more phones in the future. The first three phones we tried did not have USB adapters available.

If you can find a USB charger for your devices and the adapters work with your laptop, the APC TravelPower backpack is a great way to travel with your devices.