Use Interchangeable Power Cords to Streamline Packing

Feed: HackCollege

Use Interchangeable Power Cords to Streamline Packing

This right here would be what we're trying to avoid. Image courtesy of Flickr user tr67. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

When you're traveling, packing up cords can be a much bigger pain than it ought to be. Most electronic devices in the Kindle/iPod/iPad/phone vein don't take up much space, but syncing cords and docking stations do--not to mention, they get tangled and they're easy to lose when you travel. However, if you're lucky, you're using devices that charge primarily via USB--as all the iDevices, the Kindle, and many phones do.

Pick one of your devices that has a removeable USB-AC power adapter (or buy one for cheap if you don't own one). Chargers like this a really two separate pieces: the USB-AC adapter, which plugs into the wall, and a USB cable which plugs from your device into your computer, typically for syncing/charging purposes. For an entire trip, you only need one USB-AC adapter--if you pack that, along with just the USB cables which are device-specific (and lightweight), you can charge all of your devices from a wall even if you don't shell out for device-specific travel chargers. This way you have fewer bulky outlet adapters to deal with and/or lose, and you can charge all of your USB-charging devices even without a computer--great if you're visiting somewhere where you don't need a laptop but want to listen to music or read an eBook.

For the remaining USB-to-device cables, this tip from Lifehacker works as well for cords as it does for headphones--and will keep your cables untangled, separate, and undamaged while they stay in your bag. Traveling is stressful enough as it is--your electronics don't need to contribute to that.

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