STACK #219 January 2023

TECH FEATURE

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continued POWERING UP The need to keep devices constantly charged can be easily overlooked when the busy school year begins. When a laptop or tablet runs dry at an inconvenient moment, a portable power bank can offer an instant fix, while wireless and USB chargers will quickly charge several devices at once. Power in the bank Wonderfully wireless

P ortable power banks provide a quick and easy charging solution, and are a must-have addition to a school bag. These compact, high capacity batteries can deliver several full charges – but of course you must keep the power bank itself regularly charged. The type of devices you want to charge, how often, and how quickly, determines the type of power bank you need. Many support fast charging for compatible devices, and multi-port banks charge several

W ireless chargers are a convenient way to power up devices without the clutter of cables and adaptors. They come in a variety of types, from charging pads and magnetic discs, to docks and stands, and some can be installed in the car. A wireless charger requires a physical ‘magnetic handshake’ between the charger and device to deliver a constant and stable charge, however a thin plastic phone case up to 3mm shouldn’t create an obstacle. Qi is the universal standard for wireless charging, so a device needs to be Qi-certified to use a wireless charger. And always check the device’s specs for fast charge capability, and choose one with high wattage for faster charging.

devices simultaneously. Capacity is king

Charge is measured in milliamps per hour (mAh), and the higher it is, the longer a power bank will last. This also determines the number of charge cycles in reserve. A 20,000mAh power bank should be sufficient to charge multiple devices taken to school, like a phone, tablet, laptop

and earbuds. Watts up

CYGNETT Powerbase III 15W Wireless Charger Providing fast 15W charging for phones and earbuds, the Powerbase III includes an integrated USB-C cable and raised charging platform to suit larger phones.

Most smartphones require 5W to charge and tablets up to 12W, while QI-certified fast charging uses 18W to speed things up. The amount of watts you need in a power bank will depend on a device’s power consumption and how many will be charged simultaneously.

MOPHIE SNAP+ 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand and Pad MagSafe compatible and with a designated spot for AirPods, the Snap+ delivers fast charging for Qi-enabled phones – 7.5W for iOS and 15W for Android.

Belkin BoostUp 10K 3-Port Power Bank This versatile 10,000mAh power bank charges

up to three devices at once with a combined 15W, and includes 1x USB-C and 2x USB-A ports.

Cygnett ChargeUp Pro Series 25K Power Bank Need more grunt? With a 25,000mAh battery, a massive 118W power output, this three-port bank will charge a USB-C laptop and other devices simultaneously.

C is for charge

USB-C laptop chargers have started to replace the traditional power brick. USB-C charging delivers faster power for larger devices like laptops up to 100W, and up to 18W for phones. It’s important to note, however, that while many laptops and phones now

Power points • Fully charge a power bank at least every 1–2 months depending on usage. • Never let a power bank’s capacity reach zero before recharging. • How quickly a power bank can change your devices is denoted by the Ampere (A) number. The higher it is, the faster the charging. • Always keep power banks away from direct heat – never leave them in a hot car over summer.

support USB-C charging, not all USB-C ports can be used for charging. Always refer to the device’s specs if in doubt.

HP USB-C 65W Travel Power Adapter This compact adapter will charge the latest USB-C laptops, and features adaptable voltage up to 20V and a surge protector.

24 JANUARY 2023

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