Surge protection is one of those things, like data backup, that you don’t deal with until you’ve been burned.
I had my first warning last year at Panera… While using their free WiFi on a work-provided Dell, the wall outlet fried my laptop. It wasn’t a total loss, but the battery/unit would no longer charge. Fortunately, my employer swapped my existing hard drive into a new computer. But I didn’t learn my “naked” power lesson.
Two weeks ago, at home, my Macbook Pro power adapter (near where it connects to the computer) started smoking and melted. Fortunately, I was working on it at the time and was able to quickly remove the adapter from both the computer and the non-protected wall outlet before starting a fire. (I’m sure my landlord thanks me.) And this finally motivated me enough to do something…
I remembered reading about Monster Outlets to Go over on jkOnTheRun. The compact strip of outlets looked promising — something that would protect my gear and travel well in my backpack. Amazon sells the 4-outlet model, but I noticed MonsterCable.com is offering a slightly smaller 3-outlet strip which I picked up for about $15.
After using it for a few days with my laptop and phones, I got around to reading the fine print… Outlets to Go do not offer true surge protection, just a simple breaker. I can’t say I know much regarding the difference between surge protection and a circuit breaker, but off I went on to hunt for a portable “surge-protected” adapter.
I came across a Belkin model at Amazon which had positive reviews, so I picked that up – also for about $15. Instead of 3 outlets, like the Monster, this unit has two and includes protection for telephone or Ethernet cables, though I’m mostly wireless these days.
In the end I’ll be using both, as they both have their place. I don’t trust the power in my apartment — it’s killed too many lightbulbs (plus the Mac adapter) and we always hear the computer UPS clicking or beeping in the den when we turn on the bedroom light. The physical design of the Belkin is more limiting than Monster in terms what it can plug into and what can plug into it. So I’ll be using the Belkin at home for my laptop and cellphone charging near the living room couch. The Outlets to Go may be less protected, but I choose to believe it’s safer than nothing and they really do travel well.
Originally published on the Amazon Daily blog.
By the way, the Apple Store was very efficient in exchanging my adapter. They could tell by looking at it exactly what had happened (and probably wanted it off the streets before someone blogged it with pics) and several of our Sling laptops are still under warranty (I didn’t bring mine and didn’t know the serial number). In under 15 mins their records were updated and I was on my way with a new adapter. Based on prior experiences, it would have taken several calls and “troubleshooting” before Dell would have shipped a replacement.
Actually Dell instituted a recall on faulty adapters going back 6 years or more. Shipped free, all you had to do was ask for one. Still can, as far as I know.
I didn’t have to wait for my laptop to almost catch fire before getting it, is what I’m saying. Dell stepped up and said “These were faulty, and we’re replacing them all at our cost.” Instead of, you know, denying the problem in public and just quietly replacing them in stores.
My Dell speculation is based on numerous similar experiences in dealing with them for years both professionally and personally (200+ work-related Dells have been under my care, my two projector-powering HTPCs were Dells, and we still have a Dell laptop in the apt but have never been notified of an adapter recall.). I’ve heard their support has improved recently (and the new M1330 looks sexy), but nothing beats the efficiency of walking into a store and swapping a part. Though the same day service we had (for our server farm) through HP was impressive (at a cost).