The $15 power strip that fixed my backup battery problem

I kept having my laptop die during video calls because my portable battery bank was too slow to charge while I was using the laptop. Tried three different power banks and wasted about $60 before I figured out the trick. I just needed a basic power strip with a surge protector and a way to plug into different outlets as I moved around hostels. Found a small Onn strip at a Walmart in Bangkok for $15 that has a short cord and two USB ports. Now I can charge my laptop and phone at the same time without hunting for an empty outlet. Has anyone else dealt with slow charging in shared spaces or found a better workaround?

2 comments

2 Comments

olivia_hernandez1mo ago

Wasted about $60 before I figured out the trick" speaks to my soul. I've thrown money at bad chargers too, thinking a higher wattage would fix everything. A simple power strip with USB ports really is the best hack for shared spaces.

park.riley1mo ago

$60 is rookie numbers, I spent almost $100 on a "fast charging brick" at the airport that barely did anything. It was just a cheap Chinese knockoff with a fancy label. Now I hoard those old school 5W chargers like they're gold, they never let me down.