A Geek Goes Flying

I have an old (9 years?!) iPad Pro 9.7" that’s still in immaculate condition. It runs a little slowly these days, and the battery life has degraded, but for getting productive stuff done during random intervals during the day, it’s still a contender. I had it equipped with a Zagg keyboard case ‡ , but after about 2 years of light use, the hinge split on the keyboard part, and I figured it was time to try something else. Priced at $149 when it was a current SKU , the Apple Smart Keyboard for this old iPad is now available for $35 “renewed” on Amazon . Attaching to the “Smart Connector,” it doesn’t require a separate battery to be charged, it doesn’t rely on flaky Bluetooth, and like most Apple tech, it ‘just works.’™ The feel takes a  lot  of getting used to (it’s not a typical “chicklet” keyboard, it’s ... weird ...), but once you do it’s quite serviceable. It folds up to prop up the iPad in landscape orientation at a recline, that makes it a decent writing-on-the-go platform,...

I’ve had good luck with Anker and UGREEN (the later surprised me, frankly, usually names like that are sus), but rarely pick Baseus (looks like, so far, I’ve only bought USB C charging cables with LED displays from the brand; no complaints with those so far, after almost a year of use). But I needed an adapter with a fair amount of power on at least two USB C ports to MagSafe charge an iPhone, etc., both at my reading/listening nook and in my tech tote . Amazon was running a sale on the Baseus CCXFK100CS 100W charger (a/k/a the Baseus EnerFill FE11 Fast Charger 2C+U), which, for $40 or so, is a steal. Single port, each of the USB C ports will push 100W (20V⎓5A), or 22.5W out of the USB A port. Using both USB C ports, 70W out of C1 and 30W out of C2; if using a USB C and the USB A, either USB C will push 70W and 22.5W out of the A port. More than enough to charge an iPhone and MacBook Air or even smaller Pro at the same time. Using all three ports, it’s still pushing respectable numb...

Anker 615 USB Power Strip Picked up the Anker 615 (A9125) for my “ remote office .” Love this gadget. Manual . Wraps up neatly to travel compactly, but once on site the cord unwraps to 3' in length, with (2) 125V AC outlets and a combination of USB ports that can provide up to 65W USB-C PD, or a more usable 45W on one and 18W on the other, or (still enough to run a MacBook Air, recharge an iPad, and ...) 30W/20W/12W with all three USB ports occupied: USB-A: 5V ⎓ 2.4A (12W max) USB-C 1 / USB-C 2: 5V ⎓ 3A/9V ⎓ 3A/15V ⎓ 3A; 20V ⎓ 3.25A (65W max each port)  USB-C 1 + USB-C 2: USB-C 1: 5V ⎓ 3A/9V ⎓ 3A/15V ⎓ 3A/20V ⎓ 2.25A (45W max) USB-C 2: 5V ⎓ 3A/9V ⎓ 2A (18W max) USB-C 1 + USB-C 2 + USB-A: USB-C 1: 5V ⎓ 3A/9V ⎓ 3A/15V ⎓ 2A/20V ⎓ 1.5A (30W max) USB-C 2: 5V ⎓ 3A/9V ⎓ 2.22A (20W max) USB-A: 5V ⎓ 2.4A (12W max) USB-C 1 / USB-C 2 + USB-A: USB-C 1 / USB-C 2: 5V ⎓ 3A/9V ⎓ 3A/15V ⎓ 3A/20V ⎓ 2.25A (45W max) USB-A: 5V ⎓ 2.4A (12W max) Anker 525 Charging Station Definitely a usable gizmo. Not ...