Are power bars/surge protectors with built-in USB chargers Worth It?

[froggyboy604]

I think power bars/surge protectors with a built-in USB charger are not worth paying extra money for. I rather buy a power bar with more power outlets, better surge protection, and a longer power cable.

Many full size tower PC have many USB ports which can be used to charge phones. Users can easily add more USB ports for charging things like phones by installing a PCI USB port expansion card which cost around $10 dollars for the more basic PCI USB 3.0 cards.

Users can also buy a USB hub with a AC wall power adapter for around $10 or less on eBay, Amazon, and other shopping sites.

A USB hub can be used for both charging devices like phones, and transferring files from a USB drive to a PC, smartphone/tablet, and other storage device.

USB wall chargers are also not that expensive, and most smartphones/tablets, and other devices come with a USB wall charger.

There are also affordable $10 USB chargers with 2 or more USB ports, and you can take them with you where ever you go.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

Right now.... hrmmmm, maybe? I know ten years from now the common plug is going to be USB.

 

[froggyboy604]

Right now.... hrmmmm, maybe? I know ten years from now the common plug is going to be USB.

I agree the common plug can be USB when USB can handle more power, and faster data transfer speeds in around 10 years.

I think having surge protectors and power bars with built-in USB chargers will be useful for hotels, and other places which is more likely to have foreign people like tourists, immigrants, and foreign students living in them. Different countries where their standalone USB smartphone chargers without an plug converter adapter won't work on power outlets in North America which has two parallel, vertical holes, and a round ground plug.

But, it maybe cheaper to use a standalone USB hub with an external power adapter, or buy a standalone USB charger with 4 or more USB charging ports on the charger.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

I agree the common plug can be USB when USB can handle more power, and faster data transfer speeds in around 10 years.

I think having surge protectors and power bars with built-in USB chargers will be useful for hotels, and other places which is more likely to have foreign people like tourists, immigrants, and foreign students living in them. Different countries where their standalone USB smartphone chargers without an plug converter adapter won't work on power outlets in North America which has two parallel, vertical holes, and a round ground plug.

But, it maybe cheaper to use a standalone USB hub with an external power adapter, or buy a standalone USB charger with 4 or more USB charging ports on the charger.

I just looked at a computer tower the other day which the only way it took power was through a usb cord, a bit of a specialized usb plug but use none the less.

 

[froggyboy604]

I just looked at a computer tower the other day which the only way it took power was through a usb cord, a bit of a specialized usb plug but use none the less.

There is a LG PC monitor which takes power from a USB-C cable connected to a PC. Some monitors use as much power or more power than an average non-gaming laptop used for office work.