> >The whole wall wart is thing is so inelegant that it cries out for a 
> >solution but obviously I'm too stooopid to figure just what that is 
> >exactly. I can just about guarantee it will be one of those 
> duh moments 
> >when we see the solution and whoever does will make a load of cash 
> >if/when they get it right.
> 
> The "most right" one I have seen so far is the wart supplied 
> with my Palm. 
> It is a switcher that is small and light, and has an American 
> 2 parallel pin connector that folds 90 degrees to tuck it 
> away for packing. In the folded position you can slide on 
> adapter plugs for other countries, making it as universal as 
> it could possibly be - assuming you can get the adapter for 
> the country you are going to next.
> 
> And at 5V at about an amp it would make a pretty neat test 
> bench supply. 


I've got a couple of those from Palm as well, but mine came with a bunch of
connectors for the various countries.  Apple do them as well.

Switchmode plugpacks don't cause too many problems since they're lighter &
thinner, but I've only ever seen 5v versions.  (Nokia are 6v?)  Laptops
don't count as they have a cable.  You'd think they'd be cheaper than the
old ones.  Especially with copper at $US7k/ton, down from $US9K!  Just goes
to show what economies of scale and existing capital can do for you.

I doubt the plugpack is ever going to go away.  It would be nice to be able
to have a standard where stuff can be powered off the PC.  There's a
high-power variant of USB, essentially a second port that just supplies
power.  Shows up on Dell laptops.  Possibly 'not-a-standard' thing.

The USB Hub power supplies are nice too, 4-port ones come with a 2 amp
supply, and I've seen 4 amp (!) ones as well.

Tony

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