Since moving to Wales, we’ve been making regular trips back to Yorkshire – a 4-hour trip, each way. As Justin drives, I like to spend my time in the passenger seat working on the laptop. Unfortunately, with multiple apps & energy-sapping programs open, the battery doesn’t last for the entire journey. Often, the battery on my iPhone does the same; not good if we break down and need to phone the AA. I need a powerbank that can top up our tech on the go.
We’re not the type of people who upgrade our smartphones, laptops and tablets on a regular basis. We have a 2013 MacBook Pro, I have an iPhone SE and Justin has an iPhone 4 and (relatively) ancient iPad. All of the above work well, so there’s no real need to trade them in or toss them out. However, what this means is that most of the portable chargers on the market don’t work with our 7-year-old MacBook Pro.
I could opt for the cheap & cheerful, sub-tenner option of a power bank that charges just our iPhones and Justin’s iPad. It only weighs 75g, so it can just be popped into a coat pocket or handbag.
Unlike the mid-range battery pack, the most expensive of the portable chargers clearly states that it will work with our particular model of machine. Despite this, I’m in two minds as to whether splashing out £130 is a worthwhile investment for a couple of hours use a couple of times per month… What do you think?
- Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank: £9.99, Argos
Suitable for any smartphone, ipad, tablet, e-reader and any USB Type-A powered device. 2 hours recharge time. Weighs 75g. - RAVPower USB C portable charger 20100mAh with built-in AC outlet / power bank / external battery pack (Type-C port, dual USB iSmart ports) for laptops, smartphones etc.: £67.49, Amazon
Enough juice to charge an iPhone 7 5.6 times, a Galaxy S8 3.7 times, or a 12″ MacBook once. Recharges in 4 hours. Boxed-product weight: 1.2kg. - BatPower ProE 2 EX7B portable charger external battery power bank for Apple Macbook Pro Macbook, Air Mac Retina 2006-2015 Laptop, QC 3.0 USB ports, fast charging for tablet & smartphone – 98Wh: £129.99, Amazon
Charges a MacBook Pro 1 time, Macbook Air approach 1.5 times, iPad Mini 1 approach 2.5 times, iPhone 6 times, Recharges in around 2-3 hours via the BatPower 90W A90 AC Adapter (included). Boxed-product weight: 1.3kg.
- Energizer Max 3000mAh Polymer portable powerbank: £9.99, Argos
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