Cool accoutrements for the traveling technologist

If you’re a heavy technology user – and let’s face it, who isn’t these days? – you’re always looking for ways to make your gadgets more usable on the road. As if adding more gadgets to your complement of gadgets could somehow make the trip more comfortable, if not civil.

Well, maybe it can.

Take the Multi-Globe world travel adapter, an odd-looking contraption that allows you to connect to electrical outlets in more than 140 countries. When I picked up the Multi-Globe for the first time, I almost dismissed it as the latest gimmick for road warriors. But sure enough, this electrical travel adapter really does fit almost any plug in the world. At 2.6 ounces, it’s considerably lighter and less bulky than having to carry five or six power adapters on your next trip. The $24.95 price isn’t so unreasonable when you consider what other power adapter sets typically cost.

There’s bad news for those of you who travel regularly to Afghanistan, Benin, South Africa, Sri Lanka or Swaziland – the Multi-Globe won’t work there, so you’ll need to buy an individual power adapter. And don’t forget to read the directions. I paid close attention to the warnings about the adapter not being a voltage or frequency converter and to the part about not using “excessive force” when adjusting the Multi-Globe, since adhering to them will probably prevent my laptop from spontaneously combusting in my hotel room.

Speaking of laptops, one of my favorite new accessories for the portable computer is the appropriately named Intrigo Lapstation. I couldn’t keep the portable desk in my office for more than a few days before one of my colleagues snatched it away. It’s easy to see why. The Lapstation looks as if it belongs in a science fiction movie, with its sleek, translucent appearance and elegant design. But, more to the point, it works. The Pro model opens to a 20-by-11 inch surface but folds to a size smaller than the average laptop. There are four optional expansion ports and thoughtful features like shock-absorbing molds and anti-slip surfaces. Best of all, the Lapstation is lighter than most laptops – only 2.8 pounds. Price: $69.95 from the company’s Web site.

By the way, I finally tracked the Lapstation down and discovered that it was being used by one of my co-workers to extend her working hours. How’s that? Seems she got into the habit of taking the Lapstation to bed with her – it fits almost perfectly over a person sitting upright in bed – and she’d catch up on writing or computer work between the sheets. One immediate benefit: not getting her lap singed by her PC, which tended to overheat after a half hour of use. I won’t elaborate on the other benefits, since this is a family Web site.

There’s no elegant way to transition to my next product, Iomega’s new Zip 250 USB drive. So I won’t even try. But in terms of practicality, this one ranks right up there with the previous two items. It weighs less than a pound and is perfect for laptop users, because it requires no external power source. Iomega boasts that the new Zip “can accompany the most demanding mobile computer user” but they probably weren’t thinking of me when they wrote that. I ran out of 250 megabytes too quickly – with 900 kilobyte-per-second transfer speeds, you look away from the screen and the disk is full.

Installing the Zip 250 was a snap, which I really liked. Too many of the newer peripherals require an elaborate step-by-step process to get up and running, and not all of them are hot-swappable like the Zip. My biggest complaint was the QuikSync instant backup utility that shipped with the unit. It would only back up files from a hard drive to a Zip, not from one hard drive to another like I wanted it to, and it proved difficult to configure even then (Iomega says it’s working on fixing that). Cost: $179. If your other PCs use Iomega storage systems, it’s worth looking into.

One final accessory to mention: the Upright Virtual Office from Atlantic Luggage. I know I’ve written about this three-in-one business case, computer case and wheeled overnight bag before, but the longer I carry it with me, the more I like it. The thoughtful design lets you access the gadgets you need at a moment’s notice without having to unpack the entire bag, and in this accelerated economy where time is money, my Upright Virtual has probably already paid for itself. The only downside that I can think of is that it really is an overnight bag – don’t even think of taking it on the road for more than 24 hours unless you bring another carry-on. And it’s only available in black so that other passengers can get it confused for their property. Price: $169.

If you know of any peripherals or products that make your travels easier, let me know. E-mail me at christopher@elliott.org or drop by my Web site and share your thoughts. As always, don’t forget to include your full name, what you do for a living, and the city or town you live in.

Have a productive trip.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

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