should never be caught short, with Orico promising five hours of life for a 13in laptop. The SC28 can charge up to three devices at once, meaning you can power your laptop, phone and router all at once for the ideal mobile working solution. The device itself looks stylish, with a sleek aluminium alloy body that weighs in at just under 1kg, but should still easily slip into a
rucksack or laptop bag. Sennheiser MB 660 Wireless ANC Headset

A stylish and premium noise-cancelling headset thats perfect for meetings,
and music. Stylish design Excellent audio quality Long battery life Some volume level issues Expensive

In modern busy offices, it can be tricky to get some quiet - particularly if youre trying to carry out a conference call or video meeting from your desk. Sennheiser, which is perhaps better known for its consumer headphone line, is looking to address this with a new headset targeted at business customers.

The MB 660 may resemble normal cans style headphones, but in fact can act as
a Bluetooth-enabled wireless headset, allowing you to use them as a meeting accessory in todays UC-dominated workplace.

As you would expect from a brand such as Sennheiser, the audio quality is excellent, whether thats with a voice call, watching video or even listening to music. This is complimented by the noise-cancelling ability of the
headset, which comes with three separate settings that allow you to select your level of isolation. This high-standard audio quality does come at a price, but if you value your calls and media, it may be worth shelling out.

The headset comes with its own stylish and compact carry case, which also house the charging cables and USB connector. Battery life was excellent, with the headset not needing a recharge during our week-long test - and when we
did plug it in, recharging was quick and effective. Jackery Titan S portable battery charger

A stylish battery charger that can power a MacBook Three ports that can deliver at least 3A Enough juice to quickly recharge laptops or MacBooks Slippery casing 4-LED indicators

Jackery is a little known company that focuses - like so many out there - on producing portable laptop and smartphone chargers. Its flagship product is
the massive PowerPro, a 500Whr/140Ah Portable Power station rechargeable battery pack, The Jackery Titan S is a portable battery (72.4Whr) that can
not only charge your mobile or tablet but also, according to its
manufacturer, the popular Apple MacBook laptop.

We didnt have one at hand to test that claim sadly; note that it is also available in orange which for some reason has a lower capacity. Its black metal aluminium casing ensures that it will survive more than a few drops and it does feel very solid. Shame though about the sharper-than-usual edges on both sides and were not fans of the curvy profile of the Titan S as this caused it to slip a few times.

This is a portable charger/battery pack so dont expect too much innovation;
it doesnt switch off automatically but does identify the connected device by itself, charging it at the maximum permitted power.

Other than a big power button and a 4-led battery status indicators which means you will never really know when the item will be fully charged when you reach four blue dots or discharged when it shows one blue dot.

There are two full size USB ports - a 15W one (5V, 3A) and an 18W one (supporting variable voltages thanks to Quick Charge, up to 3.4A) - and a USB Type-C one that can deliver 15W power (5V, 3A); the latter can also be used
to charge the battery.

At 155 x 80 x 22mm for a weight of 435g, it is a tad smaller (volume wise)
and lighter than the Aukey Powerbank although the latter has a far superior capacity (30Ah compared to 20.1Ah). The Jackery Titan comes with a micro USB charging cable and a two-year warranty but no carry case. The item is out of stock in the UK at the time of writing. Sennheiser TeamConnect Wireless

A stylish and portable way to turn any room into a boardoom - but at a high price. Highly portable Quick and easy to set up Good audio quality and
pick-up High price

Many of us know the pain of conference calls being ruined by poor connection or call quality, and with many businesses today choosing to embrace mobile working ideas and services, the need to stay flexible yet connected is paramount.

Sennheiser is looking to solve these woes with its ultra-mobile TeamConnect Wireless - in essence a portable conference room, which can be packed up and carried around for workers on the go. Made up of four speakers, all carried around in a stylish case which doubles as a charging hub, the system can be connected to any laptop, smart device or VC system via Bluetooth, USB or
3.5mm jack.

Set-up is quick and easy, allowing users to get up and running in a matter of minutes, with Sennheiser saying the kit can support up to 24 participants at once. Our tests showed the audio quality to be very effective, even with multiple participants on different lines, with no connectivity issues.

The ultra-portable design of the TeamConnect Wireless is the major selling point here, as the stylish case is able to charge up the speakers to ensure you're never caught short, and takes up less space than a rucksack.

However this stylish product doesn't come cheap, costing 3,940, meaning it
may be out of the price range for some SMBs. For those that can splash out though, this is an eye-catching piece of kit that allows you to stay
connected and conversant with your team or customers wherever you are. (Image credit: Mike Moore) Jabra Evolve 75e Bluetooth earphones

A stylish, noise-cancelling addition for when you need some quiet at your desk. Compact design Comfortable fit Good sound quality Excellent battery
life Patchy Bluetooth connectivity

Offices can often be noisy places to work, so if you are looking to cut yourself off from the world around you, Jabra's latest Bluetooth headset
could be the answer.

The Jabra Evolve 75e is the company's latest attempt to help boost the productivity of office workers everywhere with a comfortable headset that offers long battery life and stylish design.

Jabra says that the Evolve 75e are the worlds first professional UC-certified wireless earbuds, making the device ideal for carrying out external or conference calls wherever you are without the need for tangled phone wires or complicated UC set-ups.

Set-up is simple, as the headset connects to your smartphone, laptop or desktop via Bluetooth and a USB plug-in. There's no need to download any
extra apps or services, meaning you can jump on calls right away. The sound quality was excellent, with the buds cancelling out the noise of an active workplace, and the in-built microphone able to deliver a clear input.

The only issue we had with the Evolve 75e is that Bluetooth connectivity
would occasionally drop for no apparent reason, but with the compact design and long battery life (Jabra promises up to 14 hours) provided, this seems like a minor hiccup. Aegis Secure Key 3Z

A super-tough USB storage option for everything you hold dear. Super secure Hard-wearing design Simple set-up and use High price tag

Keeping workplace data safe is a major consideration for many workers, and
the Aegis Secure Key 3Z features one of the toughest alternatives around.

Primarily targeting those workers who are out and about a lot, and also want to keep their valuable information secure, the device is equipped with a physical keypad to protect what's inside.

Despite only being the size of a regular USB stick, the Aegis Secure Key 3Z
is one tough cookie, able to stand up to almost any work environments. The rubber exterior, which is IP58 protective against dust and water, safeguards
a rugged aluminium build inside and out, meaning that there is no easy way to break into this device.

The Aegis Secure Key 3Z also features top-of-the-range encryption that meets government standards alongside the onboard keyboard to enter a custom PIN and access the data within. Despite all this protection, setting up and using the device is fairly straightforward, not requiring any extra software or complex processes, with all the protection contained within.

In fact, the only downside appears to be the high price - at $79 for the 8GB model we reviewed, this is a far pricier alternative than other devices
around today. But if security is your number one concern, then this is the storage device for you. diskAshur Pro 500GB

An PIN-protected way to make sure your data stays secure. High levels of security Powerful encryption protection Hard-wearing design, but light and portable Works across multiple operating systems High price tag Some availability issues

With data security becoming paramount for many of us these days, the
diskAshur Pro looks to offer a comprehensive security offering to ensure your important data stays intact.

The key selling point of the diskAshur Pro is its obvious physical security - the device comes with a keypad that will only grant access to the data stored within upon entering a PIN number. Far from your usual ATM PIN number though, the device requires an identifier between seven and 15 digits, offering far tougher security, with the number able to be quickly personalised and
changed, in order to keep your data safe.

Asides from the physical security (which extends to IP56 water and dust resistance and even a self-destruct feature), the diskAshur Pro also comes with some enviable encryption, sporting XTS-AES 256-bit real-time full disk hardware encryption and EDGE technology to offer even more levels of safety.

This version of the drive offers 500GB of storage, which should easily be enough to store all your vital documents, media and more, and connects to
your PC or laptop via a standard USB 3.1 port.

The diskAshur Pro works across all major operating systems, including
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux, and requires no extra additional software to be installed, meaning using the device is incredibly easy.

Getting hold of the product may be the main issue with the diskAshur Pro,
with the company manufacturing and selling many other models of the device on its site. We found this particular model for sale on Amazon for 211.96, and
on iStorage's own site for 209.

If you are able to get one, however, the diskAshur Pro is unparalleled in
both its physical and internal protection, and the compact build and hard-wearing design make this a must-have for the security-conscious.
Kingston Ironkey D300

For those looking for affordable peace of mind Storage: 8GB | Interface: USB 3.0 | Weight: 51g Durable Comes with AES-256 encryption Expensive on a per GB basis Cant be used out of the box

Plug in the Kingston Ironkey D300 (IKD300/8GB) in your computer and the first thing you will notice is that the drive shows up as a CD Drive with a 14.4MB capacity. Surely some mistake! Well, you actually need to initialise the
drive before using it for the first on any computer.

Note that Kingston strongly advises not to use the drive via a USB hub. Launching the application will request that you create a password (between eight and 16 characters) and will go on to format the drive.

You will confusingly end up with two drives, one with the initialisation software and the other one being the actual empty drive. Insert it in another computer (Linux, Mac or Windows) and you will be prompted to enter the right password.

Otherwise, as for other similar solutions on the market, enter the password wrong 10 times in a row and your content will be erased. As for the drive itself, it is an 8GB model with a zinc casing which also doubles as a heatsink as the D300 heats up a fair bit under use - and tamper-evident epoxy seal for physical security.

With its cap on, it is waterproof (up to 4ft) and dustproof and at 51g, feels solid. More importantly though, the more compelling protection happens inside the device itself. It is a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified device with 256-bit AES hardware encryption.

There is a hardware cryptographic module inside the device itself which means that the encryption and decryption is done on the drive rather than on the host PC, with digitally signed firmware which makes the D300 immune to the notorious BadUSB exploit.

The D300, which comes with a five-year warranty, also offers a read-only option which allows any user, once authenticated, to open and view content on the drive but not change, update or erase the content.

Theres also a managed version of the drive which, as its name implies, allows the drive to be deployed en masse across an organisation but requires Ironkey EMS by Datalocker which allows for the drives to be centrally managed. This allows for drive-specific policies and allows administrators to disable lost or stolen drives remotely and more.

The drives are available in capacities ranging from 4GB to 128GB. The rated transfer rates of the drive vary between 80MBps to 250MBps (read) and 12MBps to 85MBps (write) depending on the capacity. Rule of thumb is the lower the capacity, the slower it will be.

The 8GB model performed better than expected with CrystalDiskMark benchmark results hitting 237.6MBps and 58.69MBps on Read and Write respectively.
(Image credit: Desire Athow) PNY 512GB Elite MicroSD card

A great way to increase the internal capacity of your portable device Huge capacity Works with a wide number of devices High price

The thought of packing the equivalent of nearly 1,000 CD-ROMs on something barely bigger than the average human fingernail would have been unimaginable only a decade ago.

Now storage companies like Samsung, Sandisk or Integral are slowly pushing 512GB microSD cards in the market, fuelled by demand from mobile devices.

PNY is one of the latest to do so with the Elite, a card that has a rated reading speed of up to 90MBps and enough capacity to store over 80 hours of full HD video content, plus the bonus of having lifetime warranty.

At $350 , it is comparable in price with other products in the same category but far more expensive than the 400GB SanDisk Ultra which can be had for
about a third of the price for three quarters of the capacity.

We managed write speeds of around 21MBps and read speeds of 66MBps, which are decent numbers without being spectacular,

Owning a 512GB card, the highest commercial capacity available, will allow
you to dramatically increase available storage on your smartphone. 512GB is the maximum storage capacity available on phones likes the Samsung Galaxy Note9 and a 512GB card essentially doubles that amount; great for 4K footage of field visits or business videos.

Other devices like Microsofts Surface Pro 6 tablet will also benefit if you want to extra (removable) storage capacity although the read/write speeds are likely to confine the card to a pure secondary storage role. (Image credit: Desire Athow) Kingston Ironkey D300S

Premium security that comes at a (very) steep price. Very sturdy design Water proof Shockingly expensive Need to install application first

The D300S was announced by Kingston and is an updated version of the D300, launched in 2016, with the suffix S standing for Serialised; more on that later. The drive looks like a standard USB drive but sturdier and much, much more expensive. The smallest capacity - 4GB - retails for 100 while the largest one - a 128GB one - sells for a staggering 520.

Now there is a reason why the D300S carries such a premium according to Kingston. The drive uses custom hardware for encryption (FIPS 140-2 Level 3 256-bit) and decryption which eliminates vulnerabilities associated with any process done on the host system.

That chip and the rest of the hardware is sealed in a tamper evident epoxy material that hardened when it dried.

The drive is also waterproof up to 120cm and should handle bumps and falls easily. The D300S also uses a digitally signed firmware which makes it impervious to the BadUSB attack and it will delete the encryption key after
10 invalid attempts, thwarting any brute force attacks.

Two additional features that separates the S model from the standard model is a barcode and a unique serial number; together they allow system administrators to scan or read the code when configuring the drive.

There's also a virtual keyboard that reduces the risk of having a keylogger storing the password. Sadly though, it does suffer from the fact that you
need to install an application prior to using the drive on Windows and the write speeds claimed by Kingston are shockingly low at 40MBps. Read speeds
are better at 250MBps.

All in all, Kingston delivers a solid product but this is a very competitive market with the likes of Aegis, Secure Data or Datashur providing some interesting alternatives.

Note that a Serialised Managed (SM) model will follow shortly if Kingston's website is to be believed. (Image credit: Desire Athow) Aegis Secure Key 3NX secure drive

Enhanced encrypted data at a much lower price. Very affordable Military-grade protection Extensive warranty Small size could make it easy to misplace

If you need to have small amounts of sensitive data being carried around,
then the 3NX could well be a life saver. It brings advanced data protection features to a mainstream market thanks to its attractive low price ($59 for the 2GB/4GB model) and $189 for the 128GB one.

What you do get is some military grade, enterprise-level features like FIPS 140-2 level 3, real time hardware-based encryption, a platform-agnostic setup and a rugged extruded aluminum enclosure.

The data is encrypted using an onboard 10-digit keypad and is powered by an onboard battery.

The 3NX comes with a three-year warranty as well as an IP67 rating. Apricorn claims that the device can hit read/write speeds of up to 77MBps/72MBps,
which is more than decent for a USB 3.1 device.

As part of the package, the key can be configured to support independent
admin and user PINs. Having the keypad on the key itself makes it near impossible to hack as the encryption hardware is sealed inside the USB drive, not on the host computer.

Furthermore, the buttons are wear resistant and designed not to reveal the most used buttons. Just make sure you don't forget your PIN as you will only have as few as four attempts before the drive deletes the encryption key and with it the ability to decrypt the data stored. eyeDisk, Unhackable USB Flash Drive

Is this the most secure flash drive ever? Works flawlessly Relatively affordable Speedy Flimsy construction Gets quite warm Not compatible with Linux

We don't often get Indiegogo projects on our list but we're making an exception for the EyeDisk , which hails itself as the first unhackable USB flash drive. The concept is pretty simple; use your iris as your password rather than cumbersome passwords.

Research has shown that iris recognition is more secure than facial recognition and fingerprint encryption and as a working prototype, it works perfectly well even with the dark. It boasts a binocular registration method and a monocular/binocular verification one.

It is compatible with Windows and Mac but not Linux and you will have to run an app every time you plug it in a client. There's no password to log though, just your iris to be scanned and this takes a few seconds to be registered. You just need to look at a mirror on the side.

We'd prefer to have a sturdier model as this one is made of plastic and would probably not last long in a rugged environment. You will also need to carry a USB type-C at all time to activate the drive as it doesn't have an actual
male connector. Other than AES256-bit encryption to keep your data secure,
the EyeDisk flash drive consumes only 2W of power and weighs a mere 20g.

It managed some very decent numbers on CrystalDiskMark (130MBps transfer rate on read and 84MBps on write) which means that it won't keep you long. At the time of writing, you can only pre-order it via Indiegogo, the crowdfunding platform, and it is scheduled for delivery from March 2019.

With a starting price of $59 plus shipping for the 32GB version and $99 for the 128GB, it is reasonably priced although the prices are likely to go up once the early bird offer ends.

We'd love to see something similar come to Windows laptops equipped with a Type-C connector although one has to say, competition is likely to be far
more intense. (Image credit: VAVA) VAVA 12-in-1 dual 4K docking station

Upgrade your remote working experience with this compact laptop docking station Ports: : 4xUSB-A, 2xHDMI, SD card reader, audio jack, Ethernet Loads of ports Dual HDMI SD Card Reader Dual fast charging No USB-C data transfer port Massive power brick

Although a thin-and-light laptop can easily be carried around the office,
many employees now find themselves working from home where staring at a small screen all day can be tiresome. While you could invest in a desktop computer for your home, a docking station is a much cheaper option that will allow you to use the laptop you already have with a monitor which will give you more screen real estate and hopefully increase your productivity as well.

If youre in the market for an affordable docking station, the VAVA 12-in-1 Dual 4K Docking Station provides you with all the ports youll need to plug in a mouse, keyboard, external hard drive and more for just $99.99. The companys thin and compact docking station has a long rectangular shape and can easily be put away when not in use or tucked in a bag when you need to get some serious work done while traveling.

VAVAs docking station comes with 12 ports including two USB 2.0 ports, two
USB 3.0 ports, two HDMI ports, an Ethernet port capable of reaching speeds up to 1000Mbps, an SD card reader and an audio jack. Its worth noting that the device only really has 11 usable ports as youll need to use the DC IN port to power the device with the included power brick.

Since the device includes dual HDMI ports, youll be able to connect two monitors which will certainly make multitasking much easier than it would be on just your laptops screen. You can either use mirror mode to show your laptops display on two monitors or you can extend your laptops screen to both displays at up to 4K at 60Hz. VAVA notes that only the 2019 Macbook and above support 4K at 60Hz and other displays will go down to 4K at 30Hz when using the docking stations dual HDMI ports.

The docking station can also be used to fast charge your devices so theyll be ready to go when you are. A USB-C connector on the left side of the dock can provide 65W fast charging for your laptop while the USB-C PD output port can provide 18W of power to fast charge your smartphone. Transferring data from
an external hard drive or flash drive using VAVAs docking station is also quite fast as the devices USB 3.0 ports can reach speeds of up to 5Gbps. (Image credit: RAVPower) PD Pioneer 20000mAh 80W AC portable laptop charger

A compact portable laptop charger with a short recharge time Battery
capacity: 20Ah | Number of ports: 3 AC wall socket USB C and USB A ports Carrying case included Bulky

Keeping all of your devices topped up and ready to use has certainly gotten easier with the advent of portable power banks . However, what about when you also need to power a laptop, portable monitor or even a small TV when
outdoors and away from a power outlet? Thankfully, some manufacturers have begun to add AC outlets to their portable batteries so you can charge or
power almost any device regardless of whether it connects via USB or with a plug.

For those looking for a portable laptop charger that wont break the bank, RavPower has you covered. The companys PD Pioneer 20000 costs only $89.99 and can charge all of your devices as it features a USB-C port, a USB-A port and
a three-prong AC wall socket. RavPower also makes two different variants of the device depending on whether you need a North American or UK wall socket
to charge your laptop or other AC-powered devices.

As its name suggests, the PD Pioneer 20000 contains a 20,000mAh battery capable of delivering 74Wh of power. The devices 30W PD port can fully charge a 2015 Macbook in around two hours while its Quick Charge 3.0 port can
deliver up to 18W of power to compatible USB-A devices. The PD Pioneer 20000s AC port can even reach a max AC output of 100W.

If youre getting ready for a trip and just remembered to pack your PD Pioneer 20000, you wont have to wait too long to fully charge the device as it can be recharged in just three hours. While certainly larger than most power banks, the device can easily be slipped into a side pocket of a backpack or
messenger bag as it is 2.7 inches wide and 5.8 inches long. However, you wont want to be lugging the PD Pioneer 20000 around for too long as the device weighs 660g.

In addition to one USB-C to USB-C cable, RAVPower also includes a carrying pouch complete with pockets to keep its portable laptop charger safe on the go. Its worth noting that a USB-C adapter isnt included but if youre in the market for a portable battery with a USB-C port, youll likely still have the one that came with your smartphone or laptop. Sandberg 20,000mAh Laptop Powerbank

Capable, powerful battery charger Battery capacity: 20Ah | Number of ports: 3 Charges up very quickly Can charge laptops No support for USB-C laptops Bulkier than most chargers at this capacity

Sandberg's Powerbank is neither the cheapest or the most powerful around. However, it does come with a couple of features that make it a rather
enticing option.

It outputs to a number of voltages (12V, 16V, 19V and 20V), automatically choosing the right one depending on the device connected to it.

There are also two USB ports and these are obviously hardwired to output 5V
on both. There are also 12 different charge tips but none would fit my Dell XPS 13, and they won't be useful for USB Type-C models like the Dell XPS 13 2016 edition.

There are a couple of things that differentiate this from most of its rivals on the market: it uses a brushed, premium, aluminium finish, with bright blue LED status lights that clearly indicate the amount of juice left or how close the battery is to being charged.

Speaking of charging, Sandberg decided to equip the Powerbank with a
dedicated input port which allows the device to be charged in record time thanks to a 36W (18V/2A) power supply unit.

In comparison, the Aukey 30Ah we reviewed recently could only be charged
using a 12W USB port which makes charging a lengthy process, often an overnight affair. It also means that you don't rely on your laptop or mobile charger to get the battery replenished.

Sandberg has equipped the Powerbank with an automatic 'switch on and switch off' mechanism to save power. It can deliver up to a total of 85W meaning
that it can accommodate a massive 70W on its laptop/DC Out port. Note that
the device comes with an industry-leading five-year warranty. Startech mDP to HDMI adaptor

Great for 4K Cheap Works out of the box No 4K at 60Hz

Quite a lot of Ultrabooks (and even a fair few graphics cards) now come with Mini DisplayPort connection as standard in lieu of the traditional D-Sub or HDMI ports; which can prove to be a pain if you're planning to deliver a presentation at a client's office and they only have a HDMI projector.

In theory, Mini DisplayPort which is popular with Apple - has enough bandwidth to drive 4K monitors at 60Hz (HDMI can only do it at 30Hz) which results in a smoother end-user experience. However, today's product doesn't achieve this (it does reach 4K at 30Hz though).

What it does is merely converting the Mini DisplayPort to a HDMI port, all
for just over 23 (about $35, AU$45), more specifically from DP m1.2 to HDMI 1.4 without the need for drivers or external power source.

Unlike other passive video adaptors, this one offers active signal conversion which means that it doesn't require a multi-mode DisplayPort source signal (like AMD's Eyefinity ) which greatly expands its compatibility option. In addition, mDP supports 5.1 Surround Sound out of the box and is compatible with most Intel Thunderbolt devices. You will still need to have a HDMI cable at the other end though. Lindy KVM cable

A nifty accessory for Windows and Android users Affordable Multi platform USB 2.0 only

From a distance, it looks like a standard USB cable with a microUSB connector on one end and a bigger-than-average one on the other.

But look closer and you will see that it is a mirroring and KM (keyboard and mouse) sharing accessory. The KMC6105 allows you to view and interact with your Android device regardless of the brand and platform (i.e. tablet, Chromecast , smartphone) as well as sharing your keyboard and mouse.

Perhaps more importantly, it charges your Android device while in use, something that the previous generation model did not offer. Unlike that one, it allows you to use your smartphone as an additional screen. It also offers copy/cut and paste as well as drag and drop across the platform.

You will need to install a small executable file that is located on the
device itself. Otherwise it will only behave like a standard (expensive) cable. You will need to enable Developer Options in newer smartphones by clicking seven times on the "build number" menu.

Subsequently, you will need to allow USB debugging which is how the KMC6105 works its magic. The installation process will also download the device's driver where necessary. Note that the device carries a standard two-year warranty and is USB 2.0 only.

The Android OS Mirroring and KM sharing cable is on sale at Lindy for 24.96. Startech USB Stereo Audio Adapter

Add an SPDIF digital output to your laptop Simple to use Two year warranty
5.1 surround sound supported by Windows only

Audio has historically never been a forte for laptops and that hasn't changed for Ultrabooks especially for those at the lower end of the spectrum (one might even say that it became worse).

Which is why something like an external sound card comes in quite handy. USB devices in general usually carry a performance penalty mostly because they
use the host's processing power.

They also have a small impact on the battery life. However, given how
powerful the recent crop of Intel-based processors has been, that shouldn't
be an issue.

The ICUSBAUDIOMH External USB Card lets you add an S/PDIF digital audio
output or a standard 3.5mm analog audio connection to your system through USB and essentially adds a 5.1 sound card.

The device, which is about the size of a lighter, has two 3.5-inch jacks for headphone and microphone (some Ultrabooks like the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro only
have one port).

Startech's external card comes at the end of a rather long USB cable, uses a Via VT1630A chipset and is capable of sampling audio at up to 96kHz.

Available in black or white, it does support Sony's PlayStation 3 gaming console and comes with a two-year warranty.

This USB Stereo Audio Adapter External Sound Card is available for sale at Startech. Satechi Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter

Versatility in your pocket Ports: : 2xUSB-A, 1xHDMI, 1xUSB-C True plug and play Great design No true 4K Aluminium can get scratched

The trend for thinner, lighter and more aesthetically pleasing laptop designs gave us the Apple Macbook , a stunningly beautiful device with only one connector, a lonely USB Type-C port.

There's a plethora of accessories - adapters and docking stations - on the market to solve that problem though, especially as more and more laptops are following Apple's lead and cutting the number of connectors to a minimum.

The Satechi Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter is one of them. Available in four Apple-friendly colours, this device quadruples the amount of ports of the aforementioned MacBook.

There's a pass-through USB Type-C as well as two USB Type-A ports and an HDMI connector capable of supporting 4K video content, albeit at 30Hz - we'd certainly have preferred a DisplayPort.

Physically, the device is about 105mm long and comes with a 150mm USB Type-C cable. The enclosure is made entirely of aluminium which has a propensity to get scratched and marked when flung around too often.Compared to other products on the market, having a cable is preferable to avoid accidental damage to your laptop's port.

Note that each USB port on the Slim Type-C hub can provide 5V/1A (or 5W) and that Satechi advises that the maximum power load on the hub shouldn't exceed 10W, which excludes using it for heavy duty activities (e.g. charging two tablets).

The product comes with a one-year warranty. (Image credit: Mike Moore) StarTech USB-C Multiport Adapter

Turn your smartphone into a one-stop work hub Light and portable build HMDI connectivity Easy to plug and play Feels quite flimsy High price

Dealing with a number of connectivity options is now an increasing challenge not only for office workers, but also those whose working habits are a bit more flexible. If you're someone who is constantly connecting in different locations, for example hot-desking in multiple offices, then StarTech has you covered. This new mobile hub hooks up to your smartphone or laptop via USB-C, coming with connections ports for USB, HMDI, ethernet and USB-C, meaning you should never be caught short - and it's small and light enough to be carried in your pocket. The HMDI connection supports UHD 4K displays, with the USB-A supporting Fast-Charge technology, meaning you can power both the adaptor and your device in one go. Mophie powerstation USB-C XXL Universal Battery

A decent laptop battery charger in a very crowded market High-quality finish LED status light compact design High cost Two ports only Smallish capacity

The Mophie Powerstation USB-C XXL looks like no portable battery we've seen before. It uses a soft fabric finish and while it has some hard edges, it minimizes the risk of getting your items scratched by eliminating pointed corners altogether. At $149.95 though , it will be a tough sell with so many choices out there in the market.

Its relatively low capacity (19,500mAh) will be a concern when competitors routinely offer 30,000mAh or more. That said, Mophie claims that the battery will be able to add up to 14 hours to the battery life of a USB-C Macbook which is no small feat especially as Mophie says that this would be
additional video playback time rather than having the laptop just sitting idle.

Apple states that the MacBook has a battery life of up to 10 hours so you'd
be more than doubling that. The battery charger also supports Fast Charge and can send 30W of power to any compatible devices. At 390g for a thickness of merely 23mm, it is very portable.

Add in a two year warranty and it looks like a decent deal. Bear in mind though that it has only two ports (one USB Type-C and one USB-A) and that the competition offers more features at less than half the price (albeit without the cachet).

Jackery , for example, offers a 19,200mAh battery with a 45W output that can charge bigger laptops, ditto for the RavPower Turbo series which packs a larger 20100mAh battery. Both have three USB ports and come with a very significant discount compared to the Mophie (up to 67% off).

Note that there is an even bigger (and even more expensive) Mophie 3XL
battery that comes with an additional port and a third extra capacity. (Image credit: Desire Athow) Omnicharge Omni Ultimate battery charger

A seriously powerful multipurpose battery charger at a price Hard-wearing design Huge power capacity Bulky build No UK outlet High price

Omnicharge's Omni Ultimate battery charger is not for everyone. It is big, it is bulky and expensive. Note that the Omni Ultimate has been approved as
plane safe - so you can take it with you in the cabin when travelling. You just need a form to fill in for it pre-boarding, which you can get at the airport/gate.

For a growing community of demanding power users though, this battery pack is likely to be an absolute godsend. So much so that an Indiegogo campaign started beginning of October 2018 is likely to raise nearly $1 million from more than 4000 backers, nearly 20x its original flexible goal.

The external battery is built like a tank and is both dust and splash resistant with rubber flaps covering its power outputs. And its list of features is just as impressive: it has a power outlet that can delivery up to 150W DC or 120W AC output, a 40.3Ah/145Whr capacity, a USB Type-C connector that can deliver up 60W power, two USB ports supporting 15W (5V3A) each, a three-hour fast charging (QC3.0-compatible), pass-through charging and a useful OLED display that shows you battery capacity in real time (and to
three decimal places).

You can charge it using a solar panel and it is equipped with pass-through charging plus you can even add a spare battery pack. Note that there is a
230V EU version available (but no UK because of the plug size).

With an SRP of $599 though, it will be a tough sell especially when there are cheaper (but less powerful) options around. The MaxOak K2 for example is cheaper and has a higher battery capacity but doesn't have AC output or USB Type-C connectivity. The RavPower AC Power Bank can output to AC but has a battery capacity of only 27Ah.

The Omni Ultimate will be available via Amazon in Q1 2019 (planned for end of January/start of February) in the UK and in the USA. Other territories will follow. (Image credit: Mike Moore) Linedock

An all-in-one work hub that is a must-have for MacBook Pro users. Slim build Stylish design Great connectivity via multiple ports Quick recharging Only
for USB-C powered devices Can be scratched easily

Ensuring your device is powered up on the go is a daily worry for many of us, and there's nothing worse than running out of battery at a crucial time. Linedock thinks it has the answer with its slim and stylish power bank to
keep your Macbook charged up when you need it the most.

At just 9mm across, the device slips in neatly under your laptop and packs in a massive 20,000mAh rechargeable battery that should keep you powered up on the move.

Linedock has nine ports in all, including three USB-C ports, three USB 3.0 ports equipped with Qualcomm QuickCharge 3, an SD card and a DisplayPort hub, and multiple devices can be connected at once.

But that's not all - as Linedock can also act as a spare SSD for your device, with the option of adding 256GB or 1TB of storage as an extra bonus to make this a true mobile work hub.

Lindeock has been designed for 13in MacBook Pro devices, but the company says that it is compatible with any laptop powered by USB-C, meaning PixelBook owners are in luck. At $299, this is simply a must-have for Mac users that work on the go, offering style, power and flexibility. (Image credit: Michael Moore) Square Reader

An invaluable tool for small businesses everywhere Highly portable Easy to
set up Full mobile integration Extremely affordable Possibly too small

As more and more consumers ditch cash for contactless and digital payments, businesses of all sizes also need to adapt. Square has long been one of the most exciting payments companies around today, and has now finally brought
its Reader product to the UK for the first time.

The product acts as a mobile POS, allowing customers to quickly pay for their items using a contactless card, mobile or wearable device. Targeted predominatly at small businesses or traders, the Square Reader is slim and compact, easily fitting in the palm of your hand.

The 39 reader weighs in at just 56g, meaning it can be handheld, or tethered to a till or counter using an additional 19 dock, allowing for a truly mobile steup. Anyone signing up to Square's service can get approval to start using the system within the hour, taking much of the headache out of setting up a new payments platform, with Squares own software system offering a POS
service as well as in-depth analytics.

The tool seems like an invaluable asset to any small business looking to grow or expand, or any company looking for a more mobile setup. Perhaps our only gripe would be that the device is potentially too compact, and could be lost
- but asides from that, a Square Reader could be the key to taking your business to the big time. (Image credit: Image Credit: TechRadar) DockCase Adapter: USB-C Dock for MacBook, Air, Pro

An elegant docking and charging solution for your Apple notebook Surprisingly affordable on preorder Elegant design Cheap, tacky white plastic Cable could be longer

Another Indiegogo/Kickstarter campaign brings us a product range that will
put a smile on owners of Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops. The DockCase adapter is essentially a docking station that expands the number of
connectors that the aforementioned notebooks offer.

Unlike previous attempts, the designers have opted for a enclosure that wraps around the Apple power supply unit and essentially augments its capacities: think of it as an exoskeleton for the USB-C power adapter. The 30W MacBook adaptor gets a HDMI connector (v2.0, so capable of handling 4K) and a USB 3.0 port, the 61W MacBook Pro 13-inch model gets an additional USB port while the 87W dock for its bigger sibling adds another two.

We had access to one of the first finished units and were glad to report
that, after a few hiccups, it worked as advertised. Check if the Apple power brick is well connected with the product; the light will be lit up once DockCase Adapter is connected to the MBP. Also use the cable in the box, rather than your original cable as the Apple cable for MBP can only transmit power, not data.

Wed love if DockCases bundle cable could be a tad longer and would wish that Seesaw use a sturdier white plastic case for the dock design. One thing we can't really complain though is how affordable it is, at least during the early bird period.

The MacBook HDMI model costs a mere $40, reaching $47 for the MBP 13 and $52 for the MBP 15 (costs are without shipping) with adding a pair costing $30, $35 and $44 respectively, great if you work at home and in an office.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-business-technology-and-productivity-g adgets/


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