iGo intros everywhereMAX, wallMAX multi-device chargers

It looks like those in need of a replacement power adapter for their laptop, or those simply looking to streamline their device charging now have a couple of new options to consider from iGo, which has just introduced its everywhereMAX and wallMAX multi-device chargers. Each of those come equipped with iGo's dualpower accessory which, much like Lenovo's similar offering, will let you charge a cellphone, MP3 player, digital camera or other device while your laptop charges, and the everywhereMAX takes things one step further with additional adapters that'll let you plug into an auto outlet or airline seat. From the looks of it, you'll get eight different power tips for some of the most ever-present laptops with each charger, with additional tips available on the company's website. Those will run you ten bucks apiece, while the everywhereMAX and wallMAX adapters themselves will set you back $140 and $100, respectively.

[BigD145 @ Nov 12th 2008 12:40PM]

If the little things are USB, all you need is a plugin hub for under $20. Your laptop already has a power adapter, so that's "free."

[Don Corleone @ Nov 12th 2008 1:10PM]

I'm holding out for Mr. Fusion.

[Jake Carpenter @ Nov 12th 2008 1:28PM]

I'm pretty sure iGo already had extremely similar offerings available under the iGOeverywhere and iGOair, iGOcar, etc. It sounds like they just renamed their products again (I believe this is the second time they've renamed).

[Fanfoot @ Nov 12th 2008 1:30PM]

Agree with BigD. My Thinkpad's AC adapter is almost an inch thinner than this thing (1.75"x5"x1" vs 4.8 x 2.7 x 0.9") which is a huge amount really, and I can charge everything else I've got with USB cables from the laptop. Want to charge them without turning the laptop on? Get a little USB power dohickey, apple has some very small ones, but there's a million out there...

[Spurrier @ Nov 12th 2008 1:52PM]

I actually own the iGO everwhere85 which does this same thing, and while it is larger then my thinkpads adapter I use it as a secondary adapter which can also charge my wife's hp or my daughters compaq and charge any of these from the car or on a plane. So while a bit larger then any 1 of the other adapters it sure is smaller then 3 and sometimes you don't want to power up a laptop just to charge a phone or a ipod so all I needed were the tips for these as well. If you don't see a need don't buy it but for someone who spends a bit of time on the road its a nice setup.

[Squid7085 @ Nov 12th 2008 2:13PM]

My current iGo is iUseless after I bought a new MacBook Pro. No MagSafe adapter for the iGo. And I realize that is 100% Apples fault, and iGo is trying to do everything they can to fix it. I can see protecting the patent, but damn. The least Apple could do is make a charger that works in the car, thats why I purchased an iGo in the first place. It is an amazing product, and its a shame I can not use it.

[ElevatorHappyFun @ Nov 12th 2008 2:45PM]

It is not apple's fault; iGo has decided not to make one yet. Overall apple is still a small (but vocal) demographic.

I work for a company that sells iGo chargers and when i called iGo's support line they informed me that they have no immediate plans to make an apple magsafe charger.

[Squid7085 @ Nov 12th 2008 2:59PM]

Shows how little you know. Apple holds the patent for the MagSafe adapter. Nobody, including iGo, is allowed to make and sell anything compatible with it. I am not sure where you got your information from, but I have called numerous times and iGo keeps saying the same thing, they want to, but they can not. If anything they have just given up, it has been over 2 years and Apple shows no sign of licensing the tech.

Also, you are telling me that they have no problem making tips for stupid insignificant devices, but they would not make a tip for one of the best selling laptops? I have a hard time understanding your argument of a "small" demographic. There are millions more laptops out there with Magsafe on it, compared to a couple million Zunes (Of which they have a tip for.) It has never been in my experience iGo's policy for any device to have "to small a user base" the MagSafe tip is one of the most asked for iGo tips, again this is what iGo support has told me. I'm sorry, but this "too small of a demographic" thing is starting to piss me off. Even though there are more PC's, they all use different tips, every Mac uses the same one. Thats a huge market.

Also, if to make your argument any more un-plausible, they made a tip for the previous lineup of Macs "PowerBook and iBook" which arguably was not as popular as the current lineup.

[Unique Gift Ideas @ Nov 12th 2008 2:39PM]

I worked at Radio Shack until about a year ago, and we had those iGo's for quite some, this is old news. I personally have an iGo charger, and it was well worth the extra $10. Not only does it charge your battery much faster than a regular charger, but it was great when I had to switch cellphones and all I had to do was buy a new tip for it ($5). Oh, and if you get a cable splitter you can charge a couple of devices on just one charger.

[Teh Lup @ Nov 12th 2008 3:45PM]

Igo is teh bomb.
Charge my zune, phone, BT headset, Fiancee's phone in the car all with a cupholder full of adaptors.

[Peter F @ Nov 12th 2008 3:47PM]

n00b has too many IE toolbars...

[XIYL @ Nov 13th 2008 1:42AM]

n00b has IE

[David @ Nov 12th 2008 4:01PM]

Never have seen iGo here in Europe ... maybe I'll be hunting for it this weekend ...

[Turtle @ Nov 13th 2008 2:23PM]

Yeah, Apple screwed up with the MagSafe. It's possibly the dumbest move in years to release a new connector, refuse to sell a car plug for it, and refuse to license it to anyone else so they can build one. Restraint of trade complaint to the Obama Administration, maybe?

Little-known fact, though: you CAN use their "aircraft" adapter in a car, provided the engine's running. That nudges the voltage and current up enough that the adapter will work. With the engine off, the voltage and current are lower and it won't work.