The previously mentioned AViiQ Portable Charging Station was designed for this same function, but it costs $40 at minimum, and $80 for the version you really need. I bought the cheaper option a few weeks back and found that it really only charged three gadgets (when I needed four), didn't keep everything in place very well, and barely organized my cables. I knew making my own would cost $35, but I assumed paying the extra $5 would get me a better gadget. It didn't. As a result, I set out to make one with a few things I already had and ended up with a pretty awesome solution that gave me more ports, faster charging, and better organization for less money.
What You'll Need
If you want to make one of these, here's what you'll need:
*Amazon sells out of these a lot, so you can get them for a little more money directly from Neatnix. Also, I considered using a GRID-IT for this project, as they're great organizational tools, but they cost a bit more and don't offer much in the way of height. If you've already got a GRID-IT and want to try this project using one, go for it. After trying both, however, I feel the Neatnik Ready 2Go offers more from both a convenience and price standpoint..
Putting it all together is pretty straightforward. The Neatnix Ready 2Go is designed for handling cables already, so you just have to put all the messy stuff (USB hub and everything plugged into it) on one side and have the cables reach around to the other. The elastic bands will keep everything in place and you'll be all set. Of course, we'll walk you through this process with lots of pictures.
Step One: Insert the USB Hub and Power Adapter
Just a little above the middle of one side of the Ready 2Go's elastic band board, insert the USB hub. Above it, on the side with less space, add the power plug. It should look something like this:
You need to leave enough room for the power adapter to plug into the back of the hub. You'll need slightly more room if you're using an AppleCore for better cable management:
When you're done, you can start attaching cables.
Step Two: Attach Desired Cables
Attaching cables doesn't take a lot of know-how, but keeping them neat and managed in a tiny space gets a little tough?especially when they're all so close together:
Short cables are ideal, but you can shorten longer ones with a simple cable shortening technique:
Just be sure not to shorten them too much as you'll need a little extra cable to reach around to the other side of the Ready 2Go's elastic band board.
Step Three: Organize Cables on the Other Side
Once you've connected all your cables to the hub, pull the remaining ends of the cable around the bottom edge of the Ready 2Go's elastic band board. Then, secure the cables with a few elastic bands on the other side. In the end, it should look something like this:
The goal is to make the cables end at different points on the board so they don't rest directly next to each other. Seven devices make up a pretty big crowd, but varying the lengths can help to avoid too much clutter.
Step Four: Add Any Extra Cables in the Case Pockets
Inside the Ready 2Go you'll find a secret advantage: little pockets designed to fit extra cables:
In most cases you should have no issue attaching all the cables you need to the hub, so you won't need to swap anything out, but you should store at least one cable: a USB cable that connects the D-Link hub to your computer. While this little setup we're making focuses on charging, you probably need to sync from time to time and have little interest in removing the cables you worked so hard to arrange just to do that. Instead, just connect the hub to your computer over USB. The hub actually still works even if the power adapter isn't plugged in, so long as you don't connect tons of devices that will draw too much power from your machine. Basically, with one cable?one that comes with the hub anyway?you can use this whole setup for syncing as well.
Step Five: Travel!
You're all done, and now you can go anywhere! Because the Ready 2Go works like a packing cube, it'll fit nicely into most bags and suitcases. On top of that, it comes with a convenient carrying handle so you can take it all by itself without a problem:
Even though this multi-gadget charger works primarily for on-the-go use, you can use it at home as well. I keep an extension cord that runs to a bedside table back home so I can plug it in without the need to even unwind the power adapter. It works so well at home and requires no effort to pack when I need to leave. I just zip it up, toss it in a suitcase, and call it a day.
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