Power Accessories

For now, no laptop can last all day. Even eight hours won't handle everything you may need, but most Tablet PCs offer only between two and four hours of battery life. This leaves a large need for lots of juice.

If you travel a lot, you will need alternate power. You'll probably want to have extra batteries (I carry two extra) on hand. More than one AC adapter is common (I leave one at the office, one at home, and one in my bag) and probably desired. A car adapter or AC/DC inverter can help if you're car-bound. And an airline adapter can help if you're often on an airplane.

Batteries

You have few options for batteries for your Tablet PC. Usually the manufacturer of your Tablet PC is the only one making batteries for it, although there may be others available.

AC Adapters

It's ideal to keep one adapter in the office, one at home, and one in your travel bag, though two will suffice if you don't travel often. There are few options other than the manufacturer's adapter, but the iGo Juice 70 is an interesting product, as described in the sidebar.

iGo Juice 70 AC and Auto/Air Power Adapter

The Juice 70 is a 70-watt power adapter that plugs into AC outlets, car power outlets, and even airline armrests. This makes the Juice 70 the only power adapter you need.

The Juice 70 can make your traveling load lighter by combining AC, DC, and air power options into one unit.

Special Features:	Lightweight, triple-use adapter with tips for various notebooks and devices
Where to Buy:	iGo.com, CDW

Car Adapters and Inverters

Car adapters may be available for your Tablet PC from the manufacturer. If not, there are inverters that can do the trick, but they take up more space. An inverter changes the power coming from your car into power that can be handled by your Tablet PC or other AC-hungry devices (phones, cameras, personal audio players, and so on).

What to Look For

Look for an inverter that handles the power load and number of outlets you need. Some inverters have one outlet, others have two. I bought a one-outlet inverter and often want the second outlet (especially when in the car with the family). The maximum power load is important as well, because you'll want to provide enough power for your Tablet PC.

APC Mobile Power 140W Inverter

APC is one of the best-known companies for PC-related power devices. The Mobile Power inverter provides power from your car to give juice to all your portable devices. If you need more power, look into APC's 340 W version, which has two outlets.

The APC inverter can keep your Tablet PC running when you're away from a power outlet.

Special Features:	Lightweight, low voltage disconnect
Where to Buy:	Electronics stores

Airline Adapters

Airline adapters connect your Tablet PC to the power outlet that may be available in a commercial airplane. These can be purchased from your travel and luggage store, or from a computer store such as CompUSA. There are a couple different airline power types, so be sure to get a package with both.

International Adapters

Your local travel store will have a slew of international adapters. You will need them when traveling to many other countries. These can be purchased from your travel and luggage store, or from a computer store such as CompUSA. As long as the adapter converts your plug to the destination locale's plug style, you'll be okay. Just make sure your travel destination uses the same input voltage as your home. For example, most countries use 110 120 volt AC power, which is compatible with most types of U.S. electronic equipment.