I’ve been testing a surging-protecting power strip called the Smart Strip by BITS. The Smart Strip works like this: it has a “Control Outlet” which controls six other outlets on the power strip. If you plug a computer into the Control Outlet, and it turns off or goes into sleep mode, the other “switched” outlets on the strip will be turned off. There are also three other outlets that are “always on”. Most people use this power strip to turn off all their computer peripherals, or to shut down their home theater system, when they turn off their television.
If you use a notebook computer with an external monitor (as I do) you’ll have to set things up a bit differently, because laptops don’t cause a large enough power dip for the power strip to detect. To solve this problem, you can use your monitor as the Control Outlet (see more details here).
Smart Strips are available from Amazon.
Read more! Related stories:
- Sony Introduces Smart Green LCD TVs
- ASUS Introduces Bamboo-Cased Computers
- PowerHub: Backup Power From Solar, Wind
- Powerstrips That Detect Your Presence In a Room
- Panasonic Toughbook W2
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I really like that switch. It is intelligent one, and I also need to use my mind a bit to figure it out how to connect a laptop. I especially like colors on the board. It is cheap, as well.
It has three LEDs that stay on?
Awesome review, and GMTA (Great Minds Think Alike
. I just posted a similar review of the same model on my blog (linked on my name above). I have some energy saving numbers (via the Kill-A-Watt meter), which were rather surprising (good) for me. This product is a keeper. Actually, it’s a no-brainer, since it actually pays for itself in a short time in three cases at least in my house. I arrived at the same solution for the laptop, and this company would do well to be a little more specific in their help, as there are several Amazon reviews claiming it “doesn’t work” for laptops. It does, but with a little twist. Tom
Great review. I bought one of these at the SF Green Festival, and use it. But I feel as though I could get better usage out of it – I should move it so I’m controlling other appliances, etc. Thanks!
Love the concept – but it’s ugly.