Turn a Laptop Adapter into a Powerstrip for $15

Anytime we're at a big press event, there's always one thing in short supply: plug sockets. They're the first things to go and once you've managed to get one, you can't leave it unattended without it being pilfered by someone else. Often you'll find someone from another website who's kind enough to share their powerstrip (there's a certain camaraderie among the folks who us those chunky UK plugs), but outside of press events, you'll be hard pressed to find someone who's carrying around a cumbersome powerstrip, eager to share sockets with you.

Engadget writes of a fairly nifty little gadget that plugs into your laptop adapter and turns it into a powerstrip. Made by Elecom, it costs ¥1,400 (about $15) for a two-prong version or ¥2,000 ($21) for three prongs. Now all you have to do is find someone you're willing to talk to at Starbucks. Sure you could just buy a regular adapter that plugs into the wall socket but would your new friend be impressed by that? Probably not.