When we talk about a desktop for PC , the use of power strips is essential since we will have to connect various devices such as the PC, monitors, speakers and even the router if necessary, so with wall plug sockets almost it is never enough. In this regard, the usual thing is to have the strip on the floor almost in any way, but if you want it to be on the table so that it is more at hand, in this article we are going to tell you which are the most useful and even curious options. that you can find in the market.
We all need plugs for the PC, but the advancement of technology has made those “plug-only” power strips already fall short in many cases, since the need to be able to charge devices with a USB connection is more than real today. today. Therefore, and especially if you intend to put the power strip on the table and not on the floor, power strips have also evolved along with this need.
Why place the power strips on the table?
The normal thing for almost all users is to have a “Chinese” strip on the ground where we connect all the devices associated with the PC that we have on the desktop, be it the PC itself, monitor or monitors, speakers, the router, ONT and even the mobile charger . However, having it on the ground can cause many inconveniences such as inadvertently kicking it and causing something to disconnect (or be damaged) or simply the ease with which the power strip will fill with crap.
Having the power strip on the table has the obvious disadvantage that it will take up some space on the table, but in return it will allow you to have the cables more organized, cleaner and above all more at hand, allowing you to plug and unplug your devices more easily, including those USB we talked about before. In addition to this, if for example you place the strip just behind the PC case or behind the monitor, you will avoid the possibility of causing entanglements and accidents by accidentally hitting it with your feet.
What to look for in your power strips
The first thing you should look for, from our point of view, is that it meets your connection needs. For example, there are power strips that have only 2-3 Schuko connectors and that for most users will be insufficient, or another example would be a 12-socket power strip that would be too much for the vast majority of users. The ideal is to buy one that has an extra connection, such as if you need to connect 4 devices, buy one with 5 or 6 sockets in case at any time you need to connect something additional.
The second thing that you should look for is that they are safety strips to be able to be, or at least that they incorporate grounding to avoid short circuits. If they are protection strips with fuses, better than better, since they will give you extra security to protect your precious equipment from power surges and other problems associated with electrical current.
As we have mentioned before, they are also things to take into account that the power strips incorporate, in addition to plug connectors, USB connectors to easily charge the battery of wireless devices (remember that we are looking for power strips to have on the table and not underneath, so having a certain number of USB charging ports always at hand is a plus to take into account). In addition to this, if they have individual plug-in switches, it is another plus that can come in handy for many users.
The most useful and curious power strips
As we have already mentioned, below we are going to show you the power strips that we find most useful and curious, always keeping in mind that the objective is to install them on the table. Some of the strips that we are going to show you next imply having to make holes and perforations in the table to be able to integrate them into it; If this is the case, we will clearly indicate it to you, but it is something that you must take into account because although these strips are really the ideal to have on the table due to their versatility, they involve a previous installation work that not everyone is willing to perform.
Integrated in the table and with HDMI
This is one of those power strips that requires installation, since it is designed to be integrated into the table (or into a false floor). It incorporates two schuko-type plugs, two USB and even an RJ-45 and an HDMI to facilitate PC connections and hide these cables easily. It has the peculiarity that the strip opens and closes to hide the connection sockets when you do not need them, since as you will suppose having only 2 normal plugs, it is not that it is too suitable to connect all your equipment on the table.
The power strip that hides when you don’t need it
This other strip is also designed to be integrated into the table and requires installation, although instead of a rectangle you will have to make a small circle. It has the peculiarity that it can also be hidden when you don’t need it, and in this case it incorporates three European plugs and two USB charging sockets.
Brief, minimalist and elegant
This cube-shaped power strip is one of the smallest and most elegant you can find, but it still provides you with 3 schuko plug sockets, three USB charging and has an on / off button for all connections. It comes with an adhesive that will allow you to fix it on top of the table, but also just below the tabletop or even on the sides if the table is thick enough.
In the form of a tower for all your connections
This power strip is one of the most convenient out there, since it vertically incorporates a total of six Schuko plugs, four USB ports and actually has two switches, one for activating and deactivating the plugs and the other for USB separately. As a purchase incentive, this strip has safety mechanisms against surges and short circuits certified by ROHS, CE and FCC.
Standard but rotatable power strips
Legrand is one of the two big brands (along with Schneider) of electrical appliances, and this strip incorporates safety mechanisms in all sockets. It has six schuko sockets (three of them more separated from each other for plugs with charger) and two USB charging ports, along with a general switch to turn the power strip on and off.
It has the peculiarity that it is designed to be screwed to a wooden table and its entire body is rotatable, so the ideal is to screw it to the edge of the table from the back or even below to hide it.
With smartphone holder
This strip incorporates five plugs (although in the image it does not look very good, it has three front and one on each side) and two 5V USB ports, but the most interesting feature is that it has a support for smartphones, so that you can use it and watch it while charging it with its USB ports in an easy way.
With wireless charging for your smartphone
This other strip requires installation as well, as it is designed to blend into the table and hide down when not in use. It has four plugs, an RJ-45 Cat. 6 data connector, two USB ports and even an HDMI, but the most curious of all is that the top part is charged by NFC and is compatible with almost all the devices that support this type of load. In addition, when you do not use its connections you can hide it but continue using the NFC to charge the smartphone simply by placing it on top.