Reviews for Twelve South PlugBug

Just bought it today, very pleased...FAST charging of my iPhone 5, makes up for the fact that it drains so quickly...not noticing any overheating issues. Yep, it adds bulk to your packaging, but I have a monster sized laptop bag, so it's no issue for me. Cable is shorter when using it, but I can get around that with extension cords. Two thumbs up from me, and wonderful introduction to TwelveSouth and it's products!!

Yes, you can easily just carry two chargers in your bag, but oftentimes you might reach your destination to find that there is only a single outlet available. This device solves that issue. You can charge a laptop AND an iOS device at the same time with a single plug-in device. It is solidly durable, and fits the Mac laptop charger snugly.

My only criticism is that for the price of roughly $30+, the package should include a dock to USB (or Lightning to USB) cable as well as the charging unit.

good:
power adapter,charges very quickly
bad:
1.)increases size of charger
2.)macbook air is meant to reduce the weight of your bag considerably,it balances the weight and become a ridiculous product in mobility
3.)person still has to use the usb cable to charge iOS device...if you have your mac on or on sleep in front of you,just use the cable directly to the mac why make your charger such bulky,ugly and HEAVY

I agree with Raymond G - my PlugBug also gets very hot. I use it to charge my MacBook Pro and the latest iPad. I wonder if this overheating can cause a fire.

Within its confines, this is a very useful gadget. Simply snap it on to your MacBook Pro/Air AC adapter, and you have something that can provide power to your computer as well as a single iOS device. Therein lies the rub. The USB port is only capable of recognizing/charging an iPhone or iPad. Neither my wife's work phone (made by the dark-colored fruit company) nor my wireless game console controller would charge via the USB port. Granted, the company doesn't advertise this product as having such capability, but for what it costs, it would be nice.

I am running my iP2 off of one of these right now, and have been for several hours, with no problems at all. No buzzing or any other issues to report. I have the power adapter connected to an 85w power supply for a 15" MBP (the older "T" type).

The adapter does not seem quite as sturdy as the Apple adapters but the connection is solid. I would agree with an earlier post however, if carried separately, this power adapter saves little (if any) space over a 10w power supply. I believe the point is however, should you find yourself a bit short of receptacles in your hotel room this would be an option without connecting your iDevice to the computer's USB port.

The Good: The PlugBug provides 10 Watts through its USB port, whereas normal/high-powered USB ports provide 2.5 Watts/5.5 Watts. This allows quick iPad/iPhone recharging, even when your iDevice and laptop are both in use. The PlugBug connects nicely to your laptop power adapter, and together they are very easy to pack in your bag. You can even connect the PlugBug to Apple's AA battery charger or to another Apple 10 Watt iPad charger! The dimensions of the PlugBug are aligned with the dimensions of the Macbook Air's 45 Watt charger, and together they are about 40% larger than the Air's charger by itself. Finally, the combined PlugBug and charger takes up only one wall socket, which can be convenient at hotels and crowded cafes.

The Bad: The PlugBug prevents the use of the 3-pronged extension cord that connects to your power adapter. Thus, you may have to sit six feet closer to a wall socket than you did before. The combined PlugBug and laptop charger doesn't save much overall space compared to a separate 10 Watt charger and laptop charger.

The Ugly: The PlugBug emits a high-pitched whining/buzzing sound that is faint but persistent. If you are working in an environment with ambient noise like a cafe, then you will not notice it at all. However, if you are using it in a perfectly quiet environment, then it can be as annoying as a mosquito buzzing in your ear. Hopefully Twelve South addresses this issue with subsequent iterations of the product. (My PlugBug was purchased at an Apple store near the end of 2011.)