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AT FIRST GLANCE the Powertraveller Minigorilla is a straightforward device. It’s essentially a battery you charge up and then, in turn, use to charge your gadgets when away from a power source. A backup battery? Were it that simple… The Minigorilla was designed specifically for charging mobile phones, mp3 players and other small gadgets up to the size of a netbook (small laptop) or iPad. It doesn’t work for most of the larger laptops, with their more demanding power needs.
In the box with the Minigorilla is a range of interchangeable sockets to make it compatible with most phones and netbooks on the market, including older cellphones. It also has a USB port – its handiest feature – that allows you to plug in anything that can be charged that way, including Apple’s iPod devices.
However, a special connector is required for the iPad; you can’t simply plug it directly into the USB port. If you use an Apple laptop there are also additional parts required, which will cost you extra. But once you have the right connectors, the Minigorilla works as advertised: with one very important “but”. You have to set it to the right output voltage for your device. If set too high, it could “fry” your gadgets; if set too low it will under-power them. Thankfully, its USB port is a standard and you don’t need to make any adjustments if you’re charging from it.
The Minigorilla includes a carrying pouch, but it’s only big enough for the battery unit itself and the charger and interchangeable connectors are in a separate pouch. Its external power adapter comes with plugs for Europe, Britain and the US. The device will roughly double the battery life of whatever you connect to it. That was the case with my iPad when I tested it; other users have told me a netbook with roughly two hours of battery life will gain an extra two by using the Minigorilla. Since the iPad lasts for 10 hours on its own charge I didn’t have much need to use the additional power.
For the price, I can’t imagine many people buying the Minigorilla unless they really need it. Though you could buy a second battery for your netbook at a fraction of the price, the Minigorilla is handy because it can be used with a range of devices.
Review
VERDICT: Competent backup battery solution for those who need it.
COMPLEXITY: Simple to use – but beware voltage settings.
Price: R1 500.
ALSO CONSIDER: A second battery for your netbook.
VALUE RATING: 7/10