Support Our Site
Get Better Gear!
- Notability For iPad: Much More Than A Note Taking App from Ginger Labs, Inc, US$0.99
- Scosche’s RH656m Headphones With Microphone Are Wonderful from Scosche, US$129.99
- IPEVO’s Typi Folio Case & Keyboard for iPad is First-rate from IPEVO, US$79.99
- Scosche’s boomSTREAM BT Speaker: Features & Compromises from Scosche, US$99.95
- FX Photo Studio HD: iPad Painting of Effects Made Easy from MacPhun LLC, US1.99
Premier Sponsors
Top 5 Free Apps
iTunes New Music Releases
Top 5 Paid Apps
Discover New Music
- Bauhaus
Go Away White is an album I've been waiting more than 20 years to hear, and the good news is that it was worth the wait. The latest -- and last, no...for real this time -- album from
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Once More, with Feeling
- Various Artists
Most musical episodes of TV shows frankly stink. They are usually little more than ill-conceived vehicles intended to let the stars show off what musical talent they have. Once More, With Feeling,
- The Redwalls
- Wow! Perhaps my 5-star rating is simply because the Redwalls are not only new and fresh (none of them older than 22!), or perhaps its because -- despite their ages -- they are able to totally capture
- Alanis Morissette
- Ten years after the original release, comes the traditional celebratory acoustic re-recording. The album has held up remarkably well. While it is not as meaningful to me as it was when I was sixteen,
- Ladytron
Reader Specials
Visit Deals On The Web for the best deals on all consumer electronics, iPods, and more!
In-Depth Review
PowerBlock
Friday, December 9th, 2005 at 9:00 AM - by Misha Sakellaropoulo
Apple used to include an AC charger with most of its iPods, but like the case and dock the charger has been relegated to an after-market purchase. Accordingly, more third-parties have started offering AC charger options. The accessory gurus at Griffin Technology are the latest to bring one to the table, freeing you from the clutches of Apple's overpriced $30 charger with... their own $30 charger.
 Griffin Technology PowerBlock |
Spec-wise, Griffin's PowerBlock will go toe-to-toe with Apple's, sporting a two-prong design that folds away neatly when not in use and offering international compatibility. Whereas Apple's square charger sticks out a couple inches from the wall, Griffin employs a more conventional design that hugs that power outlet. The PowerBlock is compatible with the iPod shuffle and all dock-connector iPods and, to its credit, Griffin includes a certified, high quality "Made for iPod" USB docking cable�an additional expense if you're looking at Apple's solution.
Bottom Line
The PowerDock will put the juice into your iPod as well as any other charger, and it does so with a practical design. The included docking cable is a nice extra, but the $30 list price is still expensive by our standards. Like most Griffin products, however, the PowerBlock will likely be available for less coin from retailers like Amazon.
Just The Facts
Pros:every bit as good as Apple's charger, docking cable included
Cons:every bit as expensive as Apple's charger
Recent Headlines
- Reading, Writing, & Saving the World
- Free Retro Gaming for iOS - Activision’s Kaboom!
- Apple Adds Chomp Bits to iOS 6 App Store Discovery
- Notability For iPad: Much More Than A Note Taking App
- Scosche’s RH656m Headphones With Microphone Are Wonderful
- Tim Cook & Larry Page Reportedly Discuss Patents
- Analysis: Amazon Kindle Fire Sold Out, Kindle Fire 2 Pic Leaked
Post Your Comments