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Power Strips For The Uber-Geek?
mattkime asks a question that's faced each and every one of us: "You can argue over which processor is best or which operating system is most 31337, but when it comes down to it, no matter where you stand on the issues, you need a good power strip. Alas, this area of computing seems well equiped for only two ends of the spectrum - the high end power backup and the low end power strip. I have six transformer blocks under my desk in addition to 4 3-prong power cords- which power strip can handle such madness? Belkin #F5H300 seemed like a perfect fit, but I can't find any place that sells them." The ideal power-strip is a strip with wider outlets to accomodate said "transformer blocks" without losing an outlet on the strip. The car commercials said it best: "Wider is Better!". Have any power strip manufacturers learned this lesson yet?
I want a power strip that doesn't have an exposed power switch. You know what I mean -- the switch that points up towards your foot, begging to be stepped on, switching off your entire system.
Anybody know of a strip that puts the switch under a plastic cover or something?
-Waldo
You've got a UPS, right? (If not, why not?) Why not make your own power strips? It's less expensive, more flexiable and you get exactly what you want. The UPS will provide all the surge protection you need.
In January, I moved out of my apartment and into a house. It always bugged me that my UPS added a bunch of heat and noise to my home office. So, I put it in the garage, gave it its own breaker and wired the computer room the way God intended.
The UPS has better surge and slump protection than I could ever get from any surge protector. By doing my own wireing, I've got the outlets prefectly spaced and at the right height for both my desk and work bench.
The parts are very cheap and everything is easy to put together so long as you have a basic understanding of how electricity works and some screwdriver skills.
InitZero