Cables, wires and adapters I never throw away – and why these accessories are worth saving

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There’s a long-standing joke that some of us who live and work with gadgets have accumulated too much tech clutter. We have boxes of old cables and adapters that should have been thrown away months ago, but we hold on to these things like life preservers because “they’ll be useful…one day.” Sure, it’s been a long time since anyone needed a VGA-to-HDMI adapter, but – and hear me out on this one – what if my Aunt Jackie’s next-door-neighbor cat caretaker needed to borrow one?

In truth, though, I am going through a phase of minimization in my life, and while I am still far from gaining feng shui knowledge, I am getting rid of a lot of things. And the one in question is a collection of cables, adapters and dongles.

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But when I’m hastily loading stuff into boxes to send so the seagulls at my local recycling center can deal with them, I know there’s a selection of cords and adapters I need to keep. Not for the cat sitter’s one-in-a-million request, but because they remain useful despite being functionally obsolete.

Of course, just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s worthless. At least, not yet. As I fill boxes and drawers with stuff, I grab a few things. This is a small part of the total bulk, but it’s stuff that is still important, or at least may still be needed.

let’s take a look.

USB-A-to-USB-C Cable

Experts tell us USB-C connectivity will make everything better; One cable and charger for everything. But you’d be surprised how many gadgets with USB-C ports won’t charge from a USB-C charger with a USB-C-to-USB-C cable attached. This problem often occurs because the gadget lacks the circuitry to activate the charger.

Plus: These MagSafe wireless chargers are so much better than cords — and they’re on sale

The biggest clue to the problem is that the item comes with a USB-A-to-USB-C cable. Another indicator that something is wrong is if nothing happens when you connect the device to your smartphone’s charging cable.

This issue explains why it’s still a good idea to have someone you trust USB-A-to-USB-C Cable nearby. Oh, and a charger that can accept it.

microusb cable

Again, this is a port that won’t run out. Many cheap devices still use this port (for example, cheap power banks from Temu and eBay regularly use it).

While connections are annoying, old, and prone to breaking, having one USB-A-to-MicroUSB Charge Cable Still a good idea.

electrical wires

As our dependence on USB-enabled electricity increases, the power cord is slowly but surely disappearing. But don’t throw away all your old wires. I suggest having one C7 (two-pin, often called a “figure of eight”) and a three-pin sense C13.

Ethernet cable

Wireless may be important today, but cable connections still have their place. Just a few days ago, I needed an Ethernet cable to connect to a security camera during setup, and then I used the same cable to connect the camera’s base station to the router.

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moral of the story? Keep a few Ethernet cables of different lengths (one, three and six feet). If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, hold on a reel of cable, Some connectors, and an RJ45 crimping tool To make your own. It’s a strangely satisfying process.

those dc wall warts

While USB chargers have largely replaced DC chargers, there’s still room for cordless handsets, routers, and other older devices.

If you don’t want a drawer full of mismatched chargers, pick up a universal tool.

usb dock

My Mac has an SD card reader, but no microSD slot, Ethernet port, or USB-A port. That’s why I always Keep a USB dock around; It’s the Swiss Army knife of ports. Over the years, I’ve amassed a small collection of docks, and although I’m not keeping them all, I will keep a few “just in case.”

Other useful bits and bobs

There are also a few things you can add to your tech gear utility belt. These items have utility beyond their size and cost, including:

• USB-C Boost Module: in boost module Are great. USB-C power goes in one end, and up to 20V DC comes out the other. You just have to flip a few switches to get the required voltage. (You also need a USB-C charger that can handle the output power.)

• multi-charging cable: These brand themselves as “one cable to rule all”, and although they are very useful, they have some limitations (for example, the ends can be a bit large, and I have trimmed them). But if you pick a good cable, such as Rolling Square InCharge XL 6-in-1 Or in charge xsIt can replace a handful of cables.

• usb adapter:for small dongle Converting USB-C to USB-A, and vice versaAre very useful and can get you out of a jam. These adapters are things you don’t think about until you get into a jam, and then you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
• usb power meter: This meter is for when you want to know for sure whether electricity is flowing or not. A simple usb power meter The cost of just a few bucks has saved me countless hours of grief over the years.

Of course, I still suffer from that vague, nagging fear that as soon as I get rid of the cable or adapter, some bizarre, one-in-a-million situation will arise in which I’ll need it. But you know what? If Aunt Jackie’s neighbor’s cat sitter comes by, they’re alone.