Review on 💡 Tripp Lite TMC-6: 6 Outlet Under-Monitor Surge Protector Power Strip with Tel/Modem Protection, 6ft Cord, RJ11, and $50,000 Insurance - Black by Peter Green

If you've owned a computer long enough, you probably remember the power centers that used to sit between your PC and your monitor. Like less sophisticated power strips, they allowed you to plug all your devices in one place and offered some level of surge protection. Unlike a power strip, these devices allow individual components to be turned on and off, as well as a "master switch" to turn everything on and off. There are separate plugs labeled: Computer, Monitor, Printer, AUX1, AUX2 and a handy outlet labeled Unswitched (which is always on). Another nice feature of the switches in these blocks is that they are mechanical, so stay where you set them. So let's say you usually want your computer and monitor to be turned on, but you don't use your printer regularly. You can select the Computer and Monitor radio buttons, then use the wizard to turn them on and off together, and turn on the printer individually if needed. What I find most useful about this form factor is that the switches are on the front, convenient and easily accessible, and the cables are on the back, out of the way and out of sight. This creates a clean and efficient workspace. What prompted me to look for one was my computer accessories: powered speakers, DACs and mixing interfaces. All of the switches for these devices were on the back and hard to reach and I don't want to leave them on as they draw a lot of power and generate heat. This Tripp-Lite Power Station works great and allows me to conveniently turn any device on and off when I need it. It's also black, sleek, and fits nicely on my workstation's desktop, although installing it took some creativity. As mentioned, it offers surge protection and there's a light to let you know it's working, another light to let you know the wiring in your house is correct. I need to add some black tape to the label maker to make it look a little better. 🤓I don't know why they have become unpopular and everyone has switched to cheap splitters (yes because they are cheap, these are more expensive), but I find these power supplies much more functional (I still have one in my equipment rack). This Tripp Lite device is well made, looks good and does exactly what I need it to do. 👍