Skip to Content

Got a tip for us?Let us know

a. Send us an email
b. Anonymous form

Charge A MacBook and iPad With TwelveSouth's PlugBug

Tuesday November 1, 2011 9:28 AM PDT by Jordan Golson

TwelveSouth's PlugBug fixes one of those problems you didn't know you had, in a very clever way. It's a $34.99 attachment that adds a USB charging port to the standard MagSafe power adapter for an Apple notebook. This way, users can charge an iPhone or iPad -- or any other USB device -- and a MacBook simultaneously, using the same wall outlet.

If one isn't using the MagSafe connector, it also works as a standalone USB charger providing up to 10 watts of power -- enough to refuel an iPad at top speed.

maxresdefault

Introducing PlugBug from Twelve South twelvesouth

Watch on YouTube

The PlugBug is $34.99 and available via the TwelveSouth online store.

Top Rated Comments

195 months ago

Maybe I'm missing something, but I've got a solution that saves you $35 plug the iPad into the USB port on the laptop you're charging.

Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)

195 months ago

I read ButtPlug at first -_-

Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)

195 months ago

I love how at :30 he says "If you want to carry less crap"...I haven't heard a company explain a product like that LOL

Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)

195 months ago

Nice design but I think they missed a trick here (being from the UK)... Why didn't they have the same interchangeable connector on the end of the PlugBug, so it worked fully internationally? Pull the UK plug off the end, attach the PlugBug and then attach the UK plug from the Apple charger onto the PlugBug... That would've been awesome.

As it is, I can only use the PlugBug if I'm travelling in the US... I love how they make this a 'feature'... :D

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

195 months ago

Great idea to piggyback on top of Apple's products. However, if you are not afraid of 120VAC outlet wiring, a USB wall plug is cool space saver.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

195 months ago

Am I the only one who thinks $35 is a kind of high price for such a product? Wouldn't $20 be more reasonable?

And that maybe they should have more than just one USB port?

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Read All Comments

Popular Stories

iPhone Duo Trio

Here's What Apple's Apps Look Like on the iPhone Duo

Tuesday October 20, 2026 11:12 am PDT by Juli Clover

With just three days to go until the iPhone Duo is released, Apple is getting ready for the launch. Behind the scenes, the App Store now has screenshots of Apple's built-in apps running on the Duo. We've seen some apps in marketing materials, but images of the ones we haven't seen give us an idea of what it will be like using the iPhone Duo day to day. Many apps are shown in landscape...

• 116 comments

Apple Creator Studio iWork suite

Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]

Thursday October 22, 2026 11:01 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple has temporarily removed Keynote, Pages, and Numbers from the App Store, just after releasing an update that added iPhone Duo support and a new Intelligent Assistant. It is not clear if the apps were removed intentionally, or if it is a bug. Apple has not said when the apps will be reinstated, but if it was in error, they should return soon. Update: The Mac versions are back without...

• 66 comments

RIP, MacBook Ultra

Monday October 19, 2026 9:37 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today sent out invites for an experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, and the "Pro and tell" tagline on the invitation likely means that the rumored MacBook models with touch-enabled OLED displays will stick with MacBook Pro branding instead of the once-rumored "MacBook Ultra" name. The long-rumored "iPhone Ultra" ended up being named iPhone Duo, so speculation that Apple...

• 167 comments

Latest Stories

MacBook Neo Helps Apple Outpace Rivals as Market Declines

Happy 25th Anniversary, iPod

iPhone Duo Demand Reportedly Exceeds Apple's Expectations

iPhone Duo Launch Begins as First Orders Reach Customers

1Password for Agents Keeps Your Passwords Hidden From AI

iPhone Duo 24 Hours Later: Your Questions Answered

Apple's iWork Apps Get 'Intelligent Assistant' and iPhone Duo Support

Apple is Apparently Considering a Slightly Larger iPhone Duo

Giant iPhone Duo Displays Coming to Four Apple Stores

Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]

Apple Updates More Apps With iPhone Duo Support

Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store

Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99

F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos

Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo

Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites

Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue

iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID

Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support

Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%

Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling

Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia

Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions

Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout

Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says

iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID

Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found

Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website

Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent

What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge