Use a VGA port as a USB power adaptor

Josh Blodwell shows you how to charge USB devices through a VGA port.

Almost every new phone, MP3 player or sat-nav device can recharge using the 5V supply from a USB port, which is great when you’re at home in front of your desktop PC. However, it’s a different story if you’re out on the road with an ultra-portable laptop and you find yourself short of USB ports. Help is at hand in the form of its VGA output, though. The DCC spec of this port carries a 5V supply and a ground line, so you can convert it into a USB charging device. You’ll need a VGA gender changer (ours was 99p on eBay) and a USB extension lead to complete this mod, as well as some quick-set epoxy and epoxy putty.