When I first learned of Toshiba’s USB Sleep & Charge technology, I perked up.
I get pitched on new computers all the time — but these days, I only care if I spot something different.Toshiba’s newish USB technology charges gadgets all the time — even when the computer is in sleep mode or turned off.
Since I often use my laptop’s USB ports to charge a cell phone, iPod or other small gadget, this means no more waking up to find my phone battery still dead because my computer took a snooze.
The Irvine computer company offered to send me a shiny new Satellite U405 to test out. It had three such USB ports. Before I even opened the box, my Toshiba contact mentioned that I would need to turn on this feature since Sleep & Charge is disabled by default. That should have been a warning.
I followed the instructions, turning the feature on (At “Start Menu,” select “TOSHIBA,” then “Utilities,” then “HW Setup” and select the “USB” tab. Check “Mode 1″).
I plugged my phone in while the computer was on and it began charging, just as expected. Then I shut the cover to put computer to sleep. To my dismay, my cell phone stopped charging when the computer went to sleep.
I fiddled with the feature a few more times. Within the “HW Setup,” I checked “Mode 2.” But the same thing happened. My phone stopped charging after the computer again went to sleep.
I tried a shorter USB cable. Nope. Rebooting? Nope. Googling to see what others experienced? There were reviews that mentioned this feature as part of a review of the computer but no one said that Sleep & Charge didn’t work. (I also learned that the MacBook Air also offers the same feature).
However, while my phone always stopped charging when the laptop was asleep, I could tell that some power was getting to the phone. When I’d unplug the phone while the computer was in sleep mode, I’d hear that telltale ba-dunk chime indicating that I had unplugged a gadget from a Windows computer. Also, a plugged-in USB drive maintained the LED light when the computer was asleep. (But how useful is a USB drive when a PC is in sleep mode?)
Then I did something I rarely do: I called customer service. The 1-800-457-7777 number was picked up by a guy in the Philippines, who asked for my name and phone number. I asked him about Sleep & Charge but he didn’t understand me. He insisted that you can’t use the USB port when the computer is asleep or turned off. I’m not sure if he didn’t understand me because English appeared not to be his native language or he just didn’t know about this new-fangled technology.
After pointing him to this web site (image below), he put me on hold for 3 minutes, returning to say that oh yes, the technology allows you to charge a phone when the computer is asleep. Trying not to lose my patience I said, “Yes, but it’s not working. This is what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
Twenty-five minutes later with no resolution, we parted ways. He nor his supervisor had no clue how to help me. And I decided I’d spent way too much time on this review already. So, in the end, it didn’t work for my phone, a Motorola V360, nor a Motorola RAZR. Nor my iPod (photos below show my iPod getting charged when the laptop is on, but receiving no charge when the laptop is asleep).
But apparently, the feature may just not work on all phones. At the last minute, I plugged in a new phone from Verizon. The phone kept charging even after the laptop went to sleep. Amazingly, the phone kept charging when I shut down the computer complete and pulled out its plug. Here’s a shot of it:
This little Sleep & Charge feature is sure to frustrate users who hone in on how useful it can be. My advice: Don’t bother. Otherwise, you’ll be paying $800 or more just for a charger. The computer itself is nice enough but this feature needs to be sent back to the factory for refinement.