One of the most useful features of the modern laptop is the always powered USB port – a port (or all ports) that have their 5V, 500mA supply always available regardless of whether the laptop is on or off. How is this useful? Well if you are like me and have pretty much all of your business and travel tech rechargeable from a USB lead, this means that you can always boost your kit in transit from your laptop. This is particularly potent when you have a modern laptop with an enormous battery giving 10 hours+.
Of course, you have to make sure that all your devices are chargeable from a USB cable, but then that can be easy these days unless you have a liking for old Nokia mobile phones.