[PhilK]

PC World Feb 2012, Pg 15 lists four AC or 12VDC to USB 5VDC converters. The one that I question is the one that replaces your standard house outlet with an outlet that includes two ~500MA USB ports. "Standard USB" power is says. The question is simply, does it convert the AC to DC even when nothing is plugged in to the USB port(s)?

If so, how much power does it consume when we would consider it off, not in use?

A recommendation in today’s world of becoming more power conscious is to always state the power the devices use even when they are "off." This would be a nice thing for all advertisers to include in their ads, I won't hold my breath for that, but it will happen if only for bragging rights at first.

PC World can help speed this trend to disclose the the "power Vampireness" of every device by including this information in all of it's reviews of products.