Creating the ultimate surge protector thread? - after searching forum(s)

I may be a notebooknewB but not new to computing. Just bought my first notebook and planning international travel. I have searched the forum(s) for surge protector threads and probably read most. Still, my questions remain unanswered. I hope some will clarify here and possibly flush out previously unposted valid points.

I have seen (Internet) the small Belkin, Fellows, APC and a few others (both plug and notebook only in-line types). So far plug types have only one or two plugs. Some come with "insurance" for your electronics. Many threads recommend these products and others claim they are unnecessary. I can appreciate both sets of arguments. Have to admit, after using the office/home-office types, these portable ones do not look very substantial!

I will be traveling to India and moving around the country for awhile. There, voltages can fluctuate depending on where you are (between 220-240). I am less concerned about lightening than I am about an overall unstable electrical environments. My new Sony Vaio CR series notebook power adapter is rated for the full spectrum of 110 to 240. Still, I am leaning towards a surge protector. I have a Targus plug adapter kit.

So, down to it: do we have any consensus about which models (brands) and/or types (in-line vs plugs) are better (and why?)? And, what do we think about a string that might enable us to use more plugs. For example: Outlet > plug adapter > surge protector > outlet multiplier (like Monster's "Outlets to go")
http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/laptopaccessories/p/outletstogo.htm

This article indicates this string is doable but I have to wonder if the surge protector might get overloaded, especially if we add a power converter (for another item not 240 friendly) onto the end of the string. Certainly, some attentiveness to what is and is not plugged in at the same time (plug management) is probably wise too.

Alternatively: outlet > plug adapter > outlets-to-go and then in-line surge protector. This, obviously, only protects the computer as where the first string approach might protect all plugs.

I guess I am hoping to start the definitive surge protector thread with the hopes of flushing out decisive conclusions for various environments (especially international issues).

T.I.A.
~Lou~

 

Bump - please? Someone has to have a handle on notebook surge protectors beyond the vague and limited info available on the net.