Post by: smiley on June 20, 2007, 04:20:28 PM
I was wondering if you experts could help me answer something about mac laptops. If I get a laptop in the US, what do I need to get if I move to the UK?
I know they include an adaptor, but what else do I need. I just need an adaptor plug, and does it have to be grounded? If so, please advise where I should get it. I'm looking at one's that are all in one?
What do you guys think about this one,
http://www.ebags.com/lewis_n_clark/univers...m?modelid=70733
Thanks in advanced!
Post by: MamaMoose on June 21, 2007, 03:19:43 AM
Get on the web or go to a local travel store and look for US to UK (Scotland, Wales, Britain, Ireland?) adaptor. The laptop has a two prong US standard plug. The adaptor should adapt the plug to a standard UK plug. Most outlets here in the US are three-prong (ground) but a grounded adaptor should work just fine. It should not cost you more that 1 -3 Euros.
MamaMoose
Post by: Paddy on June 21, 2007, 07:25:53 AM
(And I just discovered that the Swiss and Italians use yet ANOTHER type and I don't happen to have it in my little pile...hubby must though, since he takes his laptop to Switzerland every year.)
One of life's little puzzles...why on earth did we end up with SO MANY electrical plug types?
Post by: chriskleeman on June 21, 2007, 11:02:18 PM
I hate to recommend Radio Shack, but for about $10 they have an adapter kit that covers almost everything, and includes a little pouch to carry them all in. I know that the old G4 iBook power supplies could work on either 220 or 110, and I think the newer ones are that way as well...
But this adapter kit really does cover most or all of the European plug and voltage styles.
HTH,
Chris K
Post by: smiley on June 22, 2007, 03:40:40 PM
The adaptor plugs have to be grounded if it's for a macbook???
Please let me know
THANK YOU
Post by: Paddy on June 22, 2007, 04:11:57 PM
Post by: Mrious_be on June 23, 2007, 10:04:29 AM
QUOTE(smiley @ Jun 22 2007, 08:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have a another question
The adaptor plugs have to be grounded if it's for a macbook???
Please let me know
THANK YOU
The adaptor plugs have to be grounded if it's for a macbook???
Please let me know
THANK YOU
I just checked the plug on the iBook from me and it is not grounded so it's not really needed for the laptop.
I am at mum's
but it is a different keyboard so I am having problem's typing 
Miss you lotsssssssss
Post by: chriskleeman on June 23, 2007, 11:10:10 AM
Chris K
Post by: Parker on June 23, 2007, 10:57:43 PM
The Apple adapter i think is a good idea since you're moving because since it's an apple adapter, if you have a problem with the charger, you can bring it to the store with the UK adapter on it from apple and they won't give you a hard time about it.
Cheers,
Parker
Post by: RHPConsult on June 24, 2007, 10:30:18 AM
I could be wrong (often am, some would assert) BUT I suggest we all agree on the nomenclature of this thread:
- What do you/everyone else mean by "adapter"? IME there are power adapters and plug adapters.
- Are you using that term to refer to a small device into which your 'Book's 110 US plug fits, so to adapt to the shape/size of a UK or "EU variant" of a wall socket?
- Or, are you using it as a synonym for a power transformer, aka a power "brick", sometimes confusingly called an "adapter"?
- Why are we worrying about 3-prong grounding? Modern 2-prong plugs are designed with polarized plugs for adequate safety (one prong larger than the other, always carrying a tag with a legend saying to be sure one doesn't try to insert it the "wrong" way!)
- I'm sure you are not referring to an "invertor", such as would be used to charge/operate your 'Book from a socket in your automobile . . . some might think of one (incorrectly) as an "adapter".
- Or . . .?
Note to Paddy: Ask that double-E of yours which he predicts will come first: George and Highmac and Peter and the Japanese driving on the "right" side of the road, or a universal electrical "plug"???
While LewisNClark (in my personal experience) is a highly dependable producer of excellent travel goods, I doubt that you need anything quite so imposing as they offer on your link..
Kensington has a set of different "bricks" (more like small pieces of toast, in size), but more importantly they have a really clever "nest" of plugs for adapting any OEM/USA plug to most anywhere in the world that discovered fire > 62 years ago.
Kensington might be your solution
Post by: Paddy on June 24, 2007, 02:36:43 PM
Thanks for the info on that Kensington adapter though - and it's also available at Best Buy - in Canada too - for any of us who can't wait for delivery because they've left these things to the last minute...
We're off to Switzerland, Germany & Paris this week and have just decided to take a laptop to keep the boys entertained while flying, since my husband is already there with his and flies home on his own too. The three of us are flying on air miles tickets, and since they couldn't be changed to direct flights out of Toronto, we still have to go through Boston...so we get to spend about 9 more hours in transit than he has to! A long time to keep a 15 year-old and 11 year-old from bothering each other!
Maybe I should have requested separate seats...
Post by: krissel on June 27, 2007, 12:12:44 AM