Macbook Pro laptops and adaptors?

[smiley]

Hi Everyone,

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!

[MamaMoose]

smiley,

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

[Paddy]

Amazon have non-grounded ones starting at about $3.50, grounded ones at about $5.99. If you think you'll be going to Belgium too, then you should get a US to Europe one as well - they're different again. A 4-in-1 plug might or might not have the plugs you actually need; it's very hard to tell from the listing/picture.

(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?

[chriskleeman]

Hi Smiley!

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

[smiley]

I have a another question  

The adaptor plugs have to be grounded if it's for a macbook???

Please let me know


THANK YOU

[Paddy]

I don't believe that they have to be, in that the laptops have 2-prong (non-grounded) plugs to begin with. Might be a good idea to get a 220V surge protector though.

[Mrious_be]

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

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  

[chriskleeman]

No grounding necessary in any case, all power supplies of this type are rarely, if ever, grounded. If the plug adapter has a ground on it, it doesn't matter, it's meaningless.

Chris K

[Parker]

if you're moving to the UK, i would recommend the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit. It's got a big price tag, at $39.99 but like i always say, if you're going to do it, do it right.

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

[RHPConsult]

Smiley:

I could be wrong (often am, some would assert) BUT I suggest we all agree on the nomenclature of this thread:

1. What do you/everyone else mean by "adapter"? IME there are power adapters and plug adapters.
2. 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?
3. Or, are you using it as a synonym for a power transformer, aka a power "brick", sometimes confusingly called an "adapter"?
4. 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!)  
5. 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".
6. Or . . .?

I have a strong impression (memory) the the Apple "brick" has for some years been seamlessly "adaptable" to 110v to 220v w/o embellishment or modificaition, except for the plug end which does require an adpater for various parts of the world.

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

[Paddy]

Smiley just needs the plug adapter, Dick - the Apple "brick" is 110/220 already.

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...

[krissel]

Ooh, have fun Paddy!   Take pictures, you know we will ask for them.