Voltage Adapter & Converter For Laptops

[arabicmedicine]

Hello current and future ross students. I am coming down to ross for the fall semester and am in need of advise regarding which kind of voltage adapter i should purchase. I have looked at past threads but it seems like everyone beats around the bush in answering the questions. Anyhow, i need one for my laptop, really don't care for one for anything else as I don't use a hair dryer and am going to wear scrubs most of the time on the island so I will not need an iron. Please if anyone has a name brand or particular model please answer this thread. I tried target but the kind there says not for use with computers. the name brand was Embark. Please advise. Thanks

[MitchDC]

As per all the previous answers, you should not buy one here in the States. The "travel converters" are usually pretty cheaply made and do not hold up. Additionally, it just takes up more valuable luggage room when you can buy all the adapters and converters in Dominica.

However, you should look at the transformer that came with your computer. You know, that little box that attaches to the power cord. Usually it will say 100-220 auto adapting. Since laptops are made to travel, they usually are ready for all sorts of electricity. So, all you need is a little converter which changes the shape of the plug and you can buy them in Portsmouth for just a few dollars.

However, most people like to be extra careful with their notebook computer. You may get a small transformer and plug a plug strip (with surger protection) into it.

But again, don't bring it with you. Who knows, your apartment may already come with 110 power and all the transformers you need.

M

Hello current and future ross students. I am coming down to ross for the fall semester and am in need of advise regarding which kind of voltage adapter i should purchase. I have looked at past threads but it seems like everyone beats around the bush in answering the questions. Anyhow, i need one for my laptop, really don't care for one for anything else as I don't use a hair dryer and am going to wear scrubs most of the time on the island so I will not need an iron. Please if anyone has a name brand or particular model please answer this thread. I tried target but the kind there says not for use with computers. the name brand was Embark. Please advise. Thanks

[Cuando2]

just like the above poster said, almost all laptops will convert the electricity voltage for you. all you need to do is change the shape of the plug and you're set. otherwise, as for hair dryers, many of those too have a little switch somewhere on the handle or something that allows for diff voltages, esp. the travel-sized models. most camera chargers and camcorders also have self-adjusting voltages. good luck.

[arabicmedicine]

just like the above poster said, almost all laptops will convert the electricity voltage for you. all you need to do is change the shape of the plug and you're set. otherwise, as for hair dryers, many of those too have a little switch somewhere on the handle or something that allows for diff voltages, esp. the travel-sized models. most camera chargers and camcorders also have self-adjusting voltages. good luck.


thanks for your reply

[Dru]

It is an excellent investment to have a back-up battery for your laptop. If you keep them both charged, you will be able to survive a power-outage and have nonstop use of your laptop that way.

[muscles316]

I don't plan on using my hair dryer down there because I am bald :p !

[Sam84]

My laptop cord thing says "INPUT AC 100-240V~1.5A & OUPUT DC 19.5V."
Does this means it will convert automatically? So I wont need to buy a convertor??
sorry, I'm really dumb with electric things!! :(

[JLea]

Sam,

Tha answer to your question is yes, you will not need a voltage converter. You will, however, need to have an adaptor to make your US plug fit into whatever 220V plug there is in the place where you will live. When I visited Dominica, it was amazing to see how many different outlet types there were on the island. The most common was a three-pronged outlet that is common in England and Africa.

My suggestion is that you go to a Travel 2000 or similar store and purchase a set of plug adapters. (Not the voltage converter!)

You will also need to find and purchase a 220-240V surge protector. I assume that you can get them in the US, but I'm not sure. I got mine in South Africa. The power on Dominca is prodced by diesel generators and, I am told, the power goes off quite a bit. When the power comes back on, there can be spikes, thus the surge protector is needed.

Remember, Dominica is a third world country and the power will not be as reliable or clean as we are used to in the US. Protect your electronics with surge protectors and unplug them when they are not in use! Learn from my mistakes, I've burned up thousands of dollars worth of television cameras, computers, etc. by not heeding my advice!

I hope this helps...

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Hello current and future ross students. I am coming down to ross for the fall semester and am in need of advise regarding which kind of voltage adapter i should purchase. I have looked at past threads but it seems like everyone beats around the bush in answering the questions. Anyhow, i need one for my laptop, really don't care for one for anything else as I don't use a hair dryer and am going to wear scrubs most of the time on the island so I will not need an iron. Please if anyone has a name brand or particular model please answer this thread. I tried target but the kind there says not for use with computers. the name brand was Embark. Please advise. Thanks

Unless your laptop is prehistoric..you will not need any adaptor/converter.

[Sam84]

Thank you Jlea! :)

[wizard17]

have you ever built your own transformer? its really pretty neat what goes on there...wires never touch... its all magnetic... "this invisible energy magically moves through the air from wire to wire..."