Converters/Power Supplies for US computer in the UK (split from LIST)

Husband says: "She's talking about a PC not a laptop, all laptops come with standard multi voltage power supply's. PC's don't. Some power supplies can be changed to work with different voltages it just depends on the type of transformer used. If not I'm sure you can get suitable power supply over here its just a matter of finding it."

Marlespo,

I have a vaio laptop, and I'm wondering if you can help me?

I need to get it on UK power supply, asap. I am going to be in London in 5 days, and would you reccoment that I just find a computer shop on the high street to do this?

Thank you

Marlespo,

I have a vaio laptop, and I'm wondering if you can help me?

I need to get it on UK power supply, asap. I am going to be in London in 5 days, and would you reccoment that I just find a computer shop on the high street to do this?

Thank you

Yup, just find a shop that specializes in computers. Do NOT use a US-UK converter or your laptop will be ruined... ask for advice. I had to do this for my US laptop... warning, the power supply attachment can be VERY expensive -- but I think I might have gotten ripped off because I wasn't careful to compare prices.

Sprigged, are you sure yours doesn't already have a converter built into the power cord? I have a Vaio laptop and mine does. It's a rectangular shaped thing that has a cord that goes from one end to the wall plug and then a separate cord that goes to the computer. On it is printed: "input: 100V - 240V"

If you have that, you just need an adaptor to make the plug fit an English socket. Mine has been running on 240V without a separate voltage converter for 2 years now with no trouble....

Sprigged, are you sure yours doesn't already have a converter built into the power cord? I have a Vaio laptop and mine does. It's a rectangular shaped thing that has a cord that goes from one end to the wall plug and then a separate cord that goes to the computer. On it is printed: "input: 100V - 240V"

If you have that, you just need an adaptor to make the plug fit an English socket. Mine has been running on 240V without a separate voltage converter for 2 years now with no trouble....

You are right, it does have a converter.

May I ask where you found your adaptor?

Thank you again

You are right, it does have a converter.

May I ask where you found your adaptor?

Thank you again

Any place.. Target, Radio Shack and in London, places like Ryman or WHSmith. 

You are right, it does have a converter.

May I ask where you found your adaptor?

Thank you again

Oh good, glad to help. Voltage converters are pretty expensive, so I'm glad you won't have to buy one.... Kristi's right about the plug adaptor - I have a few of them that I've collected from various places - Radio Shack, Boots (over here), etc.

Oh, do you mean those adaptors that you buy at travel shops for $10-$20? The ones I saw said not to use them with computers, or other "heavy" electrical equipment.

But if you have had no problem, I'll go for it

Oh, do you mean those adaptors that you buy at travel shops for $10-$20? The ones I saw said not to use them with computers, or other "heavy" electrical equipment.

But if you have had no problem, I'll go for it

I don't think they should be that much. They're litterally just little things that you can plug an American cord into that fit into an English wall socket. They're quite small and have nothing to do with voltage which I think is what you're thinking of.

This is the kind I've seen about the shops:

http://www.magellans.com/store/Electrical___Plug_AdaptorsEA240K?Args=

is thi right? 

Yeah, that's it! But you really just need one for Great Britain, which should save you a few bucks. You could even just wait until you get here and pick one up at Boots or something.... 

Thank you so very much Anne

Thank you so very much Anne

No problem! It's amazing how many silly little things you have to think about when you're about to make The Move, innit? 

No problem! It's amazing how many silly little things you have to think about when you're about to make The Move, innit? 

Indeed! 

I picked up the adaptor today- a Samsonite 1600 watt converter. It still warns against use with computers- but I'm going for it. I think it may be referring to large single cotange desktops.

I picked up the adaptor today- a Samsonite 1600 watt converter. It still warns against use with computers- but I'm going for it. I think it may be referring to large single cotange desktops.

To be honest, I'm still a tiny bit confused by that - "1600 watt converter" implies that it's a voltage converter, not just a plug converter and you don't need that.... The reason that it would say not to use it with certain appliances is because they run on more than 1600 watts - so you would need a bigger converter. But that's built into your Vaio cord. You don't need to convert the flow of electricity, you just need to be able to fit the plug into a 3-prong socket.

Anyone else care to comment - maybe I just haven't had enough coffee yet....

To be honest, I'm still a tiny bit confused by that - "1600 watt converter" implies that it's a voltage converter, not just a plug converter and you don't need that.... The reason that it would say not to use it with certain appliances is because they run on more than 1600 watts - so you would need a bigger converter. But that's built into your Vaio cord. You don't need to convert the flow of electricity, you just need to be able to fit the plug into a 3-prong socket.

Anyone else care to comment - maybe I just haven't had enough coffee yet....

You're correct.  Plug converters are not that expensive and can be bought at most stores.