I'm leaving for Europe (Germany) on Tuesday, and I have everything figured out except whether or not the power adapter for my American MacBook will plug in and work in the outlets in Europe. Thanks!
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Going to Europe Soon, MacBook Question
- Thread starter Zwhaler
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Gray-Wolf
macrumors 68030
It won't. Get an adapter set, that works with different voltage and connections. Us is different voltage, and tab set up than most if not all EU countries. And get you a surge suppressor too.
Edit -
http://goeurope.about.com/od/electricityineurope/tp/power_adapters.htm
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/electric.htm
Edit -
http://goeurope.about.com/od/electricityineurope/tp/power_adapters.htm
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/electric.htm
The power adapter will work but you'll either have to get a converter or switch the prongs. Apple makes an international power thingy which will allow you to swap the prongs on the adapter, but it's sorta expensive compared to your other options, but it'll be the easiest.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M8794G/B?fnode=home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/power&mco=MTM2Nzg
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M8794G/B?fnode=home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/power&mco=MTM2Nzg
Another advantage of the apple solution is that you don't have to buy new prong adaptors if you go to places like Ireland or England(but then again you will need them for your other gizmos....)
And of course that being said, I live in Germany and have a US macbook, and I just use a 1 euro prong adaptor. Works.
I too am leaving for Europe soon, and while the adapter seems like a good solution for plugging in the charger, I wonder if some sort of converter is needed to convert the voltage of the charger for use in Europe? Or does this adapter solve this issue as well?
No power converter is necessary. Just an adapter with the correct prongs. Your current apple power adapter can handle an input voltage range of 100-240volts.
The prong adaptor set is the smartest and cheapest option for around-the-world travel. You can get a 2-prong adaptor at travel stores (e.g. REI, $3) and plug your U.S. prongs into the skinny, tiny prong adaptor (ultra-cheap!)... you can look around the airport on arrival and buy whatever is there... or you can search for an Apple store on arrival and buy a iPod power block, remove the prongs and fit those onto your Mac power block. The Mac power block does handle European voltages, though.
Just got back from London. Walmart has a good adapter for $11 but you got to get it where they're luggage is. Worked perfectly and is about $20 less than other similar adapters were.