Traveling to Germany with a Powerbook, not sure of power supply

[mojohanna]

Hello all,
I will be heading to Germany in Nov for a huge trade show. My mom has been kind enough to loan me her 17" powerbook for the trip. I intend to use it on the plane to watch movies and maybe play a few games. Keep myself busy. I also thought this would be an easy way to keep in touch with my wife. It is a loaded pb with blue tooth and airport. What I am not sure of though is getting power to it while I am in Germany. I have an adapter kit so that I can use the right size plug but I am not sure if I need to have some sort of transformer to charge the pb or if it wont work at all.
Here is what I need to know:
1. Does the pb run multiple voltages?
2. If not, is it even a smart idea to use a transformer to charge the thing?
3. Anyone travel on a plane recently that gave you the ability to plug into 110? I have heard of this being offered but never experienced it.
4. if no plug in for the plane, is it a good idea to get a second battery?

and lastly, other than the normal dangers of traveling with a laptop, is there anything else I should be aware of while out of the country with a laptop.

Thanks!

 

[OCOTILLO]

115VAC?

Hello all,
I will be heading to Germany in Nov for a huge trade show. My mom has been kind enough to loan me her 17" powerbook for the trip. I intend to use it on the plane to watch movies and maybe play a few games. Keep myself busy. I also thought this would be an easy way to keep in touch with my wife. It is a loaded pb with blue tooth and airport. What I am not sure of though is getting power to it while I am in Germany. I have an adapter kit so that I can use the right size plug but I am not sure if I need to have some sort of transformer to charge the pb or if it wont work at all.
Here is what I need to know:
1. Does the pb run multiple voltages?
2. If not, is it even a smart idea to use a transformer to charge the thing?
3. Anyone travel on a plane recently that gave you the ability to plug into 110? I have heard of this being offered but never experienced it.
4. if no plug in for the plane, is it a good idea to get a second battery?

and lastly, other than the normal dangers of traveling with a laptop, is there anything else I should be aware of while out of the country with a laptop.

Thanks!

It has been a long time, but when I exhibited electronic equipment at a German trade show, they provided 115VAC for the exhibitors that needed it.

 

[mojohanna]

It has been a long time, but when I exhibited electronic equipment at a German trade show, they provided 115VAC for the exhibitors that needed it.

Our booth is set up with 220v per the specs we received. I was thinking more along the lines of hotel room charging. I don't need the computer at the show, but will probably carry it with me for fear of losing it.

 

[CanadaRAM]

1. Does the pb run multiple voltages?

Look on the power brick itself, you should see whether it says 100-240V 50/60~

Simple rule -- Don't plug anything in unless you can read right on the device that it handles 220 or 240 V.

Take a BOOTABLE COPY of the OS CDs. Never know when you need to reset a password or repair a drive.

 

[mojohanna]

Look on the power brick itself, you should see whether it says 100-240V 50/60~

Simple rule -- Don't plug anything in unless you can read right on the device that it handles 220 or 240 V.

Take a BOOTABLE COPY of the OS CDs. Never know when you need to reset a password or repair a drive.

Thanks, that is a great help. I checked my power bricks for my ipods and they have that information clearly stamped on the brick. I sent an email to my mom to confirm that it is clearly marked on hers. It looks like it just steps the voltage down from the 100-240 to 12v. So i should only need an adapter to make the plug fit the type of plugs they have there.

Appreicate the help.

 

[alexstein]

most portable devices like iPods, iBooks, PowerBooks have a reducer built right into the power brick.

my iBooks states :

Input AC 100V - 240V Output 24.5V.

with that said yes you just need an adaptor and you good to go.

caution: always check the statement on the powerbrick and never assume. it can be fatal for your machine.

 

[jsw]

My 12" PB worked fine in Zurich and Finland. Bought a refurb Firewire iPod charger for $10, came with the international adapters which work with the PB power brick.