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European Power Outlets
Mon, 06/05/2006 - 05:06
Ok, I’ll come clean.
I’m totally confused about what I’m going to need to use European outlets. I’ll be bringing the laptop and cell phone. That’s about it.
I’ve tried searching around the internet, but no product descriptions are helpful enough to tell me just exactly I’m going to need.
Any help on this is greatly appreciated!
— Abe —

Your laptop should work with only an adapter plug to fit the outlet. European current is 220 volts, compared to 110 in North America. Check the acceptable "inputs." If it lists 220 volts you’re OK. Buy adapter plugs (1 for UK and Ireland, 1 for the rest of Europe). Watch the laptop. Don’t leave it plugged in if you aren’t using it and disconnect if the laptop, the plug or the transformer box on the cord get hot. Besides the volts issue which tends to make things run hotter, European current is 50 hertz (cycles per minute) as opposed to 60 in the US — this can mean that cooling fans run slower. Laptops are usually engineered to avoid this problem.
I’m assuming you have a cell phone that works in Europe — most regular US cell phones do not? Again, check the "inputs" on the charger. If it lists 220 volts then you’ll just need an adapter plug to fit the outlet. While chargers for digital cameras and a lot of other electronic gear routinely accept 220 volts, cell phone chargers sometimes don’t.
My laptop says 100-240V.
Am I good with just adapter plugs?
You should be fine with just the adapter.