# Traveling with computer: Current adapter or just plug adapter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 4, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562 "2010-07-04T22:33:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/1 "2010-07-04T22:33:38Z")
How do I find out whether I need a current adapter or just a plug adapter to use my computer overseas? ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/2 "2010-07-04T22:38:34Z")
Most (if not all) computers will work on either 110 or 220 volts. If your computer is a laptop, look at the specifications on the “brick” part of the power supply. If it works with 220 volts, all you will need is a plug adapter for the correct pin configuration. Most desktops also will work equally well with 110 or 220 volts, but on some older models you may need to flip a switch on the power supply. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/3 "2010-07-04T22:46:33Z")
This computer’s adapter has the following written on it: Input: 100-240V ~, 50-60Hz 1.2A which indicates that it can be plugged in to any country’s power grid with just a plug adaptor. What’s indicated on your laptop’s power brick? That should let us know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/4 "2010-07-05T05:10:45Z")
> [@lazybratsche](#): > > This computer’s adapter has the following written on it: > > Input: 100-240V ~, 50-60Hz 1.2A > > which indicates that it can be plugged in to any country’s power grid with just a plug adaptor. > > What’s indicated on your laptop’s power brick? That should let us know for sure. I’m interested too, and my laptop’s power brick listed the specs you mentioned. So what exactly is this plug adaptor I need to power my (Apple iBook g4) laptop in Europe? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/5 "2010-07-05T06:45:10Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > I’m interested too, and my laptop’s power brick listed the specs you mentioned. > > So what exactly is this plug adaptor I need to power my (Apple iBook g4) laptop in Europe? Different countries have different plug configurations, so you plug just won’t fit. You can buy a set pretty cheaply. As further support for what was written above, my daughter spent a year in Germany, took her laptop, and had no problem just using the plug adapter. Neither did I when I visited. Now, a hairdrier is a different story… ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/6 "2010-07-05T07:26:35Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > I’m interested too, and my laptop’s power brick listed the specs you mentioned. > > So what exactly is this plug adaptor I need to power my (Apple iBook g4) laptop in Europe? Depends on which country you’re going to. Though a US to a two pronged Italy plug adapter will fit into _any_ outlet in Europe. People might look at you strangely when inserting it into a UK outlet, but you’ll have the last laugh when it works like a charm! There are travel adapters which are supposed to work on everything, but they are bulky and several dollars. You can just get the specific plug adapter you need for like a dollar. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/7 "2010-07-05T08:20:31Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Though a US to a two pronged Italy plug adapter will fit into _any_ outlet in Europe. People might look at you strangely when inserting it into a UK outlet, but you’ll have the last laugh when it works like a charm! Are you sure about this? In the UK mains electricity sockets are three pin, and all the pins are rectangular cross-section, not circular, and unless all three (including the ‘Earth’) are engaged, the current won’t flow (here’s an [excellent if very simple diagram](http://www.johncletheroe.org/gif/mainsuk.gif) and [this page](http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.johncletheroe.org/gif/mainsuk.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.johncletheroe.org/usa_can/cult/compat.htm&usg=__T4MFkAIlPnEiltgH8QFMGf1AY6g=&h=448&w=365&sz=3&hl=en&start=14&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=E9rts-_XJRk1pM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=103&prev=/images%3Fq%3DUK%2Bpower%2Bsockets%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1) might have some useful extra details). It depends how much travelling you do, but I would have thought it worthwhile to invest in a good ‘universal’ travel adaptor. I have two that I take on most trips, and they aren’t expensive - especially given that they last for years and years. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/8 "2010-07-05T08:41:01Z")
If you are staying somewhere for a bit, it might be easiest to pick up a local power strip that can fit a number of plugs. ---
**Author:** ![Galwegian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galwegian/32/3426_2.png) [@Galwegian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galwegian)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/9 "2010-07-05T08:44:48Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > In the UK mains electricity sockets are three pin, and all the pins are rectangular cross-section, not circular, and unless all three (including the ‘Earth’) are engaged, the current won’t flow. That’s not quite true: you can connect a French / Italian style two prong plug to a UK socket. The round pins in the continental plug slot nicely into the rectangular holes. You do need to open the shutter on the top earth pin first though: usually I use the plastic cap of a ballpoint pen to open it for a second while inserting a plug. The main danger is to be sure that it really is a two prong plug, and not an earthed French plug, which has a hole in the **plug** , and a prong in the **socket** for earth: it can still be plugged in using this method, but the appliance won’t be earthed. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/10 "2010-07-05T09:03:53Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > If you are staying somewhere for a bit, it might be easiest to pick up a local power strip that can fit a number of plugs. Local to origin, not to temporary destination: if you’re going to be somewhere for a while, and you’re bringing several items from home, bringing a power strip as well means that you only need one adapter for the strip, instead of one for each item. Again, this is not valid for items that use a lot of power (hair dryers have been mentioned) or with synchronous motors (a minifan for example - your computer fans are fine). But these are either available in most hotels or relatively cheap. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/11 "2010-07-05T09:35:50Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Again, this is not valid for items that use a lot of power (hair dryers have been mentioned) or with synchronous motors (a minifan for example - your computer fans are fine). But these are either available in most hotels or relatively cheap. I have a voltage converter but it is labeled to be used only for heat-producing devices, like hair dryers. More info in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=384076). BTW I am writing this on a laptop plugged in using only a plug adapter in Egypt, which uses the European-style plugs. Most hotels will also provide a 110v outlet with a “universal” plug in the bathroom. It will be labeled as such. It is primarily intended for electric shavers but can be used to charge electronics too, with no adapter of any type required. My son is charging his PSP in there right now (ETA: for the plug shape, although it could also be charged in a regular outlet with a plug adapter). ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/12 "2010-07-05T09:40:35Z")
I have [one of these](http://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&Sec=18&Sub=76&PID=2211) which is an incredible piece of design, albeit insanely expensive. It converts from any plug in the world to any socket in the world. It also has a USB charger adapter too. Highly recommended (you can get cheap-ass versions of this at most international airports in Europe at least, but they don’t have the USB part). ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/13 "2010-07-05T11:15:06Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > Are you sure about this? Positive. I use the method Galwegian mentions. Though sometimes I have been known to use something metal instead of a plastic pen cap. Really freaks people out, but it’s not a big deal at all. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/14 "2010-07-05T11:46:26Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Positive. I use the method Galwegian mentions. Though sometimes I have been known to use something metal instead of a plastic pen cap. Really freaks people out, but it’s not a big deal at all. I’ve done this too with Euro plugs. You have to jam the plug in a bit, but it works. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/15 "2010-07-05T12:32:21Z")
I noticed several hotels in Malaysia/Singapore/Indonesia have wall sockets designed to take any of the major power plugs (UK/Australasian/European/American), and some of them even have 110v power outlets as well. FWIW, most laptops, mobile phone & iPod chargers, and that sort of thing are dual-voltage nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/16 "2010-07-05T15:17:29Z")
There are 2 types of connections for foreign power - a plug adaptor, and a voltage converter. The plug adaptor simply connects metal prongs of one shape into another, so you would for example get 240V 50cycles/sec (Hertz) out the US-end of the device. Usually these can be small enough to fit in your fist, but I have bought some monstrosities in London and Paris about the size of a small apple. They have the local prongs on one side and the N.American plug on the other. It is just metal-to-metal connections, so likely the thing you plug in will blow up before this does; it can handle as much power as the outlet provides. If the fine print on your device says 100v-240V or similar, it will work with any country’s power; you just need the plug adaptor. If it says 100-120V, it is NORTH AMERICA ONLY. (Plus some other odd little places). A power converter is usually like a power brick for a laptop - it converts the local 240V to North American 120V. Because the power is actively changed by electrical components, it is limited by the power capacity of the electrical components. Most are NOT designed for e.g. hairdryers, which can have a 1200Watt to 1500Watt demand. Heaters especially - hair dryers, kettles, etc - will exceed the device’s rating. Oh, and a warning - one time I had a hairdryer with a 120-240V switch. It burned out as soon as I plugged it in when in Paris, because even though I switched it to 240 I did not turn all the way until it clicked. Doh! And I blew up a battery charger in Australia because it was the one item that did not do 240V and I didn’t read the fine print. Also, some outlets in Paris I found have a raised ring around the plug, so only French (Euro?) round plugs will fit; a square power plug that’s too large will not fit inside the ring, even though the prongs are right. However, most adaptor pieces nowadays are not much bigger than the plug end of a power cord. My dad once told me that ther were two types of plugs in Britain - the old 2-prong and the new square-prong grounded 3-prong. For a long time, a lot of older houses had the old kind, so appliances were sold without any plug and you had to attach the plug you wanted to the bare wire. I would be very surprised if there is anything Apple sells that is not 100-240V ready. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/17 "2010-07-06T04:14:19Z")
My MacBook (purchased in the US) works fine in Korea with just a plug adapter. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-computer-current-adapter-or-just-plug-adapter/545562/18 "2010-07-06T06:57:06Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I would be very surprised if there is anything Apple sells that is not 100-240V ready. > [@Krokodil](#): > > My MacBook (purchased in the US) works fine in Korea with just a plug adapter. YMMV. need to do a little mac bashing here, lest this pop up in the future as some mythical benefit to crapple… (not intimating that either of you were fawning over macs) computers and most electronics work on DC. it’s horrendously inefficient for computer and electronics manufacturers to have to produce 2 sets of power converters - one for 110 v and one for 240 v, which is why most are built nowadays to accommodate both voltages. it has nothing to do with apple and steve jobs being the reincarnation of jesus christ.