Bringing computers in Europe?

[Fake Boris]

Question: I'm going on a student exchange in France next year (right now I live in Canada). Do I need a new power supply for my desktop?

Also, can a laptop bought in America/Canada be used on European electricity? Do I need to buy a new adapter or worse, a new laptop?

[Combat Ingrid]

AFAIK, all European countries use 220 volts, so I guess you will have to buy a transformer.

[Combat Ingrid]

A link that may help you: http://www.starkelectronic.com/st500.htm

[Pekka]

Yeah if you use 110 which I think you do, you need an adapter that transforms it into 220.. those cost like under 20 bucks. That's all you need and you're set. So you need those both for your desktop and for your laptop. If you want to have them turned on at the same time.

[Nostromo]

Question: I'm going on a student exchange in France next year (right now I live in Canada). Do I need a new power supply for my desktop?

Yep. desktop's are not "bivoltés" (pardon my french, but Oncle Boris understands) like laptops's, so you have to convert it. If you have a laptop, better leave your desktop at home.

Also, can a laptop bought in America/Canada be used on European electricity? Do I need to buy a new adapter or worse, a new laptop?

Yep, that's what I did. Laptop's were made to travel after all. You just have to buy an adapter for the power plug. So no, you don't have to buy a new laptop, just cheap 3$ adapters. Keep your money for the wine!

[Fake Boris]

OK, so does the adapter replace the current power plug, or it is added on top of it (thus adding slightly on weight and restraining portability)?

Not a big deal of course, but I'd rather know.

[Pekka]

it adds to it.

[Nostromo]

You just plug the current power plug in the adapter and voilà, you're all set. They're not heavy: it's a plastic plug, except the pins are different.

[Pekka]

nostromo, wanna play repeater?

YOU BASTARD STOP SAYING WHAT I'M SAYING! IF I'm first, then you say 'Oh yes, Pekka is again correct in his omnipotent wisdom'. That's all.

He-he-he-HEY! She's a SUPERFREAK!, SUPERFREAK YOWW!

[Fake Boris]

Yeah, so it's decision, decision... do I buy a laptop here or there? (I don't have it yet...)

[Locutus]

I have one of those global power adapter thingies, for vacations and stuff. It's a scary-looking device with pins coming out in all directions, but it's quite small (not much bigger then a regular power plug). You put it between the plug and the power socket. It's supposed to be compatible with any power system in the world (and it has yet let me down). I've only ever used them for small devices such as electric razors and radios, but there's no reason why it wouldn't work for a PC.

Didn't cost me more than a few bucks. I'm sure similar devices are available for US power plugs. Check with your local hardware store.

[Nostromo]

I'm sorry to have angered you, glorified leader. Of course, that goes without saying, the supercitizen is again correct in his omnipotent wisdom.

[Tuberski]

Local hardware stores probably do not have them. I've never seen one and I've been in a lot of hardware stores.

ACK!

[Nostromo]

Yeah, so it's decision, decision... do I buy a laptop here or there? (I don't have it yet...)

Here, of course. First of all, computers are very expensive in France. They obviously don't want people to buy computers. Second, you'll buy it in euros, so it will be even more expensive. Third, french keyboards are AZERTY, its takes a while to get used to.

[Nostromo]

Local hardware stores probably do not have them. I've never seen one and I've been in a lot of hardware stores.

They're easy to find here.