Help I know nothing!

[TheStinger]

My brother says I can have his old laptop. However he lives in the US and I live in the UK.

Will I be able to use the laptop int he UK with a normal US/UK plug convertor or will I need something additional.

Also will the US version of windows run UK software and if not what can I do about it.

If anyone can help can they use simple terms as I can turn a computer on and off but not much else.

[Urban Ranger]

US is 110V, UK is 240V IIRC. So you need to do something about the voltage, unless the adapter is auto-switching. As for software you should have no problems with it.

[Winston]

You're from Barcelona!?



No, I don't see any problems as long as you use a voltage-converting plug adapter (should be available at most any electrical supplies store, make sure to mention it's for use with a U.S. appliance in the UK).

[civman2000]

So Winston beat me too it...bah!

[Geronimo]

don't laptops have a voltage switch built into it like most PC power supplies do? I've nearly wrecked a couple computers when moving them and almost not having noticed that the switch got slid to the wrong setting.

[Zkribbler]

In 2001, I took my then-old U.S. to the former-British-colony of Maritius. I asked about the voltage differnce and I was told then that, for the past several years, voltage converters had been built into laptops. I've had no problem with it.

(However, if you're worried, a converter [transformer or whatever its called] is just a few bucks].)

[Pekka]

Don't be stupid, find out if your laptop has a switch. If you're not sure, get a converter. Costs like 10 euros.

[Zkribbler]

...or check the case near where the power cord emerges. I'll bet it says what kind of power it can handle.

[DaShi]

Yup, I was able to use my laptop in both China and the US without an adaptor. It's rare to find one that doesn't have a built in converter.

[CrONoS]

Strange.

All the laptop I've seen in my life have an input of 17v to 19v(toshiba, acer, compaq). This way they all need a power transformer, to transform 110v to 18v. It's really rare to have an AC Adaptor who doesn't handle 240v.

You have to look on the AC Adapter, there is a small box, where is writed your Input and Output:

INPUT: 100 v to ... 240 v.

Anyway, if you see 240v, you're ok. You only need a plug adapter who cost 5-10$US.
A voltage adapter cost more, and I dont know if it's designed to be used for a long time. Some people told me that their Volt Converter are usually broken after some month.

[TheStinger]

Cheers everyone, I now know a little bit more than nothing.

Shame my Brother hasn't sent it yet.