I need a power adapter so that I can recharge my laptop and a few other U.S. electronic items. Can anyone suggest a place I can go in Beijing to purchase the proper converter? Thanks, Ken.

I need a power adapter so that I can recharge my laptop and a few other U.S. electronic items. Can anyone suggest a place I can go in Beijing to purchase the proper converter? Thanks, Ken.


you mean you dont have those funky looking outlets with all possible
combinations in your apartment?


which area are you staying in?

I need a power adapter so that I can recharge my laptop and a few other U.S. electronic items. Can anyone suggest a place I can go in Beijing to purchase the proper converter? Thanks, Ken.

I don't think you need a power converter as most laptop & cell phone chargers accept both 110V/2240V, all you need is go to BestBuy and get a travel adapter (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=4607624&type=product&productCategoryId=cat08006&id=1051384462685). If you indeed do need a converter, try these (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7153493&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat72100050009&id=1110266394882) two (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7153518&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat72100050009&id=1110266394957).

I don't think you need a power converter as most laptop & cell phone chargers accept both 110V/2240V, all you need is go to BestBuy and get a travel adapter (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=4607624&type=product&productCategoryId=cat08006&id=1051384462685). If you indeed do need a converter, try these (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7153493&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat72100050009&id=1110266394882) two (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7153518&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat72100050009&id=1110266394957).

OP's already in PEK

you mean you dont have those funky looking outlets with all possible
combinations in your apartment?

which area are you staying in? No, the apartment is only 7 months old, however it's all Chinese power; the unit wasn't built for western visitors. I'm staying about 5-7km northeast of the Beijing Language & Culture Univ., near the Beishantan Bridge, just north of the Badaling Expressway/4th ring road.

I don't think you need a power converter as most laptop & cell phone chargers accept both 110V/2240V Are you sure about that? I thought the electrical currents in China were a little different and could cause a few challenges if a U.S. power cord is plugged into an outlet. I stopped by IKEA yesterday to see if they had one, however they only had a simple plug converter, not one that converts the power.

No, the apartment is only 7 months old, however it's all Chinese power; the unit wasn't built for western visitors. I'm staying about 5-7km northeast of the Beijing Language & Culture Univ., near the Beishantan Bridge, just north of the Badaling Expressway/4th ring road.

Are you sure about that? I thought the electrical currents in China were a little different and could cause a few challenges if a U.S. power cord is plugged into an outlet. I stopped by IKEA yesterday to see if they had one, however they only had a simple plug converter, not one that converts the power.

I never needed anything else except plug converter anywhere in the world. Most if not all laptops do accept 110-220 power without a converter. Look on the bottom of your laptop or the actual power cord box, and if it says something like 110V-220/240V you are good to go. I travel with HP and a Mac.

I never needed anything else except plug converter anywhere in the world. Most if not all laptops do accept 110-220 power without a converter. Look on the bottom of your laptop or the actual power cord box, and if it says something like 110V-220/240V you are good to go. I travel with HP and a Mac.
Thanks for the tip, I'll look at my power cord when I get back home (it's a Dell D600 notebook from 2003)

Are you sure about that? I thought the electrical currents in China were a little different and could cause a few challenges if a U.S. power cord is plugged into an outlet. I stopped by IKEA yesterday to see if they had one, however they only had a simple plug converter, not one that converts the power.

Look in the back of the power adapter. it should be 100-240V usually.
andrzej is correct. All you need is a power converter.

Unfortunately, I dont recall a place near by you that will sell
a converte. There are not many place around there.
But I'm sure you can find it in a local shopping center..
(just dont pay more than a couple of RMB for one -
you can bargain down the price many folds
ideally you can buy a few of these for a couple of RMB)

moondog may have a better idea about the area.

I think you are closer to the 5th ring road.

O.K., there's actually a small electronics counter right next to campus and they were selling the adapters for just 5 or 6 rmb each.

I'm in the middle of the 4th/5th rings near the expressway. I purchased a moped on Tuesday so it's a quick (interesting at times :) ) trip to campus.

O.K., there's actually a small electronics counter right next to campus and they were selling the adapters for just 5 or 6 rmb each.

I'm in the middle of the 4th/5th rings near the expressway. I purchased a moped on Tuesday so it's a quick (interesting at times :) ) trip to campus.

Sounds good.. shop in the evening and try to get as many as you need for
5 RMB.

andrzej, rdchen & cpx - thanks! I just purchased an adapter from the grocery store for 3rmb ($0.37) and it works great (I'm on my computer now). The back of my power adaptor indicated that it was designed for both types of power.