Travel Technology - What is the best international travel adapter for the Dell Latitude D810?

My wife is having a Dell Latitude D810 notebook delivered tomorrow and will need an international travel adapter to use in Western Europe, China, Bali and assorted other destinations that she will be traveling to for her job. What is the best type of adapter to purchase for this purpose?

I saw one from Belkin (http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=201473&pcount=&Product_Id=135430) and another from Targus (http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=PA025U). Will either of these serve her purpose or is there another one that is better suited. Also is there a combination travel kit which also includes Empower capability for the air portion of her travel or do I have to purchase this separately?

Your AC adapter will work fine internationally. If you look at it it should have a voltage rating on it. Every Dell I've ever owned has been rated for 100-240v and 50/60Hz. All you need are the correct plug adapters.

For air, Dell sells these (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productlisting.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=04&category_id=6273&first=true) auto/air adapters. The D810 looks like it requires 90 watts which is more than Empower can provide so it will power but likely not charge it while in air. This (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=A0514667&c=us&l=en&cs=04&category_id=5851&first=true&page=productlisting.aspx) adapter looks like the only one Dell sells that's capable of powering and charging the notebook properly.

Your AC adapter will work fine internationally. If you look at it it should have a voltage rating on it. Every Dell I've ever owned has been rated for 100-240v and 50/60Hz. All you need are the correct plug adapters.

For air, Dell sells these (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productlisting.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=04&category_id=6273&first=true) auto/air adapters. The D810 looks like it requires 90 watts which is more than Empower can provide so it will power but likely not charge it while in air. This (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=A0514667&c=us&l=en&cs=04&category_id=5851&first=true&page=productlisting.aspx) adapter looks like the only one Dell sells that's capable of powering and charging the notebook properly.

This Duracell 90-Watt Auto/Air Adapter appears to be capable of charging as well as powering the D810. I was under the impression based on posts that I have read in other threads on the Travel Technology board that Empower adapters cannot charge Dell Latitude D series notebooks. Is this the exception to the rule?

Also, do you have a preference to either of the two international plug adapters that I have listed in my original post, or is there another brand that you like for the type of international traveling I have described?

In my experiences in Western Europe, Israel and China, I've found that between the standard US-style "Type A" prongs on my cords and a "Type C" adapter shown here (http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#plugs) will give me access to 90% of the outlets I've encountered (add a "Type G" adapter to the list for the UK and Hong Kong). Carrying a few $3 Type C adapters (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104181&cp=&kw=plug+adapter&parentPage=search) for plugging your US "Type A" cords into international Type C outlets is a lot easier than carrying around those big kits that have every adapter imaginable. Then again, if you do end up somewhere with a weird outlet, it sucks not to have what you need.

This Duracell 90-Watt Auto/Air Adapter appears to be capable of charging as well as powering the D810. I was under the impression based on posts that I have read in other threads on the Travel Technology board that Empower adapters cannot charge Dell Latitude D series notebooks. Is this the exception to the rule?

Also, do you have a preference to either of the two international plug adapters that I have listed in my original post, or is there another brand that you like for the type of international traveling I have described?

My apologies!!! Helps when you click. I've used devices like the Belkin before but haven't used it specifically. They can work but more often than not end up breaking. I've fallen back on the Targus type adapters. They take up more room but you needn't worry about the thing binding and breaking when you try to shift from one plug to another. In particular, I tried this one (http://www.ebags.com/products/index.cfm?modelid=15210&sourceID=NXTAGSHP) and absolutely hated it.

On the Duracell adapter, I have no personal experience. Knowing Empower's hard limitation, knowing that all the OTHER 90w adapters say they either won't work in air or don't charge, and seeing how Dell's own adapter that says it charges and powers only outputs 65w I don't see HOW the thing could power and charge off an Empower outlet. I could be wrong; it just doesn't add up.

Just because the Duracell unit has the capability of producing 90 watts does not mean that it can do it if the power source only puts out 65 watts.

Empower is limited to about 65 watts. That's all you can get out of it.

A lot of 110 volt outlets on planes are similarly limited.

It doesn't matter what your adapter is capable of putting out. When the source is limited, so is the output from the adapter.

That's one of the problems with buying a desktop replacment (desktop components) instead of a portable notebook (low power components).

Bottom line is that you will not be able to charge and use the computer at the same time. You might be able to use the computer if the battery is full or if the battery is removed.

The best plug adapter I have found is the APC Universal Plug Adapter (INPA). Really ingenious engineering.

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=INPA

It works everywhere!

I don't have specific knowledge of the D810, but the newer Dell models starting with D600 (D800?) have a special chip that prevents third party power adapters from charging the battery, even if they can power the computer while plugged in. The safest bet for airplane or 12 volt power would be an inverter.

An inverter cannot increase the amount of power put out from an in-seat aircraft power supply. In this case, it would make no difference at all.

I don't have any specific information about the Dell chip you are referencing, but the only thing that makes sense is that when the current does not have enough power to both power the computer and charge the battery at the same time, it shuts down the recharge function. Even if so, you still have to hope the computer is not consuming so much power that the in-seat output still can't provide sufficient power.

I don't have specific knowledge of the D810, but the newer Dell models starting with D600 (D800?) have a special chip that prevents third party power adapters from charging the battery, even if they can power the computer while plugged in. The safest bet for airplane or 12 volt power would be an inverter.

I don't have enough info to know whether you can operate in a low power mode or charge the battery if you only have 75 watts available--but starting with the D series latitudes (and similar vintage inspirons), you can only charge the battery with a Dell power supply. Dell even has a disclaimer for the Kensington that they sell that it won't charge the batteries on D series latitudes.

Wow. That would piss me off big time since I have a charger at home, one at the office, and another I travel with. Only one is an original manufacturer's charger (IBM).

I'll bet Dell isn't selling those chargers at any bargain price...

I don't have enough info to know whether you can operate in a low power mode or charge the battery if you only have 75 watts available--but starting with the D series latitudes (and similar vintage inspirons), you can only charge the battery with a Dell power supply. Dell even has a disclaimer for the Kensington that they sell that it won't charge the batteries on D series latitudes.

On the Duracell adapter, I have no personal experience. Knowing Empower's hard limitation, knowing that all the OTHER 90w adapters say they either won't work in air or don't charge, and seeing how Dell's own adapter that says it charges and powers only outputs 65w I don't see HOW the thing could power and charge off an Empower outlet. I could be wrong; it just doesn't add up.


BTW, on the Duracell adapter I didn't see Empower in the product description. Is their more than one type of adapter for airplanes?

BTW, on the Duracell adapter I didn't see Empower in the product description. Is their more than one type of adapter for airplanes?

Yes. Empower is the only specialized connector in use that I know of. Other airlines (AA for example) use standard 12v sockets similar to what you have in your car. The wattage limitation is the same, merely the connector is different.

Yes. Empower is the only specialized connector in use that I know of. Other airlines (AA for example) use standard 12v sockets similar to what you have in your car. The wattage limitation is the same, merely the connector is different.

So do all of the Empower adapters also come with a standard 12v socket plug?

I am convinced based on the information posted here that the Duracell adapter will only power and not charge the D810. So based on that fact, should I purchase that model or is there a preference for another one based on the collective experiences of the members here?

So do all of the Empower adapters also come with a standard 12v socket plug?

I am convinced based on the information posted here that the Duracell adapter will only power and not charge the D810. So based on that fact, should I purchase that model or is there a preference for another one based on the collective experiences of the members here?

I have an 810 and a D400 as well. I bought the dell version of the IGO for the 400. This adapter does both charge and power the laptop at the same time. What it also does is cut down the speed of the CPU.

the D810 will run in reduced speed mode if it does not have a 90W power adapter plugged into it. It will charge and run at the same time (only tested with dell 65W adapters).

On a plane you can watch a DVD as well as charge the battery with a 65W IGO. you just can't do serious high speed stuff.

There is no special chip that detects non Dell adapters BTW, that was funny though.

I have an 810 and a D400 as well. I bought the dell version of the IGO for the 400. This adapter does both charge and power the laptop at the same time. What it also does is cut down the speed of the CPU.

the D810 will run in reduced speed mode if it does not have a 90W power adapter plugged into it. It will charge and run at the same time (only tested with dell 65W adapters).

On a plane you can watch a DVD as well as charge the battery with a 65W IGO. you just can't do serious high speed stuff.

There is no special chip that detects non Dell adapters BTW, that was funny though.

So exactly which adapter are you using for the D810 and where did you purchase it? Does it have an Empower plug?

There is no special chip that detects non Dell adapters BTW, that was funny though.

The point is that you have a Dell version of the IGO, which is capable of charging the battery for the current generation of Dell laptops. The Igo, Kensington and Targus brands will not charge the batteries of current generation Dell laptops--regardless of whether its a "special chip" or some other mechanism of recognition---

With my D600, , I have used Targus and Kensington universal power supplies that have different tips for different computers. You can get power tips that provide power to this generation of Dell computers. However, you get a message that tells you that you are using an unrecognized power adapter--and these power adapters will not charge the battery. IGO does supply power tips for their brand of power adapters, but they have the following caveat on their web site:

" POWER ONLY Notebook Tip S20 for ice90, EverywherePower 7500 and everywhere130 power adapter

This power tip will POWER your notebook, however it will NOT CHARGE THE BATTERY.

Only the Dell-branded adapter will both POWER AND CHARGE your notebook battery."

I have an 810 and a D400 as well. I bought the dell version of the IGO for the 400. This adapter does both charge and power the laptop at the same time. What it also does is cut down the speed of the CPU.

the D810 will run in reduced speed mode if it does not have a 90W power adapter plugged into it. It will charge and run at the same time (only tested with dell 65W adapters).

On a plane you can watch a DVD as well as charge the battery with a 65W IGO. you just can't do serious high speed stuff.

There is no special chip that detects non Dell adapters BTW, that was funny though.

Glad to see real world experience. Given what you say, I'd go with the 65w Dell adapter as they're ALL likely going to have the speed reduction issue since they don't put out 90 watts.

I can confirm, however, that there's some handshaking going on between the AC brick and the computer. I have an XPS2 that I use all over my house and while in bed. The brick, by necessity, is off to the right which puts a permanent kink in the notebook end of the cord. As of late, I've had problems getting the notebook to recognize the AC adapter. The notebook comes up with a message saying it doesn't recognize the AC adapter and won't boot. While in Windows, the notebook gives a message saying the adapter is unrecognized and performance may be reduced. It doesn't say the notebook won't charge and indeed the battery DOES charge albeit slowly. Oddly enough if I unplug the AC adapter, twist the connector and plug it back in, it will sometimes recognize the adapter. That tells me that there's a separate connection of some sort that provides data from the adapter to the Dell. Annoying as all hell but it should be something iGo and others can reverse engineer.

bump to ask...

For you D810 owners out there, how has your experience been? I'm looking at this model for my next purchase and like what I see. Apart from the power issues here, are you satisfied with the notebook?

Thanks!