Travel Technology - Laptop power ports in planes

HI

I just read on seatguru.com that on most of my usairways flights within the next 2 weeks I will have in-seat laptop power ports. Obviously they are of the type "EM". I just don't really understand, even after reading this manual on seatguru, what I need to charge my laptop. I don't have anything yet except the normal plug for at home, but no cigarette adapter. Ah and since I'm European, I have a European plug. Can I buy the needed adapter at the airport or do I need to go to a special store? And is it also possible to charge my european apple laptop on usairways? Sorry but I really have no idea! :rolleyes:

EM = "EmPower", the standard (ish) airline power connector. You'll need a special adapter such as those available from Kensignton/Targus to connect.

Airports *usually* sell them, but at a premium.

Doesn't matter if your laptop is European, American, or (AFAIK) Martian. All the power supplies work the same. Most of them are universal (100-240 VAC) and differ only in the plug. Once you get to the computer, as long as something gives it 14V or whatever it wants, the region it was sold in doesn't matter. After all, these things are sold to people who travel.

The plug on your AC adapter doesn't matter for this either. The aircraft power supply plugs into the seat on one end and into your laptop on the other. The AC adapter stays in your bag. You will need a plug adapter to use your AC adapter on the ground in the States, but nothing else. (Get it before you leave; they're harder to find here, though not impossible.)

A different approach is to get an inverter. It produces line voltage AC. You plug your AC adapter into the inverter. The kind of plug you have on your AC adapter would matter then, since it must match the inverter. Pros and cons of inverters have been discussed in other FT threads.

If you'll be flying a lot, you should know there are two kinds of airline connectors: emPower and one like an auto cigarette lighter. Most travel adapters work with both. Usually, the cord ends in an emPower plug, which is the smaller of the two. A cigarette lighter plug slips over it.

One problem with charging your Apple laptop is that it may want more than the 75W most in-seat supplies provide. The power supply on a 17" PowerBook, for example, is designed to give it 95W or so. This doesn't mean it won't work, but it won't charge while it's running. It'll maintain the current battery charge, maybe charge it a bit, maybe discharge very slowly, depending on what you're doing, your screen brightness setting and so on. If you really need to charge it, plug it in and shut it down or at least put it to sleep. (If you have a 12" iBook or some such, no problem.)

FYI - thsi is true for US Airways but not other Airlines (in case you are flyign on others) as you will be disappointed. IN many it is a premium option and therefore reserved for Bus/First

American has power in coach on many (most?) flights.

American has power in coach on many (most?) flights.Yes, AA has cigarette-style ports in many (but not all) row in Y - generally, the rows favored by business travellers (including exit rows). A majority of the AA fleet has them, the major exceptions being the aircraft acquired from TWA.

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