Travel Technology - DC-AC Inverter for AA that works with MacBook Pro?

I have a 15" MacBook Pro that uses a power adaptor that draws 85w (and onboard AA, the power is supposedly limited to 75w (https://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/duringFlight/onboardTechnology.jsp&anchorEvent=false)). Until recently, I carried a large, clunky Belkin DC-AC Inverter that didn't seem to mind, and never had difficult running AND recharging my laptop while I was using it on board.

Unfortunately, the Belkin finally broke after 6 years of service, and since I replaced it with a Black & Decker from Home Depot (rated at 150w), I've been noticing that I cannot get the laptop to draw power on board. What happens is that I plug in the laptop, and the little LED charge indicator starts flashing very rapidly. The computer says it is "charging," but in reality the battery continues to drain.

If I close the laptop (putting it to sleep) and then plug it in, the laptop WILL charge. So, clearly it's not a broken inverter. I'm guessing that the laptop draws more power when both charging AND operating at the same time, and that doing both somehow overloads the system, so it shuts down.

Does anybody know of a better DC-AC Inverter that will let me power the 85w supply for my MacBook Pro on AA aircraft?

Thanks!

Just to clarify; I'm assuming you have a non Magsafe Macbook Pro?

I've always been a fan of this one:

http://us.kensington.com/html/10359.html

Just to clarify; I'm assuming you have a non Magsafe Macbook Pro?

I've always been a fan of this one:

http://us.kensington.com/html/10359.html


Yes, it's the Magsafe power adaptor.

Does that Kensington device work? (It looks a little...er...pitifully small to be able to conver that much power.) I don't want to buy something that's going to poop out after two uses.

You might want to check this page:

http://mikegyver.com/Store/index.html

He makes all kinds of magsafe adapters.

Does anybody know of a better DC-AC Inverter that will let me power the 85w supply for my MacBook Pro on AA aircraft?

you can use a 60w adapter with the macbook pro and be within the airline limits (there's an id chip in the magsafe adapter that tells the macbook what kind of power is available).

however, i'd suggest getting apple's airline adapter instead. although it doesn't recharge the battery, it's a lot easier than fumbling with inverters. and i'd also beware of the hacked adapters since they'll identify to the computer with the wrong capabilities.

you can use a 60w adapter with the macbook pro and be within the airline limits (there's an id chip in the magsafe adapter that tells the macbook what kind of power is available).

however, i'd suggest getting apple's airline adapter instead. although it doesn't recharge the battery, it's a lot easier than fumbling with inverters. and i'd also beware of the hacked adapters since they'll identify to the computer with the wrong capabilities.

Wait, so what you're saying, there's a plug/head for the adapters that came with the Macbook Pro? I have 15.4" Unibody.

Wait, so what you're saying, there's a plug/head for the adapters that came with the Macbook Pro? I have 15.4" Unibody.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB441Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDEwMQ&mco=MjE0ODI2OQ

That is the official Apple DC/Empower cable.

Wait, so what you're saying, there's a plug/head for the adapters that came with the Macbook Pro? I have 15.4" Unibody.

scott mentioned mike gyver's adapters where an airline plug is spliced into a standard magsafe adapter.

you can use a 60 watt adapter (and a 75 watt inverter on the plane), however, i'm saying it's easier to just get the apple airline adapter. it's a lot less hassle than fumbling with adapters and inverters. the only drawback with it is that it only supplies enough power to run the computer; it won't recharge the battery.

scott mentioned mike gyver's adapters where an airline plug is spliced into a standard magsafe adapter.

you can use a 60 watt adapter (and a 75 watt inverter on the plane), however, i'm saying it's easier to just get the apple airline adapter. it's a lot less hassle than fumbling with adapters and inverters. the only drawback with it is that it only supplies enough power to run the computer; it won't recharge the battery.

Right, I read that on Apple's site. Will it drain the battery though? Not that it matters. I can find power outlets easily at HKIA.

Right, I read that on Apple's site. Will it drain the battery though? Not that it matters. I can find power outlets easily at HKIA.

With my 13 inch Macbook and my Air, the Apple airline adapter will fully power the computer but will not charge it. That is how they are advertised, and that is my experience with them.