Tech tips for visitors to Hong Kong and Singapore
Apr 10, 2019, 8:04 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,912
That may have been me, or at least I was part of that discussion. I just picked up a new one for USB C as well and verified that my Anker PD1 Atom works very well for charging my MBP at about 1/3 the size of the Apple 65W adapter. I also recently got my kickstarter Piri charger that shows the iPhone pulling 2.4A on it's internal meter, so next is to measure that externally for accuracy. And yeah, it's amazing just how different two seemingly identical cables can be... which is why I usually only buy the Apple ones these days, unless it's one of those things where I simply have no other option and need it ASAP.
Apr 23, 2019, 1:29 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: FRA
Posts: 582
I never got Airplay working in Singapore or Hong Kong. I tried in so many hotels...
How do you get your videos onto the hotel tv screen? What kind of adaptor is it on your picture (to hdmi), or is it for sound only?
thanks a lot in advance!
How do you get your videos onto the hotel tv screen? What kind of adaptor is it on your picture (to hdmi), or is it for sound only?
thanks a lot in advance!
May 21, 2019, 8:05 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LTN
Programs: Aeroflot Bonus, British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 463
Just wanted to add some commentary...
Pro-Tip for #3 ...
If you are using a North American plug (2 or 3 prong) on an airplane and the plug seems loose, try inserting a UK style adapter (the 3 rectanguar pins) and then inserting your NA based plug into the adapter. Generally you get a bit more stability.
As for power banks... 2-3 8-10k mAH power banks are more effective than a single 20+k mAH power bank. Power banks in general charge VERY slowly. There are some fast charging ones out there, but they tend to cost more. Depending on how much you drain from them, they can take more than 8-12 hours to charge up (and this is at 10k...at 20k, good luck) You could easily end up with a partially drained power bank moving around. I use 2-3 of the 10k power banks (depending on situation) when I travel. Sure during transit it weighs a bit more, but then I can often leave one charging at all times during travel so I have a fully charged one with me at all times.
One other thing. I usually have one of those cheap ikea or dollar store power bars in my luggage. Depending on the hotel, some of the rooms are REALLY poorly designed for accessing power for multiple devices. If I'm likely to encounter limited numbers of sockets, I'll plug in a power bar into the local adapter so I can charge multiple devices. I use the cheap ones because they often do not have a circuit breaker. The power bars that do often are not designed for 240v systems (even if your device does). The circuit breakers on those power bars will trip.
As to your entertainment/english in the background, I usually load up my laptop with sufficient entertainment to last my trip. Wifi might not be available (or affordable) depending on where you stay. In your case, with the Surface/LTE, I'd stream audio at the very least. (I have one other suggestion, but I will put it in the other thread).
Also, most large hotels I know of (especially in Singapore or HK) would have some english channels at the very least that you can tune into.... whether it is BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, MSNBC or Channel News Asia. Or if you are using LTE, you can also stream stations over the internet if you don't have Wifi.
Pro-Tip for #3 ...
If you are using a North American plug (2 or 3 prong) on an airplane and the plug seems loose, try inserting a UK style adapter (the 3 rectanguar pins) and then inserting your NA based plug into the adapter. Generally you get a bit more stability.
As for power banks... 2-3 8-10k mAH power banks are more effective than a single 20+k mAH power bank. Power banks in general charge VERY slowly. There are some fast charging ones out there, but they tend to cost more. Depending on how much you drain from them, they can take more than 8-12 hours to charge up (and this is at 10k...at 20k, good luck) You could easily end up with a partially drained power bank moving around. I use 2-3 of the 10k power banks (depending on situation) when I travel. Sure during transit it weighs a bit more, but then I can often leave one charging at all times during travel so I have a fully charged one with me at all times.
One other thing. I usually have one of those cheap ikea or dollar store power bars in my luggage. Depending on the hotel, some of the rooms are REALLY poorly designed for accessing power for multiple devices. If I'm likely to encounter limited numbers of sockets, I'll plug in a power bar into the local adapter so I can charge multiple devices. I use the cheap ones because they often do not have a circuit breaker. The power bars that do often are not designed for 240v systems (even if your device does). The circuit breakers on those power bars will trip.
As to your entertainment/english in the background, I usually load up my laptop with sufficient entertainment to last my trip. Wifi might not be available (or affordable) depending on where you stay. In your case, with the Surface/LTE, I'd stream audio at the very least. (I have one other suggestion, but I will put it in the other thread).
Also, most large hotels I know of (especially in Singapore or HK) would have some english channels at the very least that you can tune into.... whether it is BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, MSNBC or Channel News Asia. Or if you are using LTE, you can also stream stations over the internet if you don't have Wifi.
May 21, 2019, 10:12 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SJC (AA PLT 2MM - Marriott LTT - Avis Preferred)
Posts: 2,028
I bring my own 6ft HDMI cable and Apple's Lightning Digital AV adapter. This way, I can livestream the TiVo app from my iPad.
May 21, 2019, 10:45 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,369
100Whr is 26k mAh at 3.8V nominal - most batteries are advertised as mAh not Whr, ideally you want one that displays both on the device in case TSA/security decides to be picky
for intl, depends on airline and local authorities. Unfortunately, there are a lot of reports of airports in China confiscating portable batteries during securityscreening , irregardless if whether it's labeled under 100Whr (china authorities follow same rule as FAA, allow under 100Whr, 160Whr needs airline approval)
May 24, 2019, 7:08 am
#21
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,912
As for power banks inside the cabin, it shouldn't be an issue. Keep in mind, until recently, most China-based airlines did not allow the use of cellphones / handphones in-flight. That MAY include just charging it. This is likely what you encountered (depending on when you did this). Most of those airlines now have the choice instead of a fixed "cannot use" rule. The funny thing is that you could use a tablet without issue, but not a phone.