Powering a laptop on an aircraft
 

I have only ever used battery power while travelling on an aircraft with my laptop. I have got some long haul flights coming up mainly with Etihad. My power supply is universal voltages and has worked in Europe the far east and the USA OK. I also have an adaptor which allows me to run it form my car.

What cable do I need to power my laptop from an aircraft? Does it vary by airline?

Can anyone give me any advice on what I need to buy?

Using www.seatguru.com you can see which airlines offer in-flight power, and if you need an adapter or not.
For example, on Northwest (some flights), Lufthansa and SAS trans-atlantic flights, you can plug in your power supply without using any special adapters. The power supply must use 70 watts or less, or it won't work.

I looked on the Etihad web page but couldn't find any information about in-flight power. Perhaps they don't offer it.

Check the Targus website. They sell converters/adapters and will list your laptop if there is an available device.

Some laptops, like mine, have no available adapter for inflight service. I have an HP Pavilion zv6000.

M8

Thank you for your information. I've checked the aircraft and the majority of my flights are on Etihads new 777 aircraft that have in seat power and fixed and wireless ethernet networks for a fee.

Wow, I had no idea some carriers provided power access- that is great news.

Many do... check with the carrier though as not all a carrier's aircraft and in some cases not all seats on an equipped aircraft have power.

If anyone is travelling on Etihad I have received the following email response:

"The power supply on the B777 and Airbus is the same type. It will accept the North American Standard two or three prongs, or the European two prong connector. The voltage is 110V @ 60Hz (standard US domestic)."

So it looks as though they have covered off most options, other than I will need adaptor to use my UK plug.

I have the same problem with my Dell XPS M170. It needs 130V and I can't get it to work with anything.

Mine isn't a power issue. Targus just doesn't make a plug that will fit in to the back of my computer. However, mine is world voltage compatible.

I use the iGo universal transformer - good for planes (with low or high voltage seat power outlets) cars and home/hotels. One transformer covers my PC, blackberry, and most other electrical items.

yeah, i use a similar product from sharper image that converts the Empower to a power outlet and then i just plug in my adaptor

but i have a Dell I9300 and last time i used it on BA, it was sucking too much juice and the Empower kept resetting :rolleyes:

Anything special about the new MacBook I should know? Travelling on a DL 777 in BE. Thanks for any help.

wrong, it is a power issue.

That particular model draws way over the max wattage when on a plane. The DC power adapter made by IGo does work in a car, but not on a plane, so don't waste your time buying one. I tried about 4-5 plugs made by different manufacturers and they all worked in a car, but not on a plane. The over wattage requirement shuts the converters off within seconds of plugging in. The most that a plane power source can put out is 75 watts, and the HP draws around 90 or so.

I was able to charge the battery on a plane but the laptop had to be shut down, so basically it defeated the purpose.

I didn't know much about all that stuff until I made a mistake of buying that particular HP, then I learned. There are few power converter companies that must love me by now. I've bought and returned about 5 different ones.

And just to make my point clear, all worked as like advertised when in a car, so it wasn't the converters.

I finally gave up, and decided to buy another laptop.

Where you been the last couple of months in answering this?

So what you are saying is that Targus doesn't make the adapter because of the power issue. Rats! Yeppers. I made the same mistake in purchasing the laptop. I was in a hurry and had to get on a plane the next day. Nevertheless, the laptop is pretty good. I'm typing on it now from the HGI Columbus, GA.

Thanks for the info,

M8

On a recent NRT->LHR trip (BA, WT+), I found the same thing. So I charged my laptop whilst watching a film, then tapped away for half an hour before the next film, when I charged it again. Not ideal, but at least I got a couple of hours use during the flight.

-lhr lh