Laptop power outlet question
 

I'm traveling on United tomorrow and I'm hoping to use my laptop (pretty standard HP laptop). I don't own a power adapter cord. Is this something I need to buy or will my normal cord that hooks into the black box that then hooks into the wall socket be all I need. I went to Radio Shack and the guy was trying to convince me that I need to buy a cigarette lighter adapter which hooks into the seat outlet then another adapter that hooks into the cigarette lighter and then into my computer. Is he right? This would have cost $60!! Isn't there a simple cord that goes from the laptop to the seat jack? Please help. I'm running out of time.

Most of the laptop adapters ship similiar to how he described it. Some have an adapter you swap on the end for either a lighter socket or an airplane seat, others have an adapter that goes from the airplane seat to a felmale lighter adapter, you then plug the second part, the male adapter into that.

It's a convienient way for them to allow you to use it either in the airplane or recharge it in the car for one set of stuff.

Igo sells them for $120, so if the $60 is real, that is a very good price. We've usually just purchased a second battery for our people, it's just easier most of the time.

Related topic: Plug-ins for laptops. Where?

The laptop power outlet on UA is a proprietary one and is not compatible with cigarette lighter socket or any other power outlets found on the ground.

And you must bring your own adapter because there's no rental adapter available on UA flights.

(If you have time...I know you don't, though...you may find one at www.port.com and www.xtendmicro.com .)

Not correct, the UA plug is the standard air plug. The cigarette lighter socket I purchased came with an air plug as well. This air plug has worked on EVERY airlines I have flown on that has had power in the seat, and this is US and non US airlines.

However, there is a big difference between the Cigarette plug and the air plug!



[This message has been edited by JRF (edited 04-19-2001).]

When you say it is proprietary-- it is the standard EmPower outlet? You do definitely need a special cord for same-- I did an extensive post on EmPower (in Continental folder) but to be brief: The Radio Shack model (now discontinued) is now marketed by Fellowes and I like that unit as it covers a huge range of voltages, and you can pick up new tips at any Radio Shack-- very cool.
If you only need it for one computer, the powerXtender (from iGo) is my personal favorite. Some of the others are bigger. If you by any chance are in Manhattan, I might be able to hook you up. If the Radio Schlock model was the one with a little cube in the middle of the cord, and the cube has a tiny voltage selector that $60ish is as good as you're gonna do. Any questions, let me know-- I know all on this subject ;D -jp

Aerzone (formerly Laptop Lane) and Brookstone are mentioned on the www.xtendmicro.com website as resellers, and both are at ORD.

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Tony

JonNYC, you are right. I meant EmPower outlet.

JRF, yes you can find a plug that fit into it on the ground, but you don't find the outlet itself on the ground except on parking airplanes, do you?

I've only seen EmPower on planes.

The Radio Shack guy is almost right. You do need two items. The cigarette lighter adapter cable/ADAPTER sits between your laptop's power brick and the EmPower-cigarette lighter adapter.

The EmPower-cigarette lighter adapter is universal. The power brick end of the cigarette lighter adapter cable/ADAPTER needs to fit your power brick.

I wrote ADAPTER in cigarette lighter adapter cable/ADAPTER because this "cable" might come attached with its own power brick. Depending on what model laptop you have, you actually have two power bricks sitting between the seat and your laptop.

I don't understand why two "bricks" would ever be necessary. Some of the above mentioned units terminate is cigarette lighter plug (Radio Schlock/fellowes) and some terminate in an emPower plug. Either way, the brick (which on the new generation of powerXtender models is might add is more like 2-3 packs of gum-- very compact) should be contained in only one unit, in my experience. I have several of these things and the main differences are:
*size of "brick"
*termination (emPower or ciggy)-- either can be adapted to the other
*ability to change tips (some do, some don't)
Also, the Fellowes/RadShack, since it is a "universal" design comes in three different powers 30W, 45W and 60ish-- each with a different range of user-selectable voltages.