Help with power adapter please (for outside the US)

I'm buying a dell laptop from here in the US (17 inch inspiron), but I have to take it outside the country where electricity is 220v instead of 110v. What kind of adapter do I need and can I buy it from dell with the laptop online. Is it better to buy some kind transformer that I can use with the 110v power adaptor from dell? If you have a link for the piece I can buy, it would be great.

 

http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/laptop-power-supplies.html

Probably a gazillion others available online.

 

Read the specifcation for the notebook adaptor. It is a least 99.9% likely that the input voltage is something like 100-240V, 50/60Hz which means that the PSU will work just about anywhere. All you will need is a mains plug converter to fit the socket where you are going.

I can't see the PSU input voltage specifications being quoted on the US Dell website, but if you click on the Tech Specs tab here you will see, as an example, the detailed PSU specification for Dell's 65W PSU. A 17" top will use a 90 or 120W PSU. I've now dug deeper and looked at the 9400 owner's manual. In the specifications (page 142) it is stated:

Input voltage 90–264 VAC
Input current (maximum) 1.5 A
Input frequency 47–63 Hz

While the manufacturers will say that they multi-voltage capability is because they recognise that notebook users travel with their equipment, being able to have one global PSU (for each power capacity) simplifies their logistics. It is actually very easy to make the electronics inside these switch mode power supplies tolerant of a wide voltage range, unlike the old type of transformer.

You will find that the same multi-voltage capability also applies to much other electronic equipment. Some PSUs come with different plugs to put on to suit local requirements.

Hope this helps,

John

 

Thanks a lot. It works anywhere and I just need a plug converter.