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    help with car adapter

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by shamguy4, Dec 26, 2007.

  1. shamguy4

    shamguy4 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok im going on a 10 hour road trip... 10 hours!!!!
    and i want to use my notebook in the car. but i got this car adapter from radio shack for like 20 bucks. the guy said just make sure your laptop can use up to 1500 watts
    ......?
    I only know about volts on a laptop but watts? it doesnt say anything on my computer about watts....
    they were selling another one for like 100 dollars for certain dell laptops... but im not spending 100 dollars when a regular one would probably work also...

    Does anyone know about this stuff?
     
    shamguy4, Dec 26, 2007
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  2. crinzema

    crinzema Notebook Evangelist

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    Volts*amps=watts

    I don't think he meant to say 1500 watts. My 17" laptop only uses 90 watts. What is the adapter you got rated for in watts? I just recently got a car inverter that is rated for 200 watts and I can plug practically anything into it, even a 27" tv.
     
    crinzema, Dec 26, 2007
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  3. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    1500w lol those radio shack guys need a clue. Look at the AC adapter of your laptop it should tell you how many watts it draws. My C90S is a DTR (desktop replacment) with a full fledged Core 2 Duo and it only uses a 90w adapter.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Dec 26, 2007
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  4. tphilly1984

    tphilly1984 Notebook Evangelist

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    I use a 400watt invertor in my car and i run my laptop, external hard drive, speakers and phone charger off it all of the time! A kettle or a microwave might be too much for it tho
     
    tphilly1984, Dec 26, 2007
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  5. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    Yeah something with a heating element will pull alot of amps.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Dec 27, 2007
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