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    'Power Coupler Chip' burnout?

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by Weatherstorm, Aug 27, 2006.

  1. Weatherstorm

    Weatherstorm Newbie

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    There is a really nice sale going on Circuit City, a 60gig, 512mb, about 1.7Ghz... for only $450 after rebate.

    However one of the technicians who saw me looking at this laptop came over and immediately said "I wouldn't buy that if I were you". He proceded to tell me about the European Power Coupler Chips (Sounds like something from star trek). He says that they don't match the American Coupler Chips, and the Acers tend to burn out within 6-9 months. He says he gets a lot of fixes that way, and it's a bit of money to fix.

    So is this something serious, or perhaps exaggerated? The sale ends tomorrow so I would need to know about this right away, because I love the price and I hear a lot of good things about them -- except, of course, this new revelation.

    Thank you for your SPEEDY replies.
     
  2. charlesb80

    charlesb80 Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    I am no expert, but I would guess that a Power Coupler is a big thing (needing to convert or connect large currents that simply don't exist in a laptop). Also, the concept of this being in something as small and low power as a "chip" is wrong. Then a Google for "Power Coupler Chip" turns out no results and finally, I don't think there would be any difference between a European one and an American one. They are both made in Asia!