Alienware 17 - US power adapter cord for UK

I just ordered an Alienware 17, which as many on here have mentioned, I have to recommend calling to order. I saved about $350 with a little negotiation.

My question is about UK vs US power. The adapter cord that I will be supplied is the standard US 125v cord. Will this be sufficient for UK 240W outlets? I'm concerned that that will be over the current limit for the cord. If so, could someone recommend where I can get a proper 240W cord for the alienware 17 power brick or recommend a sufficient voltage converter for high-wattage devices like the power brick?


Thanks!
- Mark

 

first of all I think you are getting your suffixes mixed up. Don't get volts and watts missed up. But you are right, in the US it is 125v and in the UK it is ~230-240v. I'm pretty sure that it will work fine. After all, why sell just the plug adapters if the voltage is completely different? Don't take my word for it though, as a journalist, a second source/opinion is always necessary

 

Every laptop I've owned (and 10 years in the US) have had 110-240v power supplies. All you need is the physical adaptor (I've got one like a rubic cube! Has just about every type of plug and socket, if you twist it right!). Nobody that travels with a laptop is going to put up with a limited PSU.

 

Okay. I was just a little concerned that the current through the US cord would be excessive and be a fire hazard.

 

Nope you're fine. Current=watts, that's what the device draws. The supply voltage does matter but the laptop PSU is designed to work with both major voltages

They do get hotter in the UK but still safe and tested.

 

The kettleplug cords used for the alienware bricks can be used to power... kettles funnily enough also desktop power supplies and deliver 10 times the rating of the brick

 

Every month (almost) I am going back and forth between 110v and 220v and I used the same power brick and cord always. You only require a UK socket plug converter (its like the universal travel converters / adapter - adapter is the correct word, because basically a converter changes the voltage while a adapter is changing the shape according to the socket you are using in your house or wherever you are) to attach it to the power cord. Or you could simply use any other cord used previously on your other laptops / desktops and attach it to the power brick. This is a silly thing, nothing to worry about...

 

It should be fine, no worries about that difference. You will just need a small adapter for the cord.

 

If you didn't want to use a travel adapter, why not just buy a new UK power lead? - there are LOADS of 'em on Ebay that will do the job just nicely.

UK Mains Lead Plug to IEC C13 1.9m Dell DP/N 016583 Brand New | eBay

Should to the trick nicely. Use the US power lead for when you are in the US and the UK power lead when in the UK. The Male IEC plug that plugs into the PSU itself will be the same, just swap the leads as required. Job done, time to go down the pub for a pint...:thumbsup:

If you want, I've got loads of 'em lying around here....US ones, UK ones, European ones.....sometimes I feel like I'm a Dell Outlet for spare parts LOL

Let me know if you want one....

 

Local shops carry them too, really easy to find.

Get a proper manly UK cable