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    Power inverter

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Rubberman, Feb 25, 2004.

  1. Rubberman

    Rubberman Notebook Consultant

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    What type of power inverter is recommended for the HP laptops? They make so many different wattages. I just need to power the laptop while on the road. thanks
     
    Rubberman, Feb 25, 2004
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  2. boat_bum

    boat_bum Newbie

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    I just got back from a 3 year voyage through Central America on my sailboat. I used my laptop for navigation and e-mail (over HAM Radio) and various other things. I generated all electric power from solar panels.

    My opinion is you shouldn't use an inverter to power your laptop if power is at all important. It is ineffecient to invert the power up to 110ac then transform it back down. A better solution is just to get a 12V power supply. These are sold as accessories for plugging your laptop into a car cigerette lighter. They are easier to use and much easier to carry. And cost less then an inverter. And as I mentioned before they waste a lot less power.

    If you do choose to get an inverter any size will do. A laptop only uses about 50 watts. (Your machine may vary.) So any inverter that can put out 75 watts or so will work. You might want a larger one (say 300 watts) if you would also like to use it to power something else. The smaller inverters are more efficient then the larger ones. But there I go again harping on effeciency Javascript:insertsmilie('[ :)]'). If it was important to you you wouldn't be reading this paragraph.

    Clark
     
    boat_bum, Feb 26, 2004
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  3. Rubberman

    Rubberman Notebook Consultant

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    the ze4610
     
    Rubberman, Feb 27, 2004
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  4. schmalfeld

    schmalfeld Notebook Geek

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    What laptop model do you have?

    HP zd7000 :: 17" WVA WXGA+ (1440 x 900) :: P4 3.06 GHz with HT :: 512MB DDR :: 64MB GeForce FX Go5600 :: 54G Wireless :: 60GB 5400 RPM HD :: XP Pro
     
    schmalfeld, Feb 27, 2004
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