Can US Laptops work in the UK?

Lloyd · 08-16-2002, 01:56 PM

Hi all,

I was just wondering, but would a laptop bought in the US work when brought into the UK?

Of course I'm not suggesting there is a built-in GPS chip that shorts out the motherboard on entry into UK airspace. I'm refering to the change in mains voltage;

US=115v at 60 Hz
UK=240v at 50 Hz

I know you can get adaptors, but would that be sufficient for a power-sensitive machine like a laptop?

I ask because laptops are _so_ much cheaper to buy over in the US than over here in the UK!

Cheers!

Stephanie · 08-16-2002, 02:06 PM

As long as you have the correct power converter, you will be perfectly fine.

You might want to consider some kind of surge protection though

Lloyd · 08-16-2002, 02:52 PM

Woohoo!

Cheers!

GT I.N.C · 08-17-2002, 03:59 AM

you should be able to also get a converter from where you bought your laptop if you bought it from a store....

verlyn · 02-21-2004, 03:35 PM

I was researching this because of my Dell Laptop, which I bought in the US and plan to use in the UK and Europe. I contacted Dell and found that their laptop adaptors contain a switcher to allow access to voltages up to 240, so there shouldn't be a problem. All you need is an adaptor plug.

witeshark · 02-21-2004, 10:48 PM

Power is no problem, how about Internet access? Wireless may be a challenge, the cell phone systems are completely different... woot! more fun research!

markhod · 02-23-2004, 11:56 PM

Hi,

I have wireless on a us laptop and I can connect to networks in the uk and the us with no problems (this is a 54G card btw)

Cheers,

Mark

2k. · 02-24-2004, 11:01 AM

Dont forget import tax also which will probably apply and cost £££

bigjohn · 02-25-2004, 08:42 AM

This should answer most of the "Q's" you have.

And it's usual, that you have to pay the delivery person e.g. postman fpr any duty/VAT you may incur, and who IS NOT allowed to leave the package unless you pay him - though you might just get "carded" to the nearest delivery depot and have to collect/pay there.

Erm, also once you have whatever connector you need i.e. plug connector or power transformer/plug connector, then you'd just plug that into the surge protector and bingo!

HTH

regards

John