Can I use a UK laptop in NA without a voltage converter?

[Maniacal]

I'm wondering that, if I bought a laptop here in Britain, if I could use it in Canada without having to use a voltage converter and if I could get a new power cable that has a North America plug on the end? (mac or PC, either one).

 

[Genocidicbunny]

The power brick shoudl say what kind of voltage it will accept. Im guessing that if it says something like 110v-240v at 60Hz then yes, you can use it worldwide since most powergrids are between those two voltages.

 

[Cutlass]

If it has the option to set the input to 110v, yes. If not then you would need a converter.

 

[J-man]

The U.K. uses 240 volts and 50 Hz, Canada uses 110 and 60 Hz. If it can accept 60 volts and 60 Hz you don't need a converter. So not just 110 volts but ALSO 60 Hz.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity

 

[Padma]

Yes, the frequency is different,, but that really only will affect the speed at which it operates. If the voltage requirements are correct, then it *should* work fine at either frequency. (Of course, a 50Hz system running on 60Hz will run a bit faster - you will find your system clock gets out of sync with 'real time' rather quickly - about 10 sec per minute. )

 

[J-man]

^I like to see that effect on race games

 

[Mise]

My laptop's power brick will accept 100-240v @ 50-60 Hz.

In other words, if you bought my laptop, it would work in Canada.

I think the point of laptops is that they can be used by businesspeople who have to travel all over the world. To that end, it makes sense that the power supply can work in a wide range of countries.

 

[J-man]

Also, a European plug won't fit in a Canadian socket but you probably already thought of that.

 

[taper]

Yes, the frequency is different,, but that really only will affect the speed at which it operates. If the voltage requirements are correct, then it *should* work fine at either frequency. (Of course, a 50Hz system running on 60Hz will run a bit faster - you will find your system clock gets out of sync with 'real time' rather quickly - about 10 sec per minute. )

What!? I expected better out of you. That power brick that plugs into your laptop converts the AC mains(mine takes 50-60Hz, 100 to 240VAC, virtually worldwide), and outputs a DC voltage that depends on the design of the device(mine is 18.5VDC). The 3 terminal socket on the brick is an international standard, with the point of swapping a simple cord instead of the expensive electronics when moving from country to country. As long as the power brick is labeled as accepting the mains voltage of where you are, you will have no problems when using a country specific cable. The 50 or 60 Hz line frequency has absolutely no effect on the speed of your computer.

 

[Padma]

I'll take your word for it, today.

13 years ago, I had other experience, running US systems in Europe.