Overseas Power Supply

[rasjunk]

I will be moving to London in Setember for University. I will be ordering my powerbook while in the US. Would I be able to buy a wall charger from apple with a UK plug? Or is it more complex than that?

Also, if anyone has any recomendations on how to power my other US devices (2405fpw) that would also be appreciated.

 

[Applespider]

Your power adaptor will already work. You'll just need the UK plug part to slot where your US one currently slides on. Or just buy a convertor and plug it into that - you'd need one that fitted quite snugly onto US plugs though since the power adaptor is slightly heavy and could pull out of the adaptor otherwise. AFAIK, Apple don't sell individual plugs for each country; they just do the international kit which is kinda pricey if you're unlikely to use more than one other plug but very useful if you visit several places regularly.

With your other stuff, you're likely to need to get a power transformer that will step down the current from 240v to 110v. These start relatively cheaply but I'd suggest getting a good quality one that can handle a fair amount of current with decent fuses and surge protectors. You don't want to fry your gear.

 

[~Shard~]

Your power adaptor has a built in step down transformer, so the change in voltage will not affect your machine. However you will require a adaptor plug, since the physical plugs have a different configuration.

As for your other devices, it depends how old they are. Nowadays things like electric shavers, digital cameras, etc. all have built in transformers as well, so you don't need to worry about downstepping the voltage. To make sure, just check the back of the charger or the charger's documentation and make sure it's rated for 110-220/250 VAC. If any of your devices are not rated for 240 VAC, then you will indeed need a transformer, but they are not very expensive.

 

[rasjunk]

Thanks for the help. The Dell 2405FPW says this:

AC input voltage / frequency / current 100 to 240 VAC / 50 or 60 Hz + 3 Hz / 2.0A (Max.)

The documentation also says:
Inrush current: 120V: 40A (Max.) and 240V: 80A (Max.)

So I will only need a physical adapter for this? Thanks.

 

[~Shard~]

Thanks for the help. The Dell 2405FPW says this:



The documentation also says:
Inrush current: 120V: 40A (Max.) and 240V: 80A (Max.)

So I will only need a physical adapter for this? Thanks.

Yep, you're gold. Nothing to worry about!

 

[alexstein]

i travel a lot between germany and the states. i bought one of those traveler kits for about $20 has everything i need. works out just fine. and it seems like you are all set with your book and your screen.

 

[~Shard~]

i travel a lot between germany and the states. i bought one of those traveler kits for about $20 has everything i need. works out just fine. and it seems like you are all set with your book and your screen.

Yah, the traveller kits are a definite great buy if you do a lot of traveling. I backpack all over the world, so mine has paid for itself over and over countless times already.

 

[rasjunk]

International Shipping?

I'm also wondering if anyone knows anything about shipping (a powerbook) from the US to UK. I would have to do this if I decided to wait until after Apple Expo to purchase a laptop. Would I most likely have to pay import duties/VAT?

 

[superbovine]

I'm also wondering if anyone knows anything about shipping (a powerbook) from the US to UK. I would have to do this if I decided to wait until after Apple Expo to purchase a laptop. Would I most likely have to pay import duties/VAT?

generally speaking when you move from one country to another you don't pay duty on your personal belongings. you should make sure you talk to the shipper and check to make sure you declared everything correctly. however, if you buy it new and ship from the applestore to you then yes you will pay duty.

 

[skubish]

This is the kit Apple sells that will snap in your power adapter. You can buy others though.

 

[mpw]

...however, if you buy it new and ship from the applestore to you then yes you will pay duty.

Laptops are zero rated for for duty but if you import one you'll need to pay VAT @ 17.5%. However your student status might mean that you're not actually 'importing' it as you're buying it at 'home' and will be returning 'home' with it once you're done studying.

You could try contacting HM Revenue & Customs but they're often not that helpful.

Another thing you might find is that you won't be able to ship it direct from Apple to the UK in which case when you folks or whoever forwards it to you make sure they send all the paperwork to prove it was paid for in the US inclusive of local sales taxes etc.