US Dell Notebook to use in UK??

chimaera · 26 May 2006 at 15:57

Ok basically i have a Dell Inspiron 6000 notebook, bought from the states, and i want to make it work over here.

My initial thought was to just buy a new power chord from Dell, but since they charge £60 i'm sure i can do it for cheaper.

Is it just a case of changing the socket cord that goes into the transformer, or do i have to buy the whole cable inc the transformer box for it to work?

Many Thanks all.

Stelly · 26 May 2006 at 16:03

I think that you might have to bite the bullet and buy the whole thing mate

Stelly

marcus_667 · 26 May 2006 at 16:04

thats what i was thinking tbh youd think the transformer has us voltage specs too not too sure though

split · 26 May 2006 at 16:11

Does it look like this?
Some of the transformers work on world voltage (they sense it and change accordingly)

chimaera · 26 May 2006 at 16:12

Yeah i get the feeling it'll be the whole thing, i found one for £25 so its not too bad, just didn't want to do that and find that i could've picked up a socket cable for a fiver.

I'm assuming the laptop will immediately recognise the new voltage, or will i have to flip a switch to convert the PSU to 240v like on standard desktops?

chimaera · 26 May 2006 at 16:12

split said:
Does it look like this?
Some of the transformers work on world voltage (they sense it and change accordingly)

Yup thats the exact one, maybe i'll try it and see, just a bit worried of frying the laptop.

split · 26 May 2006 at 16:15

chimaera said:
Yup thats the exact one, maybe i'll try it and see, just a bit worried of frying the laptop.

Noooo.
Has it got any numbers or spec written on it?

This may well depend on age of machine.

chimaera · 26 May 2006 at 16:27

split said:
Noooo.
Has it got any numbers or spec written on it?

This may well depend on age of machine.

I don't have it with me this second, i'll have a look later, it was bought sometime in Feb.

split · 26 May 2006 at 16:50

Model is needed.
I can tell you that...

Dell PA-12 65 Watt Notebook AC Power Adapter with Cord

Dell PA-12 Notebook AC Power Adapter for Dell Latitude D-400/ 500/ 600/ X300 Notebooks and Precision M20 Mobile Workstation Dell Inspiron: 300m, 500m, 505m, 600m, 700m, 6000, 8600, 9200

Voltage Required: 90-135 VAC / 164-265 VAC

You can find that here (cheap as well) but it does world voltages.

Yours may already do it though.

Mordor · 26 May 2006 at 16:58

well my power supply for my Dell latitude D600 states

AC input 100-240V~1,5A - 50-60Hz

DC output 19,5V

Check your power supply for the input label and if it states AC input is 100-240V at 50-60hz you can use the power supply without problems in Europe and the US - you just need a plug that works in the country your are in. I have used my laptop and power brick all over europe and in the US without any issues at all.

Rilot · 26 May 2006 at 17:17

My Dell PSU is also world voltage and states 100-230V AC. The one for my HP laptop is the same.

I haven't seen a laptop PSU for a long time that wasn't auto switching.

chimaera · 27 May 2006 at 00:50

Ok i've had a look and the model number is PA-10, and it does say it takes 100-240v...

http://www.atbatt.com/product/6371.asp

So this is just a case of getting a bog standard 2 to 3 pin plug converter without a step up transformer? Can get them for about a fiver which will be nice.

split · 27 May 2006 at 01:50

So this is just a case of getting a bog standard 2 to 3 pin plug converter without a step up transformer?

Yep.
I think they worked out a few years back it was more cost efficient to make them universal voltage hence I asked age of it.

Dell PA-10...Input: 100-240V AC 1.5A

chimaera · 27 May 2006 at 02:03

Nice one, thanks for the help, you're all legends :cool: