here's an idea

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

A friend of Alla's wanted her to bring her a new computer and they found a unique way to do it. Alla pointed her to the website for Best Buy. They found a computer her friend wanted and her friend paid for it with a credit card and specified store pick up using our zip code. Alla picked it up at the local store and will bring it with her to Ukraine. I have done this before. Take it out of the box, put it in a carry bag and off you go. It was more than $300 cheaper than the same computer in Ukraine. Alla picked up a plug adaptor at Best Buy for $4

Alla and Pasha will be going together. Alla has a desktop computer at our flat in Donetsk but she will bring "her" laptop with her and "oops" forget to bring it home. Dammit.

[KittyPollitt 284]

A friend of Alla's wanted her to bring her a new computer and they found a unique way to do it. Alla pointed her to the website for Best Buy. They found a computer her friend wanted and her friend paid for it with a credit card and specified store pick up using our zip code. Alla picked it up at the local store and will bring it with her to Ukraine. I have done this before. Take it out of the box, put it in a carry bag and off you go. It was more than $300 cheaper than the same computer in Ukraine. Alla picked up a plug adaptor at Best Buy for $4

Alla and Pasha will be going together. Alla has a desktop computer at our flat in Donetsk but she will bring "her" laptop with her and "oops" forget to bring it home. Dammit.

I noticed when I took my laptop overseas that even though it said it was dual voltage (I used a plug adapter), the cord would get really hot, like SCARY hot, and I'd have to unplug it frequently. I don't know if there is a solution for this, but I think it's worth noting..

[Captain Hammer 113]

I noticed when I took my laptop overseas that even though it said it was dual voltage (I used a plug adapter), the cord would get really hot, like SCARY hot, and I'd have to unplug it frequently. I don't know if there is a solution for this, but I think it's worth noting..

Interesting. I never had this problem. It was the cord that got hot and not the "brick"?

[^_^ 5,021]

Interesting. I never had this problem. It was the cord that got hot and not the "brick"?

The brick? Seriously?

/facepalm

[KittyPollitt 284]

Interesting. I never had this problem. It was the cord that got hot and not the "brick"?

It was both, but mostly the "brick". It normally gets pretty hot with prolonged use, even here in the States, but over there, I nearly burned the house down.

[elya 17]

we've done the same thing multiple times :-) but also had a similar experience - the laptop gets scary hot. The actual laptop itself, not necessarily the cord.

Same thing with straightening irons - but then again those don't claim to be dual voltage.

[Darnell 8,478]

Interesting. I never had this problem. It was the cord that got hot and not the "brick"?

Ya, I don't have this problem either - I use a power brick thingie on my laptops - I refuse to use other types that don't have a powere brick.

THEN I get a cord from a computer shop in that country, jack in - no problems, no power brick heatup.

I not use 'adaptors' I change out the cord to the brick.

Different strokes for different folks, sure, but hey - you burn one up, once? You'll never do that again...

[Captain Hammer 113]

The brick? Seriously?

/facepalm

Don't hurt yourself there friend, that's what they're called.

It was both, but mostly the "brick". It normally gets pretty hot with prolonged use, even here in the States, but over there, I nearly burned the house down.

My Macbook runs hot anyway, I've never noticed if it was any hotter while I was abroad. I think if it's getting dangerously hot, something's wrong.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I noticed when I took my laptop overseas that even though it said it was dual voltage (I used a plug adapter), the cord would get really hot, like SCARY hot, and I'd have to unplug it frequently. I don't know if there is a solution for this, but I think it's worth noting..

Overseas where? Our son has been using his US purchased laptop for college in Moscow for 4 years with no problems, likewise my computer and Alla's. Though we are there much less than him. He also uses it here when he is home for the summer without the adaptor. Because of the in-line transformer the computer itself does not care (or know) which voltage is used, The problem can be that in some countries power is unreliable and undervoltage or differernt frequency (hertz) than is specified. I would suspect a general power problem, not something in the computer or adaptor.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

we've done the same thing multiple times :-) but also had a similar experience - the laptop gets scary hot. The actual laptop itself, not necessarily the cord.

Same thing with straightening irons - but then again those don't claim to be dual voltage.

Hair irons are resistive load devices and should NOT be used with the improper voltage. Computers are inductive load items and have built in transformers. When they are made, the manufacturer has no idea where they will end up. They are sold worldwide and most of the world uses 220v power. The manufacturer simply inserts the proper power cord extension from the transformer (brick) to the outlet when it is decided where that one will go. Otherwise there is no difference.

Darnell is just buying the "other" cord that the manufacturer includes with coimputers being sold in that country. Our son has done that also for Russia. But seriously he just finished his fourth year with the same computer and it is used A LOT and he plans to buy another this year (he simply must have a new one...4 years is an OLD computer ) when he is home for the summer.

[payxibka 10,045]

A friend of Alla's wanted her to bring her a new computer and they found a unique way to do it. Alla pointed her to the website for Best Buy. They found a computer her friend wanted and her friend paid for it with a credit card and specified store pick up using our zip code. Alla picked it up at the local store and will bring it with her to Ukraine. I have done this before. Take it out of the box, put it in a carry bag and off you go. It was more than $300 cheaper than the same computer in Ukraine. Alla picked up a plug adaptor at Best Buy for $4

Alla and Pasha will be going together. Alla has a desktop computer at our flat in Donetsk but she will bring "her" laptop with her and "oops" forget to bring it home. Dammit.

not a new idea... heard that... done that years ago..

[Captain Hammer 113]

not a new idea... heard that... done that years ago..

I agree it's not new, I've had friends doing this for a long time too, and not just with laptops. But it probably hasn't occurred to some people, so worth mentioning.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

one bait post removed.

[slim 1,525]

the cord would get really hot, like SCARY hot, and I'd have to unplug it frequently. I don't know if there is a solution for this, but I think it's worth noting..

Using the right cord should help out quite a bit!

[SMR 368]

Laptop power supplies can take a broad AC input. The cords, on the other hand, are typically intended for one voltage or the other. That's why almost all laptop power supply have a removable AC cord. You can find a cord in Russia that will fit into the brick (and yes, that is a technical term, no need for facepalming. I design bricks for a living).

If the power grid has a lot of spikes you may have a problem. Further, the higher voltage on the capacitors can stress them more. On the other hand, a higher voltage means a lower current on your inductors. Basically, they are designed to work both ways and should. There is a lot of cheap Chinese ####### out there, though, so you have to be careful.