Confusion regarding using UK computer in US

[Ladie of the Bees 0]

So all of my stuff arrived today (hooray!) including my desktop PC. I know I need to get a voltage adapter in order to use it in the States as the UK is 240v and the US is 120v, but I'm getting a bit perplexed by all the different models and watt capacities etc.

Has anyone else had any experience bringing a computer that runs on 240v to the US?

[belinda63 3,038]

Look at your power supply and see what wattage it is. .

[nightingale 59 0]

So all of my stuff arrived today (hooray!) including my desktop PC. I know I need to get a voltage adapter in order to use it in the States as the UK is 240v and the US is 120v, but I'm getting a bit perplexed by all the different models and watt capacities etc.

Has anyone else had any experience bringing a computer that runs on 240v to the US?

Usually there is a small switch on the back of the computer where the power cord plugs in that will say 240 and can be slid over to read 120 then just use an American power cord.

To get a transformer that will convert enough watts for a computer can be costly depending on the computer. But a replacement power supply to go in the computer should only set you back $60 any local pc repair center should be able to help you.

[lasko12 9]

Usually digital products today have flexible range of watt ranged from 80v - 240v so traveller won't necessarily be worried about the conversion . However, I would strongly suggest you double check. You can find that noted on the power port behind the case.

[Sal and Jay 2]

I did the same and bought mine over from the uk, but even after having a new power supply it didnt work as it should, I ended up buying a new one here.

[Owen_London 65]

My Dell laptop runs ok with a UK power lead and converter to a US plug. What I'm not sure about is whether doing so reduces the power output of the power supply by 110V/240V (so about halved). If that's the case, some machines will struggle to run.

[JGH 0]

Hi there.

There is two options for that. Check the powersupply (PSU) on your desktop, some of them have a switch on the backside making you able to switch from 240 to 110 Volts.

If not, then you have to purchase a new PSU and if it is branded desktop bring your computer along, since it's not always a standard ATX2.0 PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Power-Supplies/Category/ID-32

Kind Regard

Jens

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So all of my stuff arrived today (hooray!) including my desktop PC. I know I need to get a voltage adapter in order to use it in the States as the UK is 240v and the US is 120v, but I'm getting a bit perplexed by all the different models and watt capacities etc.

Has anyone else had any experience bringing a computer that runs on 240v to the US?

My husband bought empty case with a power supply at Frys (on the way home from POE) and put all the bits from the UK case into the new one. He actually only packed the parts in his luggage and left the old case in the UK. We had a spare monitor.

[JohnR! 5,495]

If your laptop is less than 10 years old chances are it does not need an adapter. i.e. it should work with 120v.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Gegel