Anybody use the airplane outlet to power their laptops ?

[vulcanman]

I have a Dell laptop that I plan to use on a very long international flight.

Having never used a in-flight outlet ... I am curious about how it works ... is it a DC output ? Whats the voltage ?

Do in-flight adapters that are sold by Targus etc ... simply invert the DC to 110VAC ?

Can I use my car inverter I bought at Costco ... provided I somehow manage to use the right tip ?

Thanks !!

 

[RBlount]

Having never used a in-flight outlet ... I am curious about how it works ... is it a DC output ? Whats the voltage ?

Depends on what airline you are flying. I have used my IBM Thinkpad on American Airlines. Their under the seat connections use a standard 12v DC output and a standard Cigarette plug. Other airlines use a "emPower" connection, which is still a 12V CD output but uses a different connector.

Check with your airline and see what connector you need. The Targus adaptor has interchangable connector for both input connectors. I would consider investing in one.

-Rob

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: RBlount

Having never used a in-flight outlet ... I am curious about how it works ... is it a DC output ? Whats the voltage ?

Depends on what airline you are flying. I have used my IBM Thinkpad on American Airlines. Their under the seat connections use a standard 12v DC output and a standard Cigarette plug. Other airlines use a "emPower" connection, which is still a 12V CD output but uses a different connector.

Check with your airline and see what connector you need. The Targus adaptor has interchangable connector for both input connectors. I would consider investing in one.

-Rob

Can you please provide a link to that Targus product?

Thanks.

 

[everman]

Targus , I use their Ipaq keyboard, really nice especially for lots of notes.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: everman
Targus , I use their Ipaq keyboard, really nice especially for lots of notes.

Thanks, $119 is kinda spendy but I'm sure I can find it for around $80.

 

[corkyg]

I have the Targus auto/air adapter (PA350) and have used it on American Airlines and United. It comes with all necessary adapters and laptop connectors. The rated input is 11-16 vdc, 8A max. The output is 3-24 vdc and it provides 70 watts of power continuous. The airline connectors are a round IATA standard affair with 4 pins - only goes one way. The auto adapter slips into that and fits a standard car accessory plug (used to be called cigarette lighters!)

Anyway it works. I had another long overseas flight, but that was on a private jet and they have me a standard 110 vac extension cord from the galley so I could use my regular laptop brick. That worked too.