Charging laptop on an International Flight

[vrbaba]

So I am visiting India next month, and would like to use my laptop for most of the journey when I am not sleeping.

Has anyone traveled on Air India economy, and know if they have those car chargers? Is so, does dell sell those adapters for Inspirons?

I have an Inspiron 600m with a decent battery that holds about 2-3 hours of charge. Should I get another battery? How much does that usually cost?

UPDATE: I just called Air India, the lady had to go ask someone else. But she said there are no power adapters inside the aircraft for laptops. I think i will just go with the battery option, and not waste money on an converter.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I doubt it. I've never seen one on any international flight , and If a lot of people had electronics, it would drain the energy grid.

Get another battery.

 

[Caesar]

I was on Air India 2yrs ago and don't remember seeing them. Get a second battery (maybe try ebay).

 

[simms]

short answer: a airplane converter will cost $80-100 and you can only use it on planes.
an IBM thinkpad battery costs $50-70 and can be used anywhere, and provides another 4-6 hours. (probably similar for dell)

it's not worth it unless you practically live on a plane (i did this analysis when I went to asia a few months ago)

airplanes use special ports called EmPower I think.

edit: or use this for $10?
http://laptopsforless.stores.yahoo.net/airpowadcor.html

 

[aphex]

http://www.seatguru.com

Find out what plane your flying on, then match up your seat #.

 

[thescreensavers]

When I flew international they only had plugs in the bathroom

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
I doubt it. I've never seen one on any international flight , and If a lot of people had electronics, it would drain the energy grid.

Get another battery.

"Drain the power grid"? I highly doubt it.

The 777 (for example) main power grid is supplied by two primary generators (one in each engine), each rated at 120kVA, and the APU which is also rated at 120kVA. In addition, there are two backup generators, each rated at 20kVA. That's a total of 400kVA with everything going.

The whole airplane takes 104kVA to run under normal circumstances. Of course, the pilots would turn off the power to the seats in the case of engine failure, but even if you still want to leave at least one main generator idle at all times (in addition to both backup generators), that's still 134kVA of surplus capacity.

Assuming that your average laptop charger is 75 watts or so, there would have to be 1,787 laptops plugged in and running at all times to use all that.

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: simms
short answer: a airplane converter will cost $80-100 and you can only use it on planes.
an IBM thinkpad battery costs $50-70 and can be used anywhere, and provides another 4-6 hours. (probably similar for dell)

it's not worth it unless you practically live on a plane (i did this analysis when I went to asia a few months ago)

airplanes use special ports called EmPower I think.

edit: or use this for $10?
http://laptopsforless.stores.yahoo.net/airpowadcor.html

Thanks, yeah...those are the things im talking about (Empower) but I dont know if Air India has them or not...maybe I'll just buy it for 10 bucks, but I gotta find a cigarette adapter for my dell too. i wonder how much the cigarette adapter costs...

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: aphex
http://www.seatguru.com

Find out what plane your flying on, then match up your seat #.

Not sure of the plane, but Air India isnt on that list. considering its not like one of the best services or amenities, I dont think they will have power adapters...

 

[jagec]

Irecently took a long trip through SE Asia, flying on many different carriers including Air India, and not one of them had power in the economy class.

 

[Vonkhan]

ewww Air India

 

[simms]

I know CX has them on every seat along with TV in every seat. Some asian carriers are super modern.. you should call in and ask.

 

[George P Burdell]

/sees "Air India", starts laughing hysterically, then feels very sorry for OP

 

[MattCo]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
I doubt it. I've never seen one on any international flight , and If a lot of people had electronics, it would drain the energy grid.

Get another battery.

"Drain the power grid"? I highly doubt it.

The 777 (for example) main power grid is supplied by two primary generators (one in each engine), each rated at 120kVA, and the APU which is also rated at 120kVA. In addition, there are two backup generators, each rated at 20kVA. That's a total of 400kVA with everything going.

The whole airplane takes 104kVA to run under normal circumstances. Of course, the pilots would turn off the power to the seats in the case of engine failure, but even if you still want to leave at least one main generator idle at all times (in addition to both backup generators), that's still 134kVA of surplus capacity.

Assuming that your average laptop charger is 75 watts or so, there would have to be 1,787 laptops plugged in and running at all times to use all that.

I love anandtech forums! Where else will you get this kind of logical response?!?!

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
I doubt it. I've never seen one on any international flight , and If a lot of people had electronics, it would drain the energy grid.

Ahahahahaha!!!!

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: jagec

"Drain the power grid"? I highly doubt it.

The 777 (for example) main power grid is supplied by two primary generators (one in each engine), each rated at 120kVA, and the APU which is also rated at 120kVA. In addition, there are two backup generators, each rated at 20kVA. That's a total of 400kVA with everything going.

The whole airplane takes 104kVA to run under normal circumstances. Of course, the pilots would turn off the power to the seats in the case of engine failure, but even if you still want to leave at least one main generator idle at all times (in addition to both backup generators), that's still 134kVA of surplus capacity.

Assuming that your average laptop charger is 75 watts or so, there would have to be 1,787 laptops plugged in and running at all times to use all that.

*Bows*

 

[SuperNaruto]

the 600m has the 2nd removable bay battery

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160105915872 - 30 bucks buy it now

You can buy 1 more primary and 1 second bay battery and you'll have 3 battery total.. the 600m battery are pretty cheap..

 

[Krazy4Real]

You should just fly there in first class on one of your battleships. I bet you'll get there faster and you can use your laptop as much as you want. Be careful not to get phalanxed on the return though.

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: Krazy4Real
You should just fly there in first class on one of your battleships. I bet you'll get there faster and you can use your laptop as much as you want. Be careful not to get phalanxed on the return though.

No worries, I will deploy from my moon

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: jagec
Irecently took a long trip through SE Asia, flying on many different carriers including Air India, and not one of them had power in the economy class.

Ah, thanks. I guess I will go with SuperNaruto's idea of getting a modular bay battery...and maybe another primary battery.

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: George P Burdell
/sees "Air India", starts laughing hysterically, then feels very sorry for OP

Yeah, I ahve heard some stories...But never personally flown in it.

I just hope to have good quiet company around me...I dont mind the seats as long as its not wood or rock...just let me sleep and watch my laptop in peace. Thats why im gonna request a window seat.

.... crosses his fingers for a hot and fun chick to be next to me....but that hasnt happened yet in all my flying experience.

 

[NuroMancer]

The last international flight I took with Air Canada has power in every seat, normal ac power too, no converter needed. As well, they have 7 inch tv's at ever seat with on demand content. Needless to say, it made the trip quite a bit nicer.