laptops and ac adaptor

[jhu]

do laptops have specific ac adaptor requirements? can i use one ac adaptor from one laptop for another? or how about using a printer's ac adaptor with the laptop?

 

[WackyDan]

1. Most laptops manufacturers use different plug ends -- the end that plugs into the laptop. Most manufacturers also use a ac/dc brick setup while some in the past and still might use a straight AC feed into the laptop and into the onboard PSU. (that is rare these days)

2. Each laptop has it's own current requirements. ie; most new IBMs need 72watts, some that use desktop processors need more.

3. Don't even think of using a printer adapter on you laptop for the above mentioned reasoning.

4. You can however generally use a IBM adapter on another IBM notebook, etc with other vendors dependingon the age of the product.

5. You can buy universal adapters specifically for notebooks... try Targus or Belkin or iGo.

 

[JBT]

Most of them have different voltage/wattage outputs which is bad for whatever u plugg it into. I would guess most laptops use about the same so that MAY be safe. I would be willing to bet that using a printer AC adapter would kill the laptop.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: JBT
Most of them have different voltage/wattage outputs which is bad for whatever u plugg it into. I would guess most laptops use about the same so that MAY be safe. I would be willing to bet that using a printer AC adapter would kill the laptop.

But the plug end for the laptop may be different and even if it looks the same... It may have reversed polarity compared to the original adapter for said laptop. Don't make assumtions that will make for a dead Laptop.

 

[jhu]

thanks for the input. i'm asking because i'd like to get an old 486 laptop off of ebay, but most of those laptops don't come with ac adaptors. however, one item did mention that an hp or lexmark printer ac adaptor can work with the laptop he's selling.

and before anyone says anythnig, i just wanted a cheap < $30 laptop to put linux on and use the internet.