Options for laptop car chargers?

[clange50]

I'm wondering what you guys use to charge your laptops in a car. I'm going on a trip tomorrow and the drive will last a lot longer than 2 hours, I'd like to be able to watch movies and do other things. Thanks.

 

[TheStu]

Usually you can get yourself an AC Adapter for your car. Plugs into the 12V Cigarette outlet, and has a 3prong AC plug on it. You plug in your laptop brick and you are good to go. Make sure you get one with enough wattage to power your laptop though. Easiest way to check would be to simply look at the power brick for your laptop. Depending on how new it is, and if it isnt a monster (17"+ screen) anything that outputs 75-100W should be sufficient.

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Usually you can get yourself an AC Adapter for your car. Plugs into the 12V Cigarette outlet, and has a 3prong AC plug on it. You plug in your laptop brick and you are good to go. Make sure you get one with enough wattage to power your laptop though. Easiest way to check would be to simply look at the power brick for your laptop. Depending on how new it is, and if it isnt a monster (17"+ screen) anything that outputs 75-100W should be sufficient.

Yup. Pretty much any power inverter will work for you, though some are kinda cheap and will overheat after an hour or so.

 

[TheStu]

Power Inverter! that is what it is called. Thanks ADDAvenger... man, and I work at RadioShack too.. you would think that i would know the proper name for it.

 

[corkyg]

Inverter is a good idea - that converts car DC to AC. But, a better long range sokution for the traveler is a combo power brick - I have one from HP that goes with my laptop - will connect to cirgarette lighter, airplane power outlets, etc., as well as normal A/C. That is what I travel with - I leave my regulart power brick at home.

Targus makes a unversal A/C, air. auto brick, and that works.

Adapter

 

[tommytran]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Inverter is a good idea - that converts car DC to AC. But, a better long range sokution for the traveler is a combo power brick - I have one from HP that goes with my laptop - will connect to cirgarette lighter, airplane power outlets, etc., as well as normal A/C. That is what I travel with - I leave my regulart power brick at home.

Targus makes a unversal A/C, air. auto brick, and that works.

Adapter

Dell also have a version for their laptops.

 

[hottnucks]

Definitely get the power inverter.....

 

[russell2002]

Also known as DC AC Converter and Step up transfromer.

 

[deathwalker]

I use an Inverter when on long car trips, it works very well.

 

[irishScott]

I just picked up a $15 power inverter from Happy Harray's before Christmas, and it's worked perfectly.

 

[corkyg]

My 2005 Buick Terraza has an inverter built in. It works, but for overall travel, the auto-air adapter is the way to go. Inverters won't help you on American Airlines. 🙂

BTW - watching movies while driving is somewhat hazardous to other people's health as well as your own. 🙂