Travel to Australia with macbook

Question

Level 1

8 points

Travel to Australia with macbook

Friends of mine are travelling to Australia and will be taking their 13" white macbook purchased this year and are worried about frying it.

As I understand it, Australia uses 240V 50Hz power while we in Canada use 100V 60Hz. However, I believe that the power adapter that comes with the macbook works with 100-240V power and that it will automatically step down the power without the need for a transformer.

Can someone please confirm this. And if it is true, then all they will need is a plug adapter, correct??

Many thanks,
Marion

Message was edited by: mhc_99

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4)

Posted on Sep 27, 2009 7:17 PM

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Answer 1

iyacyas

Level 4

1,536 points

Sep 27, 2009 7:49 PM in response to mhc_99

You are absolutely 100% correct in what you say...

The power adapter will auto sense and adjust to the correct voltage, for lack of better terms. They will only need the adapter to plug it into the power source.

Now here's the bad news... If something goes wrong and their Macs gets messed up, even if it's not from bad power... Well, they're gonna to put a price out on your head, since you told em' that it'd be "ok".

If they want to have more warm and fuzzies then have them purchase a converter! Here's the one that I used when in Europe, and of course I still had to plug the Macs power adapter into this adapter, but it made my wife happy! It also works in Australia...

http://www.travelonbags.com/pages/XXXXX/2000/2042.html

http://www.shoebuy.com/travelon-universal-3-in-1-converteradapterand-usb/217942/ 473626?cmmmc=dealtime-_-none-_-none--none

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Answer 2

mhc_99 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 28, 2009 1:01 PM in response to iyacyas

So you're saying that you plugged the mac into a converter not because it was necessary but just to avoid arguments?? Good plan while on a trip!

Thanks for replying and I'll tell my friends not to worry.

Marion

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Answer 3

iyacyas

Level 4

1,536 points

Sep 28, 2009 3:41 PM in response to mhc_99

Exactly... One must always evaluate and learn from their mistakes!!! Or you sleep on the couch fighting over cushions with the Dog.

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Answer 4

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Sep 28, 2009 6:27 PM in response to mhc_99

In the US, electricity is fairly "clean"--meaning the voltage doesn't fluctuate a whole lot as it enters your home. If someone visiting from Australia came here with their MacBook, all they would need is the adapter for their charger.

In other places, the electricity isn't necessarily as clean--the voltages can vary dramatically, and this has the potential to do damage to your computer, the charger, or both.

If you're unsure about how "clean" the power will be in these places, it'd be best to invest in a "Power Conditioner," just in case.

With that being said, I don't think you would need the power conditioner for either of these countries.

~Lyssa

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Answer 5

mhc_99 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 2, 2009 9:04 PM in response to Lyssa

Thanks for the information you two. I've told my friends not to worry so I hope I won't be in the doghouse when they gat back. I'm sure the macbook will be fine regarding the power and it's a good thing dingos don't eat computers!

I'm marking this question as Answered.

Marion

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Answer 6

iyacyas

Level 4

1,536 points

Oct 3, 2009 8:10 AM in response to mhc_99

As it may be true that Dindos don't eat computers I am pretty sure under the right circumstances, they may eat an Apple or two. LOL!

By the way if they were my friends I'd be insisting that I go with em'. To safeguard their Macs of course. A personal geek that they can take on all their travels, just in case their Apples need a good cleanin or two.

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