Empower work-around?

Are you unable to use the A/C power adapter? What is an "empower cord?"

Empower is seat based DC +12V that some airlines offer. Allows you to plugin your laptop in your (usually first or business class) seat on the plane.

1) no, there isn't a owrk around besides buying a second battery

2) Why does your laptop only run for 2 hours - are you doing simulations or something!?

Actually, there is a work-around. Simply buy a power inverter that has an Empower plug. I ordered the Xantrex XPower Pocket Inverter 175 for my MacBook.

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/186/p/1/pt/32/product.asp

You can pick it up at your local Radio Shack for $70, but it's much cheaper online. I've seen it at Amazon for around $40 and Buy.com for around $30. Sorry, I don't have the direct links handy.

There are two versions, 100 and 175 watt. Those numbers refer to the maximum output, which can only be sustained for 5 minutes. The 100 watt version can actually only sustain 80 watts continuously, so you definitely want the 175, which sustains 140 watts continuously, since the MacBook requires 85 watts. It supports both Empower and cigarette plugs. There's also a USB port, which is useful for charging other small devices.

MacBook Pro 2.0GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Actually, there is a work-around. Simply buy a power
inverter that has an Empower plug. I ordered the
Xantrex XPower Pocket Inverter 175 for my MacBook.

Have you actually tried using this on an airplane? I flew business class to Europe last year and picked up a power inverter with an empower plug, and as soon as I plugged it in, the green power light on the in-seat outlet turned off. I assume the inverter was drawing too many amps. I had a charger for my Palm Pilot that worked fine...

Have you actually tried using this on an airplane? I
flew business class to Europe last year and picked up
a power inverter with an empower plug, and as soon as
I plugged it in, the green power light on the in-seat
outlet turned off. I assume the inverter was drawing
too many amps. I had a charger for my Palm Pilot that
worked fine...

Actually, I have not. I'm in Thailand right now, and I had to leave before the inverter arrived. The Thai Airways flight I was on had power outlets that accommodated standard wall plugs, so the inverter wasn't even necessary.

What brand of inverter were you using, and what is the power rating?