HT201897: Mac mini: Power consumption and thermal output (BTU) information
Learn about Mac mini: Power consumption and thermal output (BTU) information
Q: Does a Mac Mini purchased in the USA require a power converter for operation in Europe or should I only purchase a different power ... more
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Jan 31, 2015 8:04 PMby K Shaffer,The kit for a world traveler has several different adapter plugs. However you may pay
less for a specific cord; perhaps an Apple reseller or AASP at destination, has one...
•Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support + replacement cord information.
Apple - Find Locations - Country Selector: find sales, service, etc by City/Country:
https://locate.apple.com/country - by product, shows a map w/ address + phone #s.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=apple+universal+travel+power+adapter
Some suggest an inexpensive adapter from ebay or elsewhere, that fits the original
cord to convert to local mains plug shape is all you need. This may be only a few $.
Since the power supply is internal and automatically adapts to the range of power
available, the most basic adapter is all that would be needed in most locations.
Good luck & happy computing!
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Jan 31, 2015 9:13 PMby alexandralaw,I purchased the adapter kit that Apple sells. It has been great for my ipad but I could not manage to find one of the adapters that would work for my Mac Mini which I now need to use as well. The only one that would work would plug directly into the Mini and directly into the wall without a cord, else I would need an extension cord which they say not to use. So now I am looking for where to purchase a 220 cord for the mini. Can't as yet find one. Any ideas anyone?
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Jan 31, 2015 10:54 PMby K Shaffer,HelpfulDepending on which European country (should their mains access plug/port shape vary) the
cord set with correct ends on it has to match. You can buy a cord that plugs into the Mini
where the factory cord goes, and the other end has one for the wall source shape. The wire
for the application should be able to support 110~240VAC.
With the cord or an accurate image in hand, you could either get a new cable to match both
realities (mini + wall supply mains local) or an adapter (US/Standard to EU/Local) for just
the head or input part of the original Apple cable. One plugs into the other, then into wall.
If you have a new Mini with a small modular plug/port on the computer end of the power wire,
it would have only two holes and no ground; the other end would have two prongs of equal
shape and size. Not a polarized plug and not a grounded three-prong. To get a replacement
power wire for the MINI to go from power source to the Mini is recommended, if you are going
to be staying in one location for awhile. A Travel Kit that offers no electrical conversion but only
the physical shape adapter kit, should a available in travel stores, airports; big box discount
stores, computer and electronic stores. This page shows the cord end of the appliance shapes.
The other end would be the mains shape for whichever country you are going to....
http://www.signalandpower.com/European-Power-Cords/
So to match the country or regional power mains type is a primary concern for obtaining the
correct replacement cord to supply the Mini with local mains power. The end which plugs into
the Mini is of a certain type (numbers for EU and elsewhere are published, see link + images)
& the end that gets plugged into the mains or utility side, needs to match the local specification.
The link to Apple, to contact for Support and Service information in prior post, should be able
to help find a source for the local replacement type cord they'd sell local people with a Mini.
Apple local sources offer replacements for this purpose; and for travelers, a second cord for
a direct use (not adapter plugs) is a better bet. For those who only need a cord in two places.
If you are traveling to Denmark, UK, Swiss or other EU countries require different adapters.
Even places where the power itself may be somewhat similar. However your MINI has an
automatic power supply that will conform to that energy standard, you only need to supply a
correct non-transforming adapter. Simply a connection to adapt one shape to another.
The general purpose travel kit that is not specialized to Apple power adapters, would have a
plastic plug/adapter with the local pins on one side, and the US/standard two slots on the other.
So, no circuitry nor any other change of electrical power inside this device would be required.
http://www.signalandpower.com/2-Prong-Plug-Adapters/
http://www.signalandpower.com/Convert-to-Europe-CEE-716-plug/
http://www.signalandpower.com/Swiss-AC-Power-Cords/
In other words, I believe my other post already covered this. On the ground on either end of the
path, adapters are common and the Mini does not use proprietary electrical components IF you
have one of the more recent shape aluminum models with the power supply built in. The older
Mini has the power brick and two wires. A US/Standard plug adapter to EU/Local would work in
either case, since all you'd do is plug the adapter plug into the local mains and the US plug into
that one... I see these kinds of discards for as little as 25¢ in thrift stores in Alaska. Or you can
buy a new one. Or you could get a complete cord with correct ends on it, for Mini + local mains.
Hopefully this helps somewhat. The only info missing is which EU country or region is involved.
Their shapes of plug are different, so the adapter end for local supply has to match their standard.
Swiss, Denmark, UK, and others offer different shapes and so on.
The Apple store in the location you are traveling should be able to supply you with a replacement
cable for a modern MINI, that has the correct local mains end, and the correct Apple mini end on
the opposite. Since the unit is automatically switching, the magic is done.
Since I supplied a means to locate any number of Apple stores, authorized service providers &
other Apple related vendors in my earlier reply: https://locate.apple.com/country you could contact
any of them along your route in the City in whichever EU country, to find a local MINI power cable.
In any event, I'm done...
Good luck and happy trails...
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Jan 31, 2015 11:57 PMby K Shaffer,The links to 'signal and power' site, one for cords and the other for plugs,
should be helpful to identify (product numbers and their shapes, etc). If
you have the original cord, then you are more than halfway there.
Given I have both a last model G4 MINI 1.5GHz with external power,
and a late 2012 model Mini with internal power supply, I'm familiar...
also over several years, I've messed with electricity and stuff.
If you enter a city and product into the above site link, it may show that
you may be able to locate an authorized service, sales, or independent
agent who could find the item(s) you need; but a simple plug adapter is
an item that need not be Apple-brand for the product to work correctly.
PS: Here's an example of entering a City/RU into the Russia Federation
Apple Locate page above, and the city is Moscow; product Mac:
https://locate.apple.com/ru/en/service/?pt=4&lat=55.755826&lon=37.6173
Hopefully you can get the simple part and perhaps a spare. Not sure
what the local mains cord end would look like, & it may not be EU.
At least here it's fairly simple. If you have the original cord, that covers
most of the issue. A fair electrician could do a hack and put a local plug
on the end of the original cord. But then you wouldn't have an original.
And the simple adapter does not require an electrician nor a hack...
Some may say with some historical accuracy, my location has
been referenced as Russian America. At least before 1867.
Good luck & happy computing!
Россия