Adapter for Laptop in China
Jan 30th, 2008, 07:49 AM
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Adapter for Laptop in China
Hello All,
I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a trip to Beijing and Shanghai. I'm hoping to use my Macbook while there so I can blog and post photos and video during the trip.
I know that I'll need a 3-prong adapter for the input plug for my Macbook. Is this something that will be easy to find in China, or do I need to find it in the US before I go? Also, any idea where I can find one of these?
Thanks so much for the help.
Chris
www.chriswalbert.com
I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a trip to Beijing and Shanghai. I'm hoping to use my Macbook while there so I can blog and post photos and video during the trip.
I know that I'll need a 3-prong adapter for the input plug for my Macbook. Is this something that will be easy to find in China, or do I need to find it in the US before I go? Also, any idea where I can find one of these?
Thanks so much for the help.
Chris
www.chriswalbert.com
Jan 30th, 2008, 08:11 AM
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Right. I also travel with a Mac laptop, and sockets for three-pin US-style plugs are only to be found in the very newest of hotels, and still very rare, as are those taking two-pin plugs with one blade wider than the other (users of other chargeable devices please note).
Since there are three common plug types in China adapters are very widely available indeed, not only in high street electrical shops, but in every department store, and very cheap.
However, for three-pin plugs solutions may take the form of a trailing socket which is a little bulkier than you may care to carry. Although such an object is much more expensive, you might well consider purchasing a multi-converting device before you leave--one that will convert two- or three-pin US plugs to any of the three plug formats common in China (US style, European style, and Austtralian style, with occasional appearances of UK-style sockets to boot). This will give you maximum flexibility. Such devices are now common in in-flight duty-free magazines (sometimes but not always cheaper), and at airports (definitely more expensive).
I must admit I carry one of these devices everywhere now, and I'd shop for one of them before you leave.
Peter N-H
Since there are three common plug types in China adapters are very widely available indeed, not only in high street electrical shops, but in every department store, and very cheap.
However, for three-pin plugs solutions may take the form of a trailing socket which is a little bulkier than you may care to carry. Although such an object is much more expensive, you might well consider purchasing a multi-converting device before you leave--one that will convert two- or three-pin US plugs to any of the three plug formats common in China (US style, European style, and Austtralian style, with occasional appearances of UK-style sockets to boot). This will give you maximum flexibility. Such devices are now common in in-flight duty-free magazines (sometimes but not always cheaper), and at airports (definitely more expensive).
I must admit I carry one of these devices everywhere now, and I'd shop for one of them before you leave.
Peter N-H
Jan 30th, 2008, 08:47 AM
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You will see this wall plate at any Chinese hotel (even crappy local ones) - the upper right picture here:
www.kropla.com/china_power.htm
You do not need to bring any adapter as a regular 2-pin US plug will fit.
www.kropla.com/china_power.htm
You do not need to bring any adapter as a regular 2-pin US plug will fit.
Jan 30th, 2008, 10:00 AM
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I find it really helps to read the original query before replying to it.
This concerned THREE-pin plugs, not two-pin ones. The illustration in the link does indeed clearly show a common Chinese wall plate, and equally clearly shows that it CANNOT take precisely the kind of plug under discussion.
It equally clearly CANNOT take the kind of two-pin plug with one broader blade common on newer North American electrical devices.
So the advice given is not only irrelevant to the original query, but exceedingly unhelpful to everyone else.
North Americans in particular need to check their devices carefully before departure, not only for their adaptability to different voltages, but for the number of pins and blade type on their devices, and plan accordingly.
Peter N-H
This concerned THREE-pin plugs, not two-pin ones. The illustration in the link does indeed clearly show a common Chinese wall plate, and equally clearly shows that it CANNOT take precisely the kind of plug under discussion.
It equally clearly CANNOT take the kind of two-pin plug with one broader blade common on newer North American electrical devices.
So the advice given is not only irrelevant to the original query, but exceedingly unhelpful to everyone else.
North Americans in particular need to check their devices carefully before departure, not only for their adaptability to different voltages, but for the number of pins and blade type on their devices, and plan accordingly.
Peter N-H
Jan 30th, 2008, 10:08 AM
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The OP says "do I need to find it in the US". I assume he's from the US with a Apple power supply for the US market. That power supply has two prongs, and he doesn't need any adapter.
Didn't know PeterN_H is back terrorizing this forum once again.
Didn't know PeterN_H is back terrorizing this forum once again.
Jan 30th, 2008, 10:59 AM
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North American Apple laptops come with a three-pin plug on their main cable and have done for several years.
To be sure, the cable may be shortened and replaced with a two-pin adapter that forms one corner of the voltage adapter itself. While a clever piece of design, this is often hard to fit into the space available on desk-top power supplies (at better hotels) or wall-mounted sockets beneath desks, etc. and can case difficulties when travelling. If the socket itself is not a firm one, it has a habit of slipping out. Furthermore at cheaper hotels the socket is not always well-placed for the desk. Thus the three-pin full-length cable is a better bet, and having some kind of adapter adds to the choice of available sockets since no all plates have the full combination of types.
But this is neither here nor there. The aim is to answer the query, which says quite clearly '3-prong', and not to attempt to read the mind of the original poster, to tell him what he meant, nor to reply in a way that both flatly contradicts accurate information already given and misleads others.
As someone with devices made for the North American market you DO need to check your pin-type before departure, and cannot wander off to China fully expecting everything to work. And if you want to use a three-pin plug, as the original poster says he does, or a two-pin device with one broader blade, then you WILL need an adapter.
It's surely more important that this correct information be given in order to save many other travellers inconvenience and difficulty than that one individual's sensitive ego is so easily bruised that he feels 'terrorised' when he's corrected, and gets personally abusive.
This is no place for egos or personal retorts, or debates on other people's personalities, but for an exchange of helpful information on travel in Asia for the benefit of all readers. And if some regular posters here didn't treat it as their own private sandbox (as well as answering for more queries than those to which they actually know the answer) and indulge themselves in personal observations, some of us with detailed and accurate information to share would be more likely to share it more often.
Peter N-H
To be sure, the cable may be shortened and replaced with a two-pin adapter that forms one corner of the voltage adapter itself. While a clever piece of design, this is often hard to fit into the space available on desk-top power supplies (at better hotels) or wall-mounted sockets beneath desks, etc. and can case difficulties when travelling. If the socket itself is not a firm one, it has a habit of slipping out. Furthermore at cheaper hotels the socket is not always well-placed for the desk. Thus the three-pin full-length cable is a better bet, and having some kind of adapter adds to the choice of available sockets since no all plates have the full combination of types.
But this is neither here nor there. The aim is to answer the query, which says quite clearly '3-prong', and not to attempt to read the mind of the original poster, to tell him what he meant, nor to reply in a way that both flatly contradicts accurate information already given and misleads others.
As someone with devices made for the North American market you DO need to check your pin-type before departure, and cannot wander off to China fully expecting everything to work. And if you want to use a three-pin plug, as the original poster says he does, or a two-pin device with one broader blade, then you WILL need an adapter.
It's surely more important that this correct information be given in order to save many other travellers inconvenience and difficulty than that one individual's sensitive ego is so easily bruised that he feels 'terrorised' when he's corrected, and gets personally abusive.
This is no place for egos or personal retorts, or debates on other people's personalities, but for an exchange of helpful information on travel in Asia for the benefit of all readers. And if some regular posters here didn't treat it as their own private sandbox (as well as answering for more queries than those to which they actually know the answer) and indulge themselves in personal observations, some of us with detailed and accurate information to share would be more likely to share it more often.
Peter N-H
Jan 30th, 2008, 12:31 PM
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Hi, cwalbert!
Have you tried your Apple store?
If not, if you have a Sharper Image near you, they sell a kit of all kinds of adapter.
Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it too much. rkkwan's picture is about what you will see.
Years ago, in Hong Kong, I bought one of those nifty cubed things that could adapt to all kinds of plugs. Carried the bulky thing around with me for many trips and never once used it.
Many hotels are prepared for their guests diverse needs. I can't advise you to take a chance, but, personally, I wouldn't be too concerned - especially if you are going to Beijing and Shanghai and out into the toolies.
Have a great trip!
Hi, rkkwan - enjoying your trip reports very much!
Have you tried your Apple store?
If not, if you have a Sharper Image near you, they sell a kit of all kinds of adapter.
Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it too much. rkkwan's picture is about what you will see.
Years ago, in Hong Kong, I bought one of those nifty cubed things that could adapt to all kinds of plugs. Carried the bulky thing around with me for many trips and never once used it.
Many hotels are prepared for their guests diverse needs. I can't advise you to take a chance, but, personally, I wouldn't be too concerned - especially if you are going to Beijing and Shanghai and out into the toolies.
Have a great trip!
Hi, rkkwan - enjoying your trip reports very much!
Jan 30th, 2008, 01:35 PM
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Remember, if you use the standard cheap 3 to 2 prong converters, there will be no ground in the connection. The third prong on these plugs are there for a reason, as are the wider flanges on one side of the plug for the 2 prong. You have been warned!
That said, I have used those cheap Chinese adapters for many years with no issues.
It was always the HK plugs that bothered me. You have to carry around a HUGE adapter with you everywhere just to be able to plug in your laptop or phone charger.
That said, I have used those cheap Chinese adapters for many years with no issues.
It was always the HK plugs that bothered me. You have to carry around a HUGE adapter with you everywhere just to be able to plug in your laptop or phone charger.
Jan 31st, 2008, 04:38 AM
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An adapter wouldn't be difficult to find in Beijing or Shanghai, and it would be cheap -- but it would take time to shop for it. If you have a few spare moments before your trip to China to hop to the Apple store and pick one up, I would do that. I speak from personal experience -- I once spent half-a-day looking for an adapter in Paris (not difficult to find, but required a special trip).
rkkwan -- I agree!
rkkwan -- I agree!
