joym21

What type of converter is needed? I went to target & their converter says that I shouldn't use it for laptops - so I was just wondering what kind I need.

Also, just to clarify, if my electronic says that it's 120/220, then all i need is the voltage adapter correct? But if it's only 120, then I need both the converter and adapter?



Thanks for any help. It'll be my first time in Italy!!

adrienne

Most laptops come with a voltage regulator built into the power cord. It's that big rectangular thing in the middle of the cord. It regulates from 110 to 240 volts. If you have one of those then you only need the AC adaptor plug for Europe. If your laptop didn't come with a voltage regulator then I would contact Apple to get one.

iloveparis

Joy,

What Apple laptop do you have? On all my trips to France/Italy, all I needed was a the usual adapter sold everywhere. However, my new Apple Macbook powercord has a three prong plug that needs a different adapter. Luckily, I found one at BHV in Paris. I have not seen them in the US. If your laptop powercord has 2 prongs, you'll be fine, otherwise, check about the adapter. You will not need a converter. Apple laptops are all dual voltage.

joym21

I have a powerbook g4, and yes it's 3 pronged. so i'd need to find an adapter that 3 pronged for italy? so an grounded adapter?

iloveparis

Joy,
You will need the 3 prong adapter. If you visualize this, with the 2 prong adapter, there is no place for the cylindrical looking third prong to go!
When I got to Paris and tried to plug in my Macbook, I got a rude awakening! I don't know of a store in Rome like BHV.
When are you going to Italy?
Try an electronics store.

joym21

i wont be leaving until next week....june 13th
i can probably find one around here? im in san diego .. so maybe a radio shack or electronic store.. i hope!

also, im not sure if you'd be able to answer this. is there a lot of wi-fi hotspots in italy..or i guess in europe in general? b/c my hotel isn't wireless but id rather bring my laptop than have to use an internet cafe.

iloveparis

Joy,

Internet cafes didn't seem as convenient in Rome as in Paris. Try this for a discussion - and maybe a google search would help you find places.

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...4/r/4991025934

iloveparis

Another site that might be helpful:

http://www.wi-fihotspotlist.com/browse/intl/2000013/

joym21

thanks so much for your help!

cw

Joy,

If you don't find what you need look at www.magellans.com. They are based in California and I'm sure you have time to get a mail order.

Have a great trip.

ParisAmsterdam

I've seen plug adapters in Walmart
so they're easy to come by.

What you should also get is a travel
size surge protector. I picked up
one at a BestBuy last year and it's
very small. The brand is RocketFish.

http://www.jiwire.com lists over
300 wifi hotspots in Rome alone.

Have a good trip!

scrb

The third prong is for the ground.

I just used a regular two prong in and two prong out adaptor and it's fine. You don't get surge protection but I've been lucky so far.

When I stayed at an apt. in Venice last year, I found an unprotected Wifi network in the corner of the apt.

Signal was weak and it was slow.

This past week, I stayed at various hotels in Tuscany and Umbria, all offering free or paid Wifi access.

The paid Wifi was about as slow as the free one in Venice.

I wouldn't count on those free pubic Wifi spots in those listings.

If there is a free public spot, you risk hackers too.

shelly_m

Joy:

I don't know where you are staying in Rome, but I used this internet cafe (Called internet points in Italy) every day. It was very modern, clean, and had lots of computers. I bought a 3-hour card for 11E (IIRC), and I never once had to wait for a computer.

It's called Yex, and it's on the corner of Corso Vittorio Emanuelle II and Corso del Rinascimento (right across from a large church, whose name escapes me).

It was right in the middle of Campo dei Fiori and Piazza Navona.

noe847

Radio Shack has a great selection of adapters, btw.