Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - traveling with a laptop in UK

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)

- - traveling with a laptop in UK (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/traveling-with-a-laptop-in-uk-209229/)

traveling with a laptop in UK

OK--I know most would say leave the laptop behind, but if I HAVE to take it (for business), what do I need to consider? I know there's the voltage difference, so I'll need a step-down transformer and the correct style plug. Also, am I right saying that the modem plug is different? But for that can I just go with an adapter? Anything else I'm forgetting (and please don't say just forget the computer!). Thanks!

Steve, how old is your laptop? Models that aren't more than 2 or 3 years actually have a dual voltage built into the charger. Thus, all you will need is the plug adapter. I found this out last year when I took my laptop to London. My computer worked just fine with just the plug adapter. Sorry I can't help you on the phone line...

Steve, I have taken my laptop to Australia, and have no problems with it. I posted this on the Australian board on dual voltage stuff, but it has notes on computers as well. Here's what to look for: First, check if your items are dual voltage. For instance, on my computer power cord, it says "100-240V~50/60Hz" This means it will work anywhere with voltage from 100 to 240 volts (US is 110, Europe is 220, and Oz is 240) and will work either electric cycle of 50 OR 60 Hertz (I may be wrong here on the terminology, but you get the gist of it). BOTH have to be mentioned for your item to be dual voltage. Some items have a switch from one voltage to another, and others just automatically do it. (check the power source or the body of the product for this note, I believe on computers, it's just "automatic") For anything that's dual voltage, you only need a plug adapter. These are cheap, typically only a few bucks at your local Radio Shack or travel store. (Magellans is a travel store with a good online store, and has everything you probably need). If your item only says something like "120V~60Hz" then you will need a converter or transformer. Again, I may be wrong on the terminology here since all my electrical gadgets were fortunately dual voltage, but this is what you will need to convert the electricity into the correct cycle/voltage. There are different types, so go into the store with a list of what you want to use it for. Some converters will only convert less powerful gadgets, while a computer may need a garguantuan (and expensive) transformer. As for the modem: A lot of the world uses an RJ-11 jack (what we use here in the states). In Australia, I ran into both the RJ-11 and another type of jack. I found the more "modern" the facility was, the more the RJ-11 was used. It's quite possible that the hotels in London will have the RJ-11 jack...either on the phone, or in the wall. I DO remember seeing another type of jack in london. Go to www.magellans.com (online travel store) and you can find the phone adaptor you need. Also, some phones are digital lines, which will fry your modem. Ask if it's an analog line before you plug the modem in. You can buy a digital phone wire tester, but I don't think it's necessary...just ask. I went to Australia, plugged my computer in, closed my eyes, turned it on and waited for it to blow up. I'm still here, so it turned out OK... Hope that helps!

As for laptops, look at the label on the AC power adapter. You should see something like: 110-220 V 50-60 Hz which means it should work anywhere in the world. If it has 110V 60Hz it will not work in the UK. Another alternative for the AC plug adpater (not converter) is to purchace a n AC cable to replace the one you have. You would probably need to do this in the UK. The standard phone connector in the UK is different that in the US. Check radio shack for adapters, also check the airport. Larger hotels may have the RJ-11 type.

The typical UK phone plug is different from the RJ-11 used in the US and most of the world. You can buy an inexpensive adaptor at most airport shops and, I think, Radio Shack in the US. Many London Hotel phones will have the RJ-11 "Data Port" so you might luck out. Digital phone systems are more common in the UK hotels than elsewhere so it pays to ask. I carry a little gizmo that checks the phone line for polarity and digital signal and also acts as a surge protector also. I think I got it from IGO.com When I encounter the digital phone system, I ask to use the fax machine connection in the office for a little while . . they will always be analog. If you use Compuserve, AOL or MSN you will be able to find a local number to call. Another option is the Internet Cafes that are all over. Hope this helps . . Rich

Hey Mike or Rich...thanks for a lot of the clarification. I am going to London later this year, and bringing the computer this time, so it's good to know some extra details. Do either of you know if about the digital and RJ-11 situation in Ireland (Republic, not Northern as Northern would probably be the same as England). I think they use the RJ-11, but if you guys know different, I'd appreciate the info.

Sorry . . can't help with Ireland (no dinosaurs died there . . or at least we have not found them yet!) Rich

THANK YOU!!!! You people have just saved me big bucks--first, the cost of a converter (my computer says 100-240V 50/60 Hz so I can just buy a plug or cord), and secondly the cost of a new modem (I believe the hotel said they're digital so I would have fried mine). And I hadn't seen the www.magellan.com site before, but I've already got a catalog on the way. Thanks so much for all of your input!!

Everything electric/phone, etc. in Ireland is the same as in the UK.