Do I have have to have a voltage adapter as well as a plug adapter to use my laptop in the USA?

I purchased the computer while on vacation in the UK and will be bringing it home to the US. I have a plug adapter, but it does not convert voltage. Do I need to buy the expensive world adapters that also convert voltage, or will just a plug adapter work fine?

Look closely at the fine print on your laptop’s power brick. It will almost certainly say something like
“Input: 100-240V, 50-60 Hz”

This means anything from 100 to 240 volts, and anything from 50 to 60 Hertz AC. Which means that yes, you can power it directly from North American wall sockets without a voltage adapter (i.e. a transformer). All you need is the plug adapter.

It’s a lot easier for laptop makers to build these universal power supplies than it is to build and stock different supplies for different countries. This way the only thing they have to change is the cordset.

I and many other travelers do it the other way all the time. My US-bought laptop works fine with just plug adapters all over the world.

btw, in case you were wondering, the “100 volts” as a possible input voltage is for Japan – normal wall socket current in Japan is just 100V.

eBags Universal Plug Adapter

2 Pcs Black Travel Adapters AC Power Socket US EU to AU Plug $0.00

Lot(2) RCA Plug to 6.3mm (1/4″) Jack Mono Audio Adapter $0.00

Travel European AC Plug Power Jack Adapter for Apple EU $0.00

USB to US Plug Charger Adapter for iPod Touch iPhone 3G $0.00

1pc 2.1mm CCTV DC Power Male Plug Connector Adapter $0.00

US AC Plug for Apple iBook/MacBook Pro Power Adapter $0.00

Male 2.1x 5.5 DC to 2 Pin US Plug AC Wall Power Adapter $0.00

EU UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTOR PLUG: US/ UK / ASIA TO EU $0.00

7inch 7″ Google Android M.001 M001 9V Mains AC Adaptor Power Supply UK Plug $0.00

US USA TO EUROPE EU TRAVEL PLUG ADAPTER Converter New $0.00

Waste King L-2600 Legend Series 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Operation Waste Disposer $154.00 Finish/Color Options:Silver Waste King Legend Series L-2600 1/2 HP Fast and Easy Mounting Stainless Steel Grinding Components Safe for Properly Sized Septic Tanks Vortex Powered Motor…

GE MSWF Refrigerator Water Filter …

Koolatron Multi-Purpose Adapter 110AC to 12 Volts DC ( Model AC-15) $29.99 Power your Koolatron(r) Cooler/Warmer at home or office with this AC Adapter. For use with all Koolatron(r) 12V Coolers and warmers and other 12V items. Over-load and over-charge protected….

Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preamp $41.94 Why should you bother with a bulky interface, when all you want to do is plug a single microphone into your computer? With a Blue Icicle in your arsenal, you can turn any microphone into a totally streamlined, USB-ready recording device. Instead of lugging around some fancy rack and a bunch of outboard gear, just toss an Icicle and a mic in your laptop bag, and take your studio straight to the sou…

Philips Norelco G370 All-in-1 Grooming System $25.99 G370. 7 piece grooming kit for unlimited style options. Full size trimmer; mini shaver; hair clipper; beard & moustache trimmer; nose, ear & eyebrow trimmer; precision trimmer. Sharper than titanium (compared to the leading titanium trimmer). Most versatile grooming system. Complete Control: Unique accucontrol system with flexing guide comb automatically follows exact contour of your face. 9-Locki…

Omron BP760 7 Series Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, Gray/white, Large $45.99 With ComFit cuff – fits both standard & large arms. No. 1 doctor recommended brand. Clinically proven accurate. The 7 Series monitor provides you with comfortable, accurate readings by ensuring you are using a cuff correctly sized for you. ComFit Cuff: Using the right size blood pressure cuff helps ensure accurate readings. Over 40% of Americans require a large-sized cuff. The patented Omron ComFi…

Duracell Value Charger With 4AA Pre Charged Rechargeable Nimh Batteries, CEF14DX4 $16.48 Charges 4 AA or AAA batteries at one timeLED to indicate charge statusCompact size is great for travelCharge plugs directly into wall with no cord necessary…

Italy Adapter Plug B $3.75 Adaptor plug changes your appliance plug to fit Italian outlets……

Lewis N. Clark Grounded South Africa Adatper Plug $7.99 …

Samsonite Luggage Universal Power Adapter $30.00 Engineered for Global Travel…

European to American Outlet Plug Adapter $3.99 Use European plugs in American outlets with this plug adapter. The adapter is designed for use with the VersaCharger Pro.

Black US to EU Plug Adapter Travel Charger $3.14 This is a black US to EU plug adapter travel charger. Charge your electronic devices while abroad with this US to EU adapter plug.

Black AU/ US to EU Plug Adapter Travel Charger $2.99 This is a black AU/ US to EU plug adapter travel charger. Charge your electronic devices while abroad with this AU/ US to EU adapter plug.

American/ European to Australian/ New Zealand Outlet Plug Adapter $1.99 Use American/European in Australian or New Zealand outlets with this plug adapter. The adapter is designed for use with a wall charger.

Sony Audio Plug Adapter $4.49 Sony | Universal Stereo 3.5mm Mini to ?” Headphone Adapter

White LED Light GU10 to E27 Plug Adapter $4.99 This is a white LED Light GU10 to E27 plug adapter. Increase your lighting options with this light bulb adapter.

White GU10 LED Light to GU53 Plug Adapter $4.99 This is a GU10 to GU53 white plug adapter LED light. Increase your lighting versatility with this light bulb adapter.

SYBA SY-ADA20083 USB 3.0 Plug Adapter Type A to A M/ F $7.49 This is a SYBA SY-ADA20083 USB 3.0 Plug Adapter Type A to A M/ F

American to European Outlet Plug Adapters (Pack of 2) $5.49 A converter plug designed specifically to convert American adapters with flat pins to fit European outlets with round pinholes. This device only converts the adapter and does not convert the voltage on the appliance.

BasAcc Universal to UK Plug Adapter $2.99 Universal receptacle accepts most of the plugs

European to American Outlet Plug Adapter (Pack of 2) $4.99 This converter plug is designed specifically to convert European adapters with round pins to fit American outlets with flat pinholes. This plug only converts the adapter and does not convert the voltage on the appliance.

SYBA USB 3.0 Plug Adapter USB 3.0 Type A to USB 3.0 Micro B M/M $10.99 This is a SYBA USB 3.0 Plug Adapter USB 3.0 Type A to USB 3.0 Micro B M/M

SYBA USB 3.0 Plug Adapter, USB 3.0 Type A to USB 3.0 Mini B 5-pin M/M $7.49 This is a SYBA USB 3.0 Plug Adapter, USB 3.0 Type A to USB 3.0 Mini B 5-pin M/M

SYBA USB 3.0 Plug Adapter/ USB 3.0 Type A-USB 3.0 Type B M/M ADA20086 $9.49 This is a SYBA USB 3.0 Plug Adapter/ USB 3.0 Type A-USB 3.0 Type B M/M ADA20086

BasAcc 3-piece USA to UK Converter Travel Plug Adapter $5.99 Grounded Universal to UK Adapter Plug converts the shape of any of the major plug types to the UK plug shapeUniversal receptacle accepts most plugsFits most foreign outlets, but does not convert electricity / voltage

Black US/ EU to AU Plug Adaptor Travel Charger $1.99 This is a black US/ EU to AU plug adapter travel charger. Keep this compact charger handy to charge your devices while abroad.

Symtek WP200 Worldplug Universal Travel Adapters (Pack of 2) $18.49 The Symtek WP200 is a lightweight, compact plug adapter designed for easy storage and portability. This travel adapter features a built-in fuse to protect your mobile electronic devices against surges and spikes.

Symtek WP200 Worldplug Universal Travel Adapter (Pack of 4) $25.99 The Symtek WP200 is a lightweight, compact plug adapter designed for easy storage and portability. This travel adapter features a built-in fuse to protect your mobile electronic devices against surges and spikes.

Sony MDR-NC7 Noise Cancelling Headphone $34.49 Sony MDR-NC7 Noise Cancelling Headphone

Alesis DMPhones Headphone $26.99 Alesis DMPhones Headphone