Thinkpads Forum

Just looking into this ahead of time. I'm studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain and I believe they use 220v sockets. I looked on lenovo on the US site and also on the Spain site and other European countries. I couldn't find an adapter for 220v. Does anyone know where I should get one or what the deal is?

I also looked around the forum for old posts this is what I came up with:

thinkpads in flight: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=27830
thinkpads in europe: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=28411

Go to any 99 cents store and buy the converter plug. The adapaters are rated for 220.

Just checking I read in one of those threads not to buy the ones in Spain hardware stores because they're cheap. I don't want to damage my hardware.

I did see that it's rated for " 100-240 volt AC" but I don't know if that still is fine with that adapter or if I need something else.

You do not need a adapter. The AC adapter came w/ your x60s should work w/ 220V. Actually, most AC adapters that came w/ the laptop work within the 100~240V range. I had an "ancient" compaq. US model. I use it in China(220V). No problem.

You need something like this:



I bought one in Chinatown for 50 cents, used it in Europe and my ThinkPad was not damaged.

FredFromNYC wrote:You need something like this:



I bought one in Chinatown for 50 cents, used it in Europe and my ThinkPad was not damaged.

Exactly what I was saying.

When I was in barcelona, I stayed at a hotel that provided those things to their guest for free. It was cool plug too. it was round and covered the wall plug completely so you cant electricute yourself.

I apologize I just thought there was a solution that didn't seem as ghetto as this. I was just worried about my adapter pumping bad voltage to my battery.

dannyp wrote:I apologize I just thought there was a solution that didn't seem as ghetto as this. I was just worried about my adapter pumping bad voltage to my battery.

Your adapater is pretty sophisticated dont you worry. With its capacitors and transformers it would be highly unlikely bad voltage would get to your laptop. Especially because it is a step down adapter and im sure it has a processor inside it.

a processor? wow

The only thing additional I recommend (having travelled widely in Europe and England and using these adapters) is to plug the brick into the outlet via the adapter first. Assuming it continues to work (always has for me), then plug it into the laptop. It is purely a safety measure to ensure if something does go wrong, your laptop is not adversely affected. I have used these adapters from 1986 through 2005 with no problems. ... JD Hurst

Your adapter is designed to work on European power as well -- look closely at it: It says something like 100-240V 50-60Hz. You can get a cheap adapter at Radio Shack, in a drugstore, etc. Once you get to Barcelona, go to a consumer electronics store or to a department store like Corto Ingles and bring the cord for your AC adapter with you. Buy the same cord but with a European plug. Those are the cords used for boomboxes, electric razors, etc.

claudeo is right. I bought my x60s in the US a couple of months ago, and am using it in Norway now. An adapter like the one FredFromNYC mentioned works just fine, but buying a new cord is more convenient.

Where do you get the cord? Thanks for the help people

I assume you have the 2-prong cord and not the 3-prong. The 3-prong is much more expensive to replace. The 2 prong is very generic -- razors, boomboxes, camcorder chargers, etc. and even computers. Don't try to buy that cord in the US. Just by a cheap adapter. When you get to Barcelona head for the FNAC or Corto Ingles (everybody knows where those are), or check out the discount electronics and home electrical stuff shops in your neighborhood, where you might find a better price (or not). The exact same cord if sold for a computer will cost 3 or 4 times as much as when it is sold for an electric razor, so watch out. This will also be an excellent excuse to get someone to take you to see a different side of town.

From FNAC France, but it should be the same price at the FNAC store in Barcelona: 3.90 euros.

Thanks! Lots of help sir(s)!