Thinkpads Forum

hi, guys

I just got my brand new x61, thinking about buying a power adapter that can be used in cars and airplanes. Lenovo recommends ThinkPad 90W AC/DC Combo Adapter, but it is a bit expensive at 119 bucks. I'm just wondering what you guys use, any recommendations?

By the way, there seems to be an alternative to adapters, which is called interters http://us.kensington.com/html/10359.html . It can avoid compatibility issues, but seems that it can only plug into car cigarette lighters, do I need to buy a seperate component to use it in planes? Anyone have experience?

You can't use inverters on planes. The planes barely put out enough juice for a laptop. Sometimes, if mine needs to charge while running - the airplane outlet shuts down and I need to pull the battery and reboot.

Targus has some good choices in addition to the IBM. DC only adapters are very small. AC/DC combos tend to be quite large.

I use one of the older Kensington adapters (33197) for in car. I've never had a problem with it. You can routinely find them on eBay for under $50.00. They do not come with the adapter for the T60/X60 series, but if you call Kensington they will more than happily mail one out to you free of charge.

Henry

awolfe63 wrote:You can't use inverters on planes. The planes barely put out enough juice for a laptop. Sometimes, if mine needs to charge while running - the airplane outlet shuts down and I need to pull the battery and reboot.

Targus has some good choices in addition to the IBM. DC only adapters are very small. AC/DC combos tend to be quite large.

The power adapter that came with X61 is 65W. I did some research and found the Empower connection that is available on most airplanes typically output 75W. Do you think running while charging the X61 will require more than 75W in some instances?
Which model were you using when you had that problem?
Thanks

T42 with a 72W adapter. 72W describes the output. Since the efficiency is less than 100%, input power can be higher. Also - it was some start-charging surge that would shut it down - once I was stably booted up on battery I could sometimes replug in.

Also - I have never had a problem on international carriers - just crappy U.S. planes

awolfe63 wrote:T42 with a 72W adapter. 72W describes the output. Since the efficiency is less than 100%, input power can be higher. Also - it was some start-charging surge that would shut it down - once I was stably booted up on battery I could sometimes replug in.

Also - I have never had a problem on international carriers - just crappy U.S. planes

Are Economy Class seats on most newer model planes equipped with Empower connection, particularly international flights? Since I don't see myself booking the First Class in the near future, it's kind of useless to buy an adapter if it can only be used in business class seats

Varies by airline and plane. For example many AA flights have them in economy. Check www.seatguru.com for info.

xmod wrote:Are Economy Class seats on most newer model planes equipped with Empower connection, particularly international flights?

Not on international flights. Usually Business and First Class only (but see below), if its available at all. Some international airlines also make it available in Premium economy class, if they provide that class (i.e. BA World Traveller Plus etc)

Empower is going out of favour in any case. Newer aircraft are likely to provide 110V AC at the seat, for those seats that they provide any at-seat power at all.

Also, the at-seat power supplies (of all types) are usually provided on a one per 2 or 3 seats basis, and are not specified for providing the maximum rated outlet power to all 2 or 3 seats, so if all the passengers in those seats decide they want to use at-seat power, the maxmum each can draw is less that the maximum for single outlet rating.

For instance you might find a 180W at-seat power Empower supply feeding three seats, which gives a maximum of 60W per outlet if all are in use, rather than the ~75W Empower maximum socket rating.

Confusing, isn't it!

Cheers,

Bill

You really do need to check the flight as I said above. For example, Delta supplies every coach seat on a 767-400 international but not on a 767-300 international.