MacMost Now 725: Traveling With US Power Adapters

When taking your US Apple products to Europe, you only need to bring a simple and cheap plug adapter. The power adapters that come with MacBooks, iPads, iPhones and iPods are all universal adapters that work with 100V to 220V. There is no need for an expensive and heavy power converter.

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Video Transcript: Hi, this is Gary with MacMost Now. On today's episode let's talk about using Apple adapters while traveling outside of the US.
So today I am in beautiful Randers, Denmark and traveling with all my Apple devices, my iPhone, my iPad, my MacBook Air. So I've got these US adapters here. How can I use them here in Europe?
Well, actually these are universal adapters. They will work in the United States and in Europe. Now the way you can tell is if you look at the specifications on them, They will tell you that they work at 110 volts, which is the United States, and 220 which is most of the rest of the world including Europe. 
But, what won't work is the plug.  The plug is for US power outlets. You need a different plug to work here in Europe. And you will notice that even on these they come out so you can actually replace the tops here with one that is for Europe. You actually get the same adapter if you buy one here in Europe except that it has different prongs here to fit the power outlets. 
You don't have to buy a new one. You can just get an adapter. So this is an adapter that fits most European plugs, at least in the continental part of Europe and then I can plug in my Apple adapter in here. I can use that for my MacBook Air, and my iPad. These are really cheap. They only cost about a dollar, maybe two, if you order them in advance on-line through a site like Amazon. Of course they are a little bit more expensive if you buy them at the last minute at the airport.
Put them together and they are a bit unwieldy but the will work and they don't really weigh anything. 
Now the important thing is that you do not need to get a power converter. A power converter is kind of heavy and they are usually pretty expensive. They will convert 220 volts to 110 volts. The Apple part, the Apple adapter, already does that for you. You don't need to have a special power conversion. As a matter of fact most of your gadgets are probably this way. You just have got to check on the device. If it says 110 to 220 you know that it will work in Europe as well as in the United States.
So by just buying a few of these adapters I can use all of the Apple devices while traveling and it really doesn't cost me anything extra and doesn't add any real extra weight to my luggage.
I hope you found this useful. This is Gary at MacMost Now.

Comments: 9 Responses to “MacMost Now 725: Traveling With US Power Adapters”

Peter Williams

12 years ago

I always bring a US extension cord. One adapter gives me several places to plug stuff and the extension usually reaches the outlet that is always, even in the US, in a bad place.

Andreas Steinhart

How cool is this, I'm Danish and I live in Randers. Big fan of your show. :) Why are you in Denmark?

Gary Rosenzweig

So cool! Small world. I'm in Randers visiting family. My wife's family lives in and around here. Actually leaving in an hour to take the train down to Paris for the rest of my trip. I'll have a video from there by the end of the week if all goes well.

Nico Tigulis

Gary,

I bought a new Macbook Pro, 13" model, and I noticed that the power adapter is 65W and my old Macbook Pro, 15" model, has an 85W power adapter. My question is can I use my old power adapter on my new MacBook Pro and not hurt anything on the computer or battery. Thanks...

Yes. You can use it.

Thanks!

Robert Foster

Interesting. When inquiring at the local Apple store, they did not seem to be aware of this. It WAS a pressing question for travelers, but I have had no problems using my Apple products in Europe.

Blake

Nice Green Screen work...

Green screen? That doesn't explain all the people around me speaking French. :)

Comments Closed.

MacMost Now 725: Traveling With US Power Adapters

Comments: 9 Responses to “MacMost Now 725: Traveling With US Power Adapters”

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