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do Europeans need converters for the US?

My daughter is coming to the US from Amsterdam and bringing her new bought-in-Amsterdam laptop. Will she need a converter to use a US power source, or just a plug adapter? Thanks!

Posted by
19654 posts

All electronics these days are universal 110 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 HZ. She will need a plug adapter.

Posted by
7181 posts

She needs to look at the hard to read nameplate on the power “brick.” Almost certainly it says 100-240 VAC. Wouldn’t she know this about her computer?

Posted by
8889 posts

All laptop power supplies sold for many years (at least 5, probably 10) have been dual voltage, so no voltage converter needed.
Double check that the small print on the charger (not on the laptop itself) says "110-240V".

She will need a plug adapter, which are available in "all good travel or electronics shops".

Posted by
8094 posts

FYI--We just returned from Paris and found our easiest way to deal with tablets and cellphones is to buy an European 220 .to USB charger for 6 euros. Europeans would do well to do the same in the U.S. They are available in any Dollar General or Walmart store cheap.

Posted by
32173 posts

Kathleen,

Your daughter will need to check the "Input Voltage" specifications on the laptop charger / power supply. If the spec's state "Input 100 - 240 VAC, 50~60 Hz", then she won't have any trouble using it in the U.S. Is there any possibility you could ask her about that, and then post the answer back here?

Posted by
809 posts

Thanks to all for your responses! Turns out it's her camera she was concerned about, not the laptop... and she tells me she thinks it will be fine. As requested, I'll report back after our trip to family wedding in Utah and a few days in Jackson, Wyoming.

Posted by
32523 posts

A lot of cameras are pretty old school unless she has a really recent one. It is really worth her reading carefully the information on the charger block/battery charger, unless it is very recent and uses USB to charge.

Posted by
4535 posts

How does she charge the camera? Does it plug in directly or do you put the battery on a charger than plugs in? If directly, be sure to check the cord for a voltage conversion as noted in earlier posts. If through a separate charger, it almost for sure has a voltage conversion.

Posted by
219 posts

My camera is two years old and it charges through a USB connection to a computer or laptop. That should the same anywhere in the world.

Posted by
809 posts

Just closing the loop on this discussion. My daughter’s charger did have the notation “ 110 to 240 V” and everything went smoothly while she was in the US. Thanks to everyone for helping us to the right answer!