adaptor for laptop computer cord

If you plug in only 2 prongs of a 3 prong plug (either in the US or in another country), you are making a grounded appliance ungrounded. It will work, but you are defeating a safety provision of the device. Yes, you can get three prong plug adapters. Unfortunately, while the 2 prong adapters work all over continental Europe, the 3 prong adapters are often country-specific. Here's a link to an Amazon dot com page, with an adapter that works in France, Germany, and many (but by no means all) other countries: http://tinyurl.com/agnw9hg If you want to see pictures of the different kinds of plugs around the world, look at this: http://tinyurl.com/32g3xtt. France uses type E, and Germany uses type F; many plugs (like the one sold through Amazon above) are combined E/F. But Italy, Denmark, and Switzerland, to name 3, have unique 3 prong plugs.

Hi Slyvia - it will be the same situation as if you did this at home. You can use that adaptor, but the laptop will not be grounded. Yes, you could buy a three prong grounded adaptor, which would then enable grounding. Just like at home, you would then have to use an outlet that accepts the three pins; you will see both 2 and 3 pin outlets. If it were me, I would bring both a 2 prong and a 3 prong adaptor, since they take so little space. Enjoy your trip!

We have a computer with the 3 prong and have just used a two prong adaptor with no problems - in Europe, England and New Zealand. I wouldn't worry about it too much

Sylvia, The Plug on my Netbook is also a grounded model, and I prefer to use it with grounded Plug Adaptors when in Europe. Plug Adaptors are not large or heavy, so it's not a problem to pack along several which will cover most situations. THIS Model should be the correct one for France. While it is possible to connect grounded appliances using only a two-pin Plug Adaptor, as Harold mentioned this is defeating some of the safety features of the product. There's a reason a grounded plug was attached to that particular product. Happy travels!

If you are staying in older accommodations you might still encounter the old French two-prong outlets. The new French plugs won't fit so you need an old adapter, easily purchased. Another useful aid in such circumstances is a short extension cord since the outlet may be inconvenient to the table where you will use the laptop.

I have to admit I never saw a laptop power supply with an grounding pin in europe. Im just curious if this laptop is very old?
Usual today is a completely isolated switched mode power supply in a plastic box. The grounding pin is just useful when there are metallic surfaces on the power supply. If thats not the case you dont need to worry about anything.

Good call Martin. Note that the cord from the power supply to the computer only has two conductors! However, you are lacking surge protection. But if you don't use a surge protector at home, you're no worse off in Europe.

The power supply for my Toshiba Netbook IS a switched mode power supply and DOES have a grounding pin on the input. I haven't seen a schematic for it, but there must be a reason that a grounding pin was specified in the design? I don't find it a problem to pack along a couple of grounding Plug Adaptors. Cheers!