Can my son use his laptop in Italy?

Applying to College
1

<p>He’ll be studying abroad there this spring. The information he received from his program says that the students can only use computers with “internal converters.” </p>

<p>This is what they say:</p>

<p>"Laptops, digital cameras, video cameras and iPods can be used as long as they have internal converters and are used with adapters.</p>

<p>Adapters adapt the plug prongs from the American version (flat prongs) to the Italian standard (round prongs) in order to get the plug into the outlet. They do not convert electricity. Adapters are used on appliances with internal converters.</p>

<p>Usage of converters of electricity is forbidden because they will blow fuses."</p>

<p>My son has an HP Elitebook that we bought in 2009. He says, “None of the other students who are going seem concerned about this, mom!”</p>

<p>So, what’s the deal? Should we just regard it as a given that his laptop and the other students’ laptops have internal converter, and not worry? Or…?</p>

2

<p>I’m fairly certain he’d be able to use his laptop, it’s just some things (like playing certain DVDs) might not work…</p>

3

<p>An adapter is for the shape of the outlet, a converter is for voltage. Look on your son’s laptop charger. It’ll say something like “Input 100-240v” That means the laptop can accept anywhere from 100 to 240 volts. Standard voltage in the US is 120 volts, standard voltage in Italy is 230 volts. That means that as long as long as the charger can take 230 or more volts, it’ll work without a converter.</p>

<p>Most chargers can accept a wide range of volts, so you don’t have to worry about it.</p>

<p>DVDs are by region, so any DVDs purchased in Italy couldn’t be played on a US DVD player unless it was specifically multi-region. But many laptops have programs (or programs can be added) to circumvent this, so that’s not even much of a concern anymore.</p>

4

<p>Yes your son will be able to use his laptop overseas he may need a few adapters or a voltage converter. Check out this article on voltage converters and adapters should be a big help for figure out what you need and where to get it.</p>

5

<p>@OP,you’re not very smart,are you?</p>

6

<p>Yes. He can use it no problem. The computer has a “plug” – the plug actually consists of two parts – the part you plug into the wall and which leads to the converter, and then the part from the converter to the computer. Once in Italy he can buy the first part…to plug into the wall and up to the converter. </p>

<p>Voltage is higher in Europe so the converter will get a little hotter, but it’s not a problem.</p>