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01-01-2007, 07:09 PM
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Group: Regulars
Location: NSW Central Coast
Posts: 33
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MacBook Pro Car Charger
Hi All,
Tried searching, and asked the local apple centre, to no avail.
Does anyone know of the availability of a car charger adapter for the MacBook Pro?
I was told that Targus are bringing one out, but i don't know when.
Thanks
Mike
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01-01-2007, 07:15 PM
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Regular
Join Date: Aug 2006
Group: Regulars
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 684
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dosent apple make one? or is it only for aeroplanes?
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01-01-2007, 07:40 PM
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Regular
Join Date: Apr 2005
Group: Regulars
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 405
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Apple one is just for planes.
There are some around with the old plugs for Powerbooks, Targus, Kensington as well I think but I don't know if they're going to upgrade it to the magsafe adaptor.
I think your best bet would be heading down to Dick Smiths and getting a generic adaptor that just lets you plug any Australia power plug in to it, just match the voltage/watts or whatever you need to match.  |
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01-01-2007, 07:50 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Feb 2005
Group: Banned Users
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 928
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Your best bet would be an Inverter. |
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01-01-2007, 10:08 PM
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Pimp My Title
Join Date: Jan 2004
Group: Forum Leaders
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,145
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Roughly a 150W inverter will do the job (the MBP puts out up to 85W, but you need a bit more + 200 - 300W surge), and once you get one you'll be able to run and charge other small electrical items in your car, such as battery chargers etc. They're very useful devices.
Running your MBP off an inverter is also much safer than using a basic notebook charger that runs off your 12V cigarette adapter, in terms of maintaining a consistent voltage and isolation etc. I wouldn't trust the 12V chargers at all for cars. Keep in mind however that the inverter does use up more juice, and you probably don't want to leave it going when the car's ignition is off, otherwise you'll have a nice surprise when you return. Having said that though not all cars have a constant 12V when the ignition is off.
Jaycar make a nice 150W inverter that's the same dimension as an aluminium can so you can fit it in your drink holder:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...Max=&SUBCATID=
JB |
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01-01-2007, 10:21 PM
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Regular
Join Date: Jan 2004
Group: Regulars
Location: Nimmitabel NSW
Posts: 464
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Didn't someone mention a Kensington one for Macbooks
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02-01-2007, 08:18 AM
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Group: Regulars
Location: NSW Central Coast
Posts: 33
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Thanks for the info Byrd and everyone else. I love geeks that know this sort of shit ;-)
Love being a geek too, even though my gf bags me abt it (while playing her DS Lite)
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02-01-2007, 02:25 PM
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Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Group: Regulars
Location: The Deep South, Sydney.
Posts: 886
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A Magsafe airline adapter might be worth considering if you are prepared to leave your engine running while you use it. I think you find that because Empower airline ports are rated at 15 volts, that it will not work in a car otherwise, because the the deficient voltage. A car's charging circuit voltage is 14.8 volts. The airport adapter will not charge your battery while the Macbook is being used. You could use it to charge your Macbook's battery while you drive.
Here is some buyer's feedback from the applestore.
Quote:
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ust got this and it does work in my car plug - although I wonder if there is a technical reason Apple says no???? And, the cost is ridiculous - As far as I'm concerned I bought the cable for about 20 bucks and simply donated 40 bucks to Apple - not to mention I have a useless Kensington now too. Enjoy your toys, and stock options Steve.
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Quote:
I just tested this in my car - a 2006 Honda Civic. It works fine and even shows a charge indication when the car is running. As soon as the car is shut off (but with the key still in acc mode) the charge indication does goe away.
The details are kind of vague, but 20mm connector does mean 'cigarrette lighter adapter.' So this will work on all American Airlines flights that have powerports at the seats. 95% of the airplanes have it either at every seat or alternating every three rows toward the back of the MD-80's and 737's at AA. Just ask when you check in, or go to seatguru.com to find the powerport seats.
Finally, I have the iGojuice and I much prefer this since it is far smaller. It's much easier to take with me. Thanks Appl
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Last edited by vicmeldrew; 02-01-2007 at 02:27 PM.
Reason: removed Applestore link- remembered they time out.
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02-01-2007, 02:48 PM
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Regular
Join Date: Oct 2006
Group: Regulars
Posts: 203
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vicmeldrew
A car's charging circuit voltage is 14.8 volts.
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Should be 13.8 actually, although may be as much as 14.4.
__________________
MacBookPro Penryn 15" | 2.5GHZ | 200GB 7200RPM HDD | 6GB RAM ( see here)
PowerBook G4 12" | 1.33GHZ | 160GB 5400RPM HDD | 1.25GB RAM
(also a g3 lombard, g3 wallstreet pictureframe, 3400, 180c, 160) |
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02-01-2007, 03:04 PM
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Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Group: Regulars
Location: The Deep South, Sydney.
Posts: 886
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Quote:
Originally Posted by themacuser
Should be 13.8 actually, although may be as much as 14.4.
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I think you are right actually, although will qualify that by saying that it is the float voltage of a fully charged battery. In my experience a wet cell needs to be charged to 15 volts or suffer premature sulphation and subsequent death.
Quibbles aside. the main thing is that the Airline adapter apparently works in a car socket within its specified capacity (either charge or use only- not both) with the engine running. |
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14-01-2007, 01:45 PM
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Group: Regulars
Posts: 1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by falacom
Hi All,
Tried searching, and asked the local apple centre, to no avail.
Does anyone know of the availability of a car charger adapter for the MacBook Pro?
I was told that Targus are bringing one out, but i don't know when.
Thanks
Mike
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We carry Macbook Pro car/airline charger! Several options to choose from. Kensington too!
http://Mikegyver.com |
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08-04-2007, 06:59 PM
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Regular
Join Date: Oct 2005
Group: Regulars
Posts: 315
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BUMP!
Has anyone actually got a 12v charger in captivity for a macbook pro?
I'm looking to do a long road trip and I could run my inverter, but it's a pain and they chew a lot of power. I think producing 100w is equivalent to about 10amps at 12v which is a big drain on the system.
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