woliveri Posted February 9, 2006 at 02:26 AM Report Posted February 9, 2006 at 02:26 AM I'll be leaving for Shanghai next week to study at Shanghai Foreign language inst. and have the following question. I was in Home Depot today looking for a power converter so I can use my laptop in China. As I was talking to one of the reps he said some countries hold laptops on arrival and inspect the contents for any offensive material. Is this overboard or has anyone had this experience in China? Thanks. Quote
roddy Posted February 9, 2006 at 02:39 AM Report Posted February 9, 2006 at 02:39 AM They probably reserve the right to do so, but I've never heard of it actually happening. Will be very surprised if you have any problems. Roddy Quote
CoffeeRider Posted February 9, 2006 at 04:18 PM Report Posted February 9, 2006 at 04:18 PM Unless you really irritated the customs official I could never see them taking the time to individually inspect your laptop. One time my friend brought homemade blueberry muffins into the country. Also - Are you sure you need a converter? I am sure your laptop already has an external power converter (that big black thing or white, if you use an apple, that is attached to the power cord). Look at it and see what voltage it is rated to, I am guessing 120 - 220. If so you don't need a different plug. Quote
PollyWaffle Posted February 9, 2006 at 06:20 PM Report Posted February 9, 2006 at 06:20 PM won't happen, don't worry woliveri... unless you have mao's 'sex train' home movies, then you might be in trouble Quote
woliveri Posted February 11, 2006 at 02:28 AM Author Report Posted February 11, 2006 at 02:28 AM Thanks all for the replies. CoffeeRider, I have more than the laptop. I have an external Hard Drive which I'm bringing. Also, various other electronic devices (electronic dictionary, digital voice recorder, etc). I guess I should also bring a power strip? Is the plug configuration/orientation different from the states to China? Thanks in advance, Quote
imron Posted February 13, 2006 at 11:55 PM Report Posted February 13, 2006 at 11:55 PM Yes, and it's not just the plug configuration, there is also a difference in voltage, that will most likely fry any of your electronic devices if you don't use a converter. I believe the States uses 120V whereas China uses 220-240V. For more information, check here and here. With that last link, the picture on the right side of the screen is what the majority of plugs will be like in China. Quote
adrianlondon Posted February 14, 2006 at 12:06 AM Report Posted February 14, 2006 at 12:06 AM Most computer equipment and anything using a charger (such as digital camera, mobile phone) should work with either 110v or 220v. Check the charger or power supply to see what the input voltage range is. Things which use the voltage directly for power (ie high power stuff like TVs, air conditioners, kettles etc.) are usually designed for EITHER 220 or 110v. Quote
CoffeeRider Posted February 14, 2006 at 03:32 AM Report Posted February 14, 2006 at 03:32 AM You can just purchase a "surge protector" (that's what we call it in the states) in China for probably something like 8 yuan, maybe cheaper. I was able to use my existing digital camera battery charger, PDA charger, and laptop charger. I bought a cell phone over there so I didn't need to worry about it. The plug orientation is the same... well not quite. A Chinese plug has no holes in the two prongs like the US does. Quote
got_no_jaffas Posted February 16, 2006 at 09:30 AM Report Posted February 16, 2006 at 09:30 AM i passed through beijing customs this week with a laptop & portable hard drive & had no problems. my equipment uses the UK power socket & i bought a power strip here that has a combined 2-prong & 3-prong connection. the standard 3-prong socket at the conference centre hotel will not take the UK standard but the strip does. so no problems so far... Quote
atongchan Posted February 17, 2006 at 05:10 PM Report Posted February 17, 2006 at 05:10 PM on the external hard drive, be careful with that plug if it's from the states - i fried my plug in london thinking it would be like the laptop, camera, etc. ... the upshot was that i easily found a replacement plug there that can handle both 110-120 & 220-240, so much easier now in china... all the rest has been covered; nothing will be checked, unless you look shifty or nervous as you walk through the green channel... Quote
Navison Posted March 18, 2006 at 08:40 PM Report Posted March 18, 2006 at 08:40 PM Like most people hae already commented, you most likely don't need transformersand stuff. But if you do have something that is 110 only, and need a trnasformer, try this company. http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/ I used them form my move to europe, Delivery is fast and easy,a nd everything worked well. Quote
nephridium Posted March 19, 2006 at 07:11 AM Report Posted March 19, 2006 at 07:11 AM Back in 2000 my mini-notebook once got inspected in a German airport. I was kind of amused and waited for the connection flight anyway, so I asked them what they were looking for. They replied that explosives and drugs could be hidden in a notebook. Chinese airports seem to be quite safe - security officers there are not nearly as "jumpy". ;) Quote
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