Laptop Power Options

[J Gontesky]

I'm looking to purchase a second AC power adapter for my IBM Thinkpad T42...I want to have one that I can just leave at home and another for traveling, but when I look around online, I'm seeing them go for around $50 or so which seems a bit steep.

I noticed some aftermarket products on EBay and am wondering if anyone here can vouch for the quality/safety of any of the aftermarket power adapters available there?

For instance, a couple available for around $20 w/shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AC-Power-Ad...ryZ31514QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-Power-Adapte...ryZ31514QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks.

 

[John Erwin]

I'm a firm believer in that you usually "get what you pay for". Unless you know for sure those adaptors provide good power and and are built well (ie they won't melt just when you really need one) than I would be a bit skeptical of them.

For a second adaptor, you might want to consider a model that will also allow you to plug it into a car as well; I personally recommend this method vs. using an inverter for your laptop. Of course those are bit more expensive than it sounds like you want to spend.

 

[Brandon Sullivan]

Although a little pricey.. Targus makes DC laptop power systems.. No inverting.. Just straight from your cig plug, or other 12v source, right to ur laptop.. General models handle around 70w.. They come with a lot of ends/adaptors so you can use on many laptops.. Nice pieces of equipment.. Silent, and work well..

 

[Mark Blue]

This post changed my way of thinking on powering laptops in a vehicle:

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showpost.php?p=144838&postcount=14

I recommend you peruse the whole thread by clicking the link in the upper right hand corner of the page, but after reading this I started researching DC Power Adapters and ended up buying one from the Lind website. I first bought one of their true sine wave AC inverters and I was happy, except when the car was idling it would start to alarm as if it couldn't provide power. If you stopped to fill up for gas you would have to power cycle it otherwise it wouldn't provide power thereafter.

Now I own a Lind DC Adapter and I couldn't be happier:

http://www.lindelectronics.com/cgi-...O1580-1258/dbx_gen_detail_Special_DC_Adapters

This device is ultra quiet, it never gets hot, it has a small footprint, and draws much less power (amperage) from the vehicle system than an AC inverter. It's basically a win/win for me in all aspects. It does cost more than your budget would seem to allow, but the previous post about quality (getting what you pay for) is so true though. Good luck with whatever you do.

Mark