220 to 110 converter

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Buying a laptop can be very expensive, but having it repaired can be even more expensive, what with replacing some of the bits and pieces worth a lot of money. If you want your laptop to last for a long time, then you need to protect it from the inside with a laptop surge protector.

A laptop surge protector is a device that makes sure that electrical surges will not damage your laptop. They are also sometimes called surge suppressors. A usual design of a surge protector is a long rectangular box that provides several outlets so you can plug in other electronic devices. But now you can buy one -made specifically for laptops, of course – that can be a small device you can plug in between the laptop’s adaptor and power cord.

An electrical surge means that there is an overflow of electricity that runs through the wiring. So, if your laptop normally runs on 110 volts, but you plug it in a 220-volt outlet, a circuit might be heavily damaged, if not burst, just like a balloon will if there is too much air blown in it. Blackouts also can cause electrical surges because the electricity rushes quickly back in once the power returns. Your laptop can be damaged with significant data loss, overheating, or it might just conk out altogether. Although some surges might not cause noticeable damages, it will wear down the components. This is where a laptop surge protector comes in. It works by diverting the extra voltage away from your laptop to another circuit so a constant and stable power supply will efficiently run your laptop without wearing it down. Although the adaptor helps in regulating the voltage, having a laptop surge protector is a guaranteed way in keeping your laptop safe.

Shopping around for a laptop surge protector is not that difficult because it is available in most hardware and electronics store. They can also be very inexpensive, with a price as low as $5. There are also some surge protectors that can be as expensive as $100 because of some extra features. But if you’re looking for a good deal, you might want to invest in a portable laptop surge protector so you can be assured that wherever you go, your laptop is protected from power surges. They can be especially handy when you have to use your laptop at hotels, where big equipment like air-cons, heaters, and elevators need regular power surges to keep them going.

With a cheap cost, you can definitely save more money because you don’t have to pass by a repair shop to have your laptop fixed. Having a laptop surge protector assures that you don’t have to worry again about power shortages or electrical surges that can break your laptop down

Image : http://www.flickr.com

The Laptop’s LCD screen has officially filed an immediate and irrevocable resignation. Replacing it with a new LCD screen is impractical as the costs will be almost equal to buying a new computer. That’s absurd, so what will you do? Turn the laptop to a desktop by installing an external monitor! Here’s how.

Get a desktop computer monitor along with a power cord. Typically, monitors come with a complete computer set of computers so direct-to-socket monitor power cords are quite uncommon. However, you can buy such gadget at a local computer store often for less than five dollars.

This allows you to plug the monitor into a power socket just like what you would with a regular TV. Be careful about the voltage ratings though. Check if the power outlet’s voltage matches your monitor’s. In the US, the typical output voltage of power outlets is around 110-120 volts. This number matters a lot since most of Asian-made monitors work at about 220 volts.

See if you will need to use some special transformers or adapters. However, most modern monitors work at a wide range of voltages that typically cover 110 to 240 Volts. But then, be careful by exercising due diligence.

Now that you have them ready, unplug everything first. Here is a step-by-step sub-guide on what to do next:

Plug the external monitor’s power cord to a power outlet.
Plug the external monitor’s video input cord to a port at the side of the clunky laptop. The cord’s end can either be plugged to a USB port or that dime-sized, trapezoid-shaped port with lots of needles. Just chuck it into the right spot. There is virtually no risk of plugging it into the wrong socket because if it you’re doing wrong, the ends won’t fit anyway. This is the time when we all love geeks.
Turn the monitor on, and turn the PC on afterwards. Voila!

Notes:

If you really are in an emergency, you also have the option to use an old computer chassis with a power supply that has a functioning output for monitors. It doesn’t matter if that computer doesn’t work anymore as long as the monitor the power outlet for the monitor at the back of the chassis is still operational. Plug the monitor’s power cord into the back, plug the chassis power cord to a regular power outlet and then go with step B and C. Voila!