mac ibook power requirements and camping

Warek - most 12v car adapters for the iBook (like those from McAlly, etc) are more expensive (as far as I've found) than a 300W modified sine wave inverter - which you can use for other things too. Some will say that you shouldn't put a laptop 240v adapter on to a modified sine wave inverter (claiming that it's bad for the electronics) and these people, in my humble opinion - are wrong. I've run my G4 PowerBook off one for years.... on dozens of trips away. It still runs just fine. Best thing - you can pick them up for around the $50-60 mark in most places like SuperCheap and Repco.

If you prefer - you may want to go for a pure sine wave inverter, and these can be bought off eBay at around the $240 mark for a 500W job - and less for a smaller one.

Cheers
Chris

Warek, have you considered the use of one of the small selectable output switch mode supplies that plug into the lighter socket. I use one for my IBM laptop.
An inverter for this application is a bit like a sledge hammer to crack nuts in my view. Cost for small switch mode laptop power supply about $30 on Ebay. An inverter 300 watts pure sine wave $250.

Ken

There are 1000's of post on this topic already - do a search.

General answer is to use a Kerio (or similar) laptop plug in inverter that universally inverts to your lappys voltage. If you use a general 300W inverter etc.. you will need a pure sine wave inverter (more expensive) - or you will risk computer damage - also there is an overhead of at least 1-2 amp's using such inverters (to run fans etc...)

-myfourby

I've got a 15" powerbook i take around the place with me and i've found a 150w inverter has been fine. have used it for years with no problems. i've used it while stationary as well as while driving. I also use it to charge the ipod, camera batteries etc. it was around $70 which is about the same price as an ipod cig charger and i can get a lot more use out of it.

I have powered my G4 Powerbook via a MODIFIED SINE WAVE inverter and have had no problems.

Just looked at the plug pack for my power book - produces 24 volts at 1.875amps - roughly 50 watts of power when you allow for inefficiencies.

This correlates with the power consumption I measured when I tested what the inverter was consuming to run the computer:

Charging alone, computer off was about 3-4 amps
Computer on was 4-5 amps
Playing a DVD was 5-6 amps - remember this will be your highest energy consumption wth the processor, DVD drive, screen and speakers all working at once...

Personally, I think the inverter is the way to go - means you can charge lots of things, and not worry about buying multiple 12 volt adaptors for what are now becoming disposable items - would need to buy a new 12 volt adaptor every couple of years as you buy new computers, cameras, GPS, phones, etc, etc, etc...

Cheers
David

There are plenty of people in the portable power industry that will tell you that running a laptop from a modified sine wave inverter intermittently is fine, but there is a risk that running it for extended periods will eventually damage the battery pack. Try here and here (look for Appliance and Load under Product Navigation). I'm sure there are people that have had problems with batteries ceasing to work and others that have had no problems, but the experts (I'm not one by any stretch of the imagination) advise intermittent use only or you may damage the battery packs. I know of a couple of people that have stuffed battery packs, and some that havn't. How much for a new battery pack, then just weigh up the risks.
Andrew