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laptop use



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 16th, 2003, 06:05 AM
Jeanne J
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Default laptop use

I will be in Edinburgh for two weeks in Jan. I would like to use my laptop
while there. Do I need a converter, or just a plug adapter? If so, what
kind would I need, and does anyone know where I could get one? Also, I
would like to get dial in internet access. Is there a "visitor" type
account that I could get? Most of the accounts I have found require that
billing to a phone number, and as I will be at a hotel, the line isn't mine.

Thanks for the help.


  #2  
Old November 16th, 2003, 09:57 AM
Mike @ www.lefkada-homes.com
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Default laptop use

"Jeanne J" wrote:

I will be in Edinburgh for two weeks in Jan. I would like to use my laptop
while there. Do I need a converter, or just a plug adapter? If so, what
kind would I need, and does anyone know where I could get one? Also, I
would like to get dial in internet access. Is there a "visitor" type
account that I could get? Most of the accounts I have found require that
billing to a phone number, and as I will be at a hotel, the line isn't mine.

Thanks for the help.


Every laptop that I have ever come across had
a universal 110v - 240v power supply. The only
thing that you will probably need is an adaptor
to fit the plug, but it's difficult to give you any
advice when you don't tell us which country you
are coming from :-))

Mike.

--

Mike @ www.lefkada-homes.com
  #3  
Old November 16th, 2003, 01:27 PM
Jeanne J
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Posts: n/a
Default laptop use

oops! I am in US. Thanks, JJ
"Mike @ www.lefkada-homes.com" wrote in message
...
"Jeanne J" wrote:

I will be in Edinburgh for two weeks in Jan. I would like to use my

laptop
while there. Do I need a converter, or just a plug adapter? If so,

what
kind would I need, and does anyone know where I could get one? Also, I
would like to get dial in internet access. Is there a "visitor" type
account that I could get? Most of the accounts I have found require that
billing to a phone number, and as I will be at a hotel, the line isn't

mine.

Thanks for the help.


Every laptop that I have ever come across had
a universal 110v - 240v power supply. The only
thing that you will probably need is an adaptor
to fit the plug, but it's difficult to give you any
advice when you don't tell us which country you
are coming from :-))

Mike.

--

Mike @ www.lefkada-homes.com



  #4  
Old November 16th, 2003, 02:16 PM
Owain
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Posts: n/a
Default laptop use

"Jeanne J" wrote
| I will be in Edinburgh for two weeks in Jan. I would like to use my
| laptop while there. Do I need a converter, or just a plug adapter?

This depends on whether your laptop has a dual voltage power supply - check
its label.

You will require a "visitor to the UK" mains plug adapter which can be
obtained fairly easily in the UK from chains like Argos www.argos.co.uk
search for 982/7950 - Argos are on North Bridge, a few mins walk from
Waverley train station.

| If so, what kind would I need, and does anyone know where I could
| get one? Also, I would like to get dial in internet access.

Your modem must be BABT or CE approved for use in Europe, and *assuming your
hotel phone system has ordinary analogue phones* a UK type phone lead. Argos
have one 676/1006 but it's expensive for what it is; a better bet might be
552/0066 triple adapter which has two UK phone sockets (for the phone) and a
US style socket for the modem.

Note that US-style "RJ11" sockets are used widely on telephones in the UK
but they are not wired the same way. Taking the phone lead out of the base
of the phone and plugging it into the modem port on the laptop will almost
certainly not work.


| Is there a "visitor" type account that I could get? Most of the
| accounts I have found require that billing to a phone number, and
| as I will be at a hotel, the line isn't mine.

http://www.123-reg.co.uk/dialup.shtml

Please note: "dial up connection will not work if you withhold your
number" - you may have no choice over this if the hotel phone system
withhelds the number. Also check the hotel's rates for 0845 calls

Or chekc out www.net4nowt.com and look for 'unmetered' or 'pay as you go'
packages.

If you decide not to use dial-in access there is a big Easy Internet Cafe in
Rose St
http://www.easyeverything.com/map/edi.html


Owain

  #5  
Old November 16th, 2003, 02:42 PM
Alec
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Posts: n/a
Default laptop use


"Jeanne J" wrote in message
...
I will be in Edinburgh for two weeks in Jan. I would like to use my

laptop
while there. Do I need a converter, or just a plug adapter? If so, what
kind would I need, and does anyone know where I could get one? Also, I
would like to get dial in internet access. Is there a "visitor" type
account that I could get? Most of the accounts I have found require that
billing to a phone number, and as I will be at a hotel, the line isn't

mine.

Internet access in your hotel room will almost certainly cost you. Even if
you have an account with ISP, your access number, even if a freecall one
(0800, 0808 etc), will in most cases be charged. Cost varies so you'll need
to check with the hotel you'll be staying at. www.alphatelecom.co.uk offers
an internet service if you open an account with them (no UK landline
required). They'll give you either a 0800 or 0207 (London) access number.
It's charged at flat 1p per minute of on-line time. There are some hotels
that offer free net access in bedrooms, either wired or wireless. If you
have an account with some US ISP, they may offer a local access number in
UK. I've found nowadays most hotels offer a free PC or two in the lobby for
guests' use. Or just use an internet cafe (there are many).

Alec


  #6  
Old November 16th, 2003, 03:17 PM
Mike @ www.lefkada-homes.com
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Default laptop use

"Jeanne J" wrote:

oops! I am in US. Thanks, JJ


Aha !

In that case you may need something like the one at:-
www.maplin.co.uk Search for product code "DV95D"

Mike.

--

Mike @ www.lefkada-homes.com
  #7  
Old November 17th, 2003, 05:25 AM
Jeanne J
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default laptop use

Thanks, Mike. Do you know anything about the availability of dial in
internet access for visitors that don't have resident phone lines?
"Mike @ www.lefkada-homes.com" wrote in message
...
"Jeanne J" wrote:

oops! I am in US. Thanks, JJ


Aha !

In that case you may need something like the one at:-
www.maplin.co.uk Search for product code "DV95D"

Mike.

--

Mike @ www.lefkada-homes.com



  #8  
Old November 17th, 2003, 11:19 AM
Andrew
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default laptop use

Just get a WiFi card! There is wireless everywhere and its FREE!

Just walk around, and it won't take you an hour to find a free spot.
In fact I am in Amsterdam at the moment writing this outside the
Westerkerk drinking really strong coffee...




"Jeanne J" wrote in message .. .
I will be in Edinburgh for two weeks in Jan. I would like to use my laptop
while there. Do I need a converter, or just a plug adapter? If so, what
kind would I need, and does anyone know where I could get one? Also, I
would like to get dial in internet access. Is there a "visitor" type
account that I could get? Most of the accounts I have found require that
billing to a phone number, and as I will be at a hotel, the line isn't mine.

Thanks for the help.

  #9  
Old November 17th, 2003, 02:18 PM
Mark Hewitt
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default laptop use


"Jeanne J" wrote in message
...
I will be in Edinburgh for two weeks in Jan. I would like to use my

laptop
while there. Do I need a converter, or just a plug adapter? If so, what
kind would I need, and does anyone know where I could get one? Also, I
would like to get dial in internet access. Is there a "visitor" type
account that I could get? Most of the accounts I have found require that
billing to a phone number, and as I will be at a hotel, the line isn't

mine.

I visited Edinburgh last month and they have the same plugs there as the
rest of the UK so my laptop worked just fine.



  #10  
Old November 17th, 2003, 03:26 PM
newsgroup_account
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Posts: n/a
Default laptop use

I've used dialup access from hotels in the UK before, however I have a
phone number here that I could use to set it up. I'm not sure how
you'd do it without a phone number, unless you have friends or work
colleagues here who would be willing to set it up for you.

I have used my own laptop to download email from EasyInternet in
Europe - basically I was able to just plug in and do all my online
stuff that way, at the same rate that is charged for using their own
computers. This would probably be a lot cheaper and more hassle-free
than connecting through your hotel room, if there will be internet
cafes near where you'll be staying that offer the same service.

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