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Im looking at hauling my new laptop Dell along to use as dvd player in the car on a few trips.
Ive read about the nifty inverters that convert 12 vDC to 115v AC so I can just plug my ac cord into that to power up the laptop. It takes 90 watts to run the laptop.
But there also is the DC plug that goes into the 12v car plug and thru a small box to bring that 12v into the laptop to run on it's 12v system. This type unit is nearly 3 times more expensive to buy.
Is there any problem I might anticipate with either choice? Do the AC inverters affect a laptop differently than the 12v system?

inverter style

auto adapter Dell this one also charges the internal battery but I wont need that option.

[clwilcox33]

I bought an inverter for my laptop. With the use of the inverter, you have more options to run other AC items if you ever need to. Either one will charge your battery in your laptop. I ran my laptop, which was a huge power hog, on my inverter for about 6 months before it got stolen with no issues from either. The inverter made a little buzzing sound that I don't think you'll get with the adapter, but it didn't bother me. Plugging your laptop into an inverter is no different than plugging it into a wall socket, at least not as far as the laptop knows. Just make sure you get one with enough wattage to exceed your needs. Remember, Max wattage, is usually the max wattage it can put out 5 seconds before meltdown.

[JimM]

We've used an itty bitty cheapo inverter for years and years. Before suv's with DVD's and LCD's, we ran a 9 inch TV/VCR and video games with it, now we get to run the builting plus a second system for the third row seat, usually the second system is a laptop with dvd player.

only downside is when you start the car, it usually kills power to the socket the inverter is plugged into long enough to trip it's internal breaker, so you gotta hit the reset button. The laptop, with it's battery, won't mind, just make sure you notice. Possible a newer inverter will reset itself.

[clwilcox33]

The inverter I have is pretty new. Never had a problem with it tripping the internal breaker on startup. Could also be that my Explorer might not cut power to the socket on startup.

[DjD]

I'm going to say it's a toss up, the inverter leaves you able to brew a pot of coffee if you want and the inverter is less expensive. The possible down side is you are converting 12v DC to 120v AC and that may be more of a draw to your Camaros charging system than the DC to DC power plug for your laptop.

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thanks guys just the input to mull over I was looking for.
I had an old Lind 12vDC to ac type converter from my old Dell laptop but the power end was changed and now it wont fit BUT I called Lind, they happen to be in Mpls, and they now have a new output cord that will fit my new Dell E1505 and still use the old Lind 12V converter so now it only cost me $14.95 for that. We dont have other 'things' to run in the car so this will suffice but those inverters sure look like the cats meow for a TV or other appliance. thanks again you gurus of elec. this is as much for the Tahoe and the trip we are taking this weekend as it is for the camaro too.