ashwin@gatech.edu (Ashwin Ram) (11/27/90)
I'm looking for a personal computer (preferably IBM PC, PC clone, or Macintosh) and a corresponding monitor which I will be able to use both here in the US (110V voltage, 60Hz line frequency, NTSC video format) as well as in India (220V voltage, 50Hz line frequency, PAL video format (same as Europe)). I can buy a 220V->110V step down transformer if necessary, but of course that will not convert the line frequency. I saw a PC clone for sale which claimed to be "110/220V switchable" (no mention of line frequency), which the saleman claimed would work fine. Since the video card is part of the machine, maybe that would also work. However, the salesman was less certain about the different video format and did not know whether the Goldstar monitor that came with this machine would work with the different supply (although the computer was switchable, the monitor did not say it was). I have not seen any Macintoshes with switchable 110/220V inputs. Does anyone know for certain whether these machines would work with a 220V/50Hz supply? If so, what should I look out for to make sure I get a configuration that will work? Will the computer and monitor both work? If not, can I buy the computer here and then hook up an Indian (or European) monitor when I get to India? Will I need a different video card? Can I hook it up to a TV set? What other options do I have? Any and all advice appreciated, especially from people who have successfully (or unsuccessfully) tried this themselves. Please e-mail me directly if you can, although I will watch the net for replies as well. Thanks a lot, Ashwin Ram <ashwin@cc.gatech.edu> College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0280
bosch@cs.utwente.nl (J. Christian A. Peper) (11/27/90)
Someone asked a question about switchable PCs/Macs. Well, I bought one 2 yrs ago while I lived in the US and now I am back in Holland, and it works great. What you have to make sure of is to look for a switch on the back (mostly) of the casing. It should be near the power connection, and should let you switch between 120/240V. It is a small switch (?) and simply slides from left to right and vice versa. Some computers also have self-switching powersupplies, but these will probably out of your budget anyway. You also might want to check inside the computer, and see what is says on the powersupply. On mine it says "switchable", which means that YOU (!) have to set the switch. About the monitor, this is alittle harder. I looked thru the manuals that came with it and it said that it needs to be done by "an expert" (I forgot how they said that...:-) But I couldn't wait for one, so I said 3 hail-mary's and took a screwdriver. Inside there was, on the side, and printout (you know the EE stuff with gates and diodes etc) and somewhere on there there was a little jumper that one could set. I set it in the 240V position, closed it up, prayed to god and turned it on....it worked. BUT.....You have to make sure, when you buy the monitor, to ask them if it can be used on 120/240V. (By the way, I had to put know plugs on the power cords as well...) Anyway, you got to remember 2 things: - powersupply either switchable or self-switching (locate switch) - monitor switchable and read manual. Then open up... Hope this helps. My system works fine, although the monitor makes a sound whehn it "fires up". It didn't used to make that sound, but I assume it is because of the new voltage... Chris. -- Christian Peper | The speed of light...If not instantaneous, bosch@utis15.cs.utwente.nl | it is incredibly fast! - Gallileo aka Dreams, aka Sexy Dutchman | Spaarnestr. 73; 7523 VK Enschede, Holland internet: 130.89.10.237 | voice: +31-(0)53-354614
hp48sx@wuarchive.wustl.edu (HP48SX Archive Maintainer) (11/28/90)
I recently posted a querry for color cards for the SE/30, but as I got very few responses I just try once more. So if you use a colorcard on a SE/30 please tell me about your experiences. I would also like the prices if available. This time I would like to get mail from people using bundled card/monitor packages as well. Also I would like to know if there is a 110V/220V switch on the back of the monitor that your graphics card was bundled with. Thanx in advance, -- ******************************************************* Povl H. Pedersen hp48sx@wuarchive.wustl.edu HP48sx archive maintainer
russotto@eng.umd.edu (Matthew T. Russotto) (11/28/90)
In article <499@mephisto.edu> ashwin@cc.gatech.edu (Ashwin Ram) writes: >I'm looking for a personal computer (preferably IBM PC, PC clone, or >Macintosh) and a corresponding monitor which I will be able to use both here >in the US (110V voltage, 60Hz line frequency, NTSC video format) as well as >in India (220V voltage, 50Hz line frequency, PAL video format (same as >Europe)). I can buy a 220V->110V step down transformer if necessary, but of >course that will not convert the line frequency. The Mac SE will work, as will the Mac II, IIci, IIcx, and IIfx (with corresponding monitors-- The 13" high-res RGB, at least, takes 50-60Hz, 110-220V). The video format is irrelevant-- as long as you aren't trying to recieve TV pictures on your monitor, or use the machine for video production. -- Matthew T. Russotto russotto@eng.umd.edu russotto@wam.umd.edu .sig under construction, like the rest of this campus.
phil@hansen.Berkeley.EDU (Phil Graham) (11/30/90)
|> In article <499@mephisto.edu> ashwin@cc.gatech.edu (Ashwin Ram) writes: |> >I'm looking for a personal computer (preferably IBM PC, PC clone, or |> >Macintosh) and a corresponding monitor which I will be able to use both here |> >in the US (110V voltage, 60Hz line frequency, NTSC video format) as well as |> >in India (220V voltage, 50Hz line frequency, PAL video format (same as |> >Europe)). I can buy a 220V->110V step down transformer if necessary, but of |> >course that will not convert the line frequency. All of the new IBM computers will work with either 110V 60Hz or 220V 50Hz power (or any combination of the above). As for PC clones... It varies by each company. If it has a switch on the back then it is easy.... Just switch it to the correct voltage (it will automatically work with 50Hz or 60Hz) I know some comptuers and monitor do not have an external switch but use a jumper in the PS to switch to the correct voltage. Make sure that any computer you consider has all of the proper agency approvals (FCC level 'B' for the US, VDE level 'B' for Germany and most of Europe). If you don't it may be illegal for you to transport the computer into the country that you are going... Phil