US to HK voltage

Sleuth · 02-05-2006, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Christine_168:

I too have a similiar question. I want/need to bring my laptop over, but I don't know if this qualifies as a "small appliance". Can I get a converter for it?

If you have a Dell there should be a switch on the back that converts from one voltage to another.

KnowItAll · 02-05-2006, 07:23 PM

>> Anyone who is moving have small children? We have a 2 1/2 year old boy

Lots of playgroups being organized on http://www.geobaby.com

Sleuth · 02-05-2006, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by mander:

My husband and I are also moving to HK from the US (Michigan) in June/July and have been wondering the same things. We are selling our house and storing most of our stuff. Have heard same as above that it's not worth blowing the appliances.
Anyone who is moving have small children? We have a 2 1/2 year old boy and I am anxious about moving and would love to meet some new people who are in the same situation.

We are moving from Atlanta in the late summer/early fall and we will bring our 3 or 4 month old. Haven't decided where to live yet, going to come out again in late July so my wife can see the choices. Going to be there for 5 years +/-. Have you seen Geobaby? There are a lot ofplaygroups out there.
As we have probably too much furniture (although some village houses out in the NT are rather spacious), too many clothes and other things we will be storing a lot for the duration.
Penguinsix is right on about the size of the rooms and the appliances. Even in the big village houses you might not be able to install large, US appliances.
One more thing, ovens are rare. Appeared as if the newer places tended to have them, older places did not. And didn't see too many 4-burner stove tops. (Guess that was 2 things.)

Donosti · 02-05-2006, 08:11 PM

My husband is moving in June and my 3 year old son and I will be probably there in September. Going thru the same stuff right now that all of you. It is tough to sell everything you own for nothing. The company won’t pay for relocation and we are probably staying for 5-10 years... so storage is not an option.

mander · 02-05-2006, 08:18 PM

What about printers and scanners. I have a nice photo printer and scanner that I really want to bring.

We are going to live in Parkview. Went for our recon trip in March and saw about 25 apartments. My husband is working in central and we liked the location of Parkview. It's a bit isolated but felt like a resort and has onsite grocery and preschool.

I did check geobaby about playgroups and didn't see any for older toddlers yet. Will keep checking though.

penguinsix · 02-05-2006, 08:55 PM

Sorry for the confusion on laptops. Laptops are generally ok to take over (unless it is really old and you are planning on replacing it anyway). Almost all laptops can work in HK. Look on the little black box on the power cord and you will see a number of what voltage that black box can accept (110-220). It will be a range. You will just need a convertor plug (not a voltage convertor) to make it work.

99% of all laptop cords are a standard power cord (i.e. it has a plug that goes into the wall and on the other side a "figure 8" looking thing or a blocky looking thing). You can goto nearly any computer store in Hong Kong and replace that cord for about $5 US (take the rest of the black box if you are unsure). This is much safer than using a plug convertor that you buy for $1US nearly anywhere in HK.

If you wish to watch HK or Chinese DVDs on your US laptop, you will need to ensure that the DVD is set to Region 0 (i.e. everywhere) or your laptop can handle multiple regions (i.e. download VLC player before they make it illegal).

Christine_168 · 03-05-2006, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Sleuth:

If you have a Dell there should be a switch on the back that converts from one voltage to another.

Yes, I do have a Dell. (Inspiron 5100 = love) Where is this switch you speak of?

KnowItAll · 03-05-2006, 02:22 PM

Isnt the Inspiron a notebook? Look at the fine print on the power supply if it is a notebook .. you'll see that the power supply can handle 110-220 volts automatically.

Christine_168 · 03-05-2006, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by KnowItAll:

Isnt the Inspiron a notebook? Look at the fine print on the power supply if it is a notebook .. you'll see that the power supply can handle 110-220 volts automatically.

Yes it is... and I just looked at the back of the adaptor and it says 100 - 240 V

Still will need to replace the part of the cord from the adaptor to the outlet though, to fit to HK outlets...

Thanks guys!

Sleuth · 03-05-2006, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by Donosti:

My husband is moving in June and my 3 year old son and I will be probably there in September. Going thru the same stuff right now that all of you. It is tough to sell everything you own for nothing. The company won’t pay for relocation and we are probably staying for 5-10 years... so storage is not an option.

The company is moving you about as far away as you can go and isn't paying for that? Wow..... Guess I will stop complaining.