So here I am, sitting on the plane, waiting for takeoff. No power points so no laptop once the battery is gone. No publicly accessible power points in the terminal that I could find, although I know there is one in TGI Friday's but I didn't fancy eating breakfast there.
We should start a campaign for public access to power points. Either that or hope they release that nuclear-powered laptop soon.
Campaign for publicly accessible power points
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I'll gladly join your campaign. I'm a bit miffed that my favourite weekend-laptop-cafe-sitting spot has no public power points.
Apparently they're working on alcohol-based fuel cells, though; perhaps then those free in-flight drinks will become even more useful.
There are some power plugs in planes, usually next to the exit doors [depending on planes of course], but it's always a little chancy to ask a stew [in your case] or a hostess to hook up your laptop. Charm counts, but timing too. So far, I managed around 60% success 🙂 In Boeings, plugs are the US type [flat pins and 110V] so be prepared 🙂
It's the same on most trains. It irritates me that the battery on my aging Tosh laptop dies about half-way through the Chunnel, and there's nowhere to plug in. Surely 220 VAC isn't that hard to make available on an electric train? Or is it a “Business class only” thing?
I suspect that on the Eurostar it's done deliberately, because they want to rent you a DVD and portable player for the journey.
damn…
i want a nuclear-powered laptop…
South West Trains have got standard British power points on their trains, or certainly used to at any rate. Next to the carriage doors there is sometimes a folding jump seat, and there's often one underneath it. On a couple of desperate occasions when I was losing batteries I'd charge my laptop or phone there – a Barbour or other overcoat folded over the knee conceals cables very adequately.
I already have a vodka-fueled blog, so i guess a gin-fueled laptop would be perfect.
Virgin trains also have powerpoints, it's true. But they don't go as far as SF.
The lack of power outlets is really an annoying thing, although a laptop with six hours of autonomy would do the job.
My IbookG4 lasts for 6 hours en it is mostly quite enough time for a trip.
anfesoft
Yep, God bless iBook battery life. It'll last the journey up to town, a meeting or two and the journey back down to Salisbury. But an international flight, particularly with delays, might be a different kettle of fish.
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