2007-02-26 04:52:12 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Check that your phone is GSM compliant. Most modern mobiles are tri-band so that they work in Europe, Asia and the US - but it's still worth checking. Also check with your provider that the global roaming feature is unlocked before you leave the US - that can sometimes take a few days for them to unlock.
It's worth noting that global roaming is quite expensive, as they charge at the highest rate. Also, if someone calls you, they pay to reach you in the US and you pay for the international part of the call from the US to wherever you are in the world - so be wary about using it too much whilst you're abroad, if you're on a budget.
For accessing power in the UK, it's twice the voltage than in the US (I think) so make sure you buy a proper converter in the US before you leave - as a lot of the electrical suppliers in the UK only stock plug adapters for European plugs to UK specs. If you buy one that doesn't reduce and regulate the power output correctly, then you may end up frying the mobile and/or laptop when you plug it in. I did that to a CD player I bought in the US a few years ago.
With your laptop in particular, if it's a large and prominent brand, try to buy a manufacturer's power converter - as global laptop manufacturer's tend to build the same machines and just supply different transformers to the appropriate market.
Happy travels.
2007-02-26 05:14:35 · answer #1 · answered by ClaudeS 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To use your phone, contact your provider to open up an account that will allow you to use your phone overseas. You will not be able to make calls out form Europe unless you have it activate for European servers (T-Mobile is the best supplier in Europe).
Make sure you buy power adapters for all chargers, hairdryers, etc. They do have different outlets but you can find adapters at Target or Wal-mart. If you can't find one there, try Home Depo. or Radioshack. Also, this is not a promise that the power will not process correctly. My mom used her curling iron in Ireland, and it heated up too quickly, and she lost some bangs in the incident. So a surge protecter may be a caution, especially for your laptop.
I hope this has helped you and that you have a good trip!
2007-02-26 13:00:48 · answer #2 · answered by Mo K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to use ur phone it may be cheaper to get a temp phone from the uk instead of the us and also for your laptop go to radioshack and get a travel transformer/adaptor pack.
2007-02-26 13:02:39 · answer #3 · answered by S A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋