Moving from USA to Germany, bringing laptop and printer?

Question

I'm moving to Germany, and I plan on bringing my laptop and my printer because they are both relatively new and I spent a good chunk of change on them. So would it be worth it to take them? Can I use them in Germany? Do I need anything special?

Answer 1

Germany 220 volts / 50 Hz AC vs. 110 volts / 60 Hz AC in the US.

Check you charger it should say something like "Input 100 - 240 V, 50 - 60 Hz".

For the printer the same thing. Buy a converter for your plug (flat-to-round). They are impossible to get in Germany as they sell round-to-flat to the Germans going to the US.

Answer 2

You will definitely need a plug adapter. The type of plug adapter you are looking for are Type C and Type F (For pictures of these see source below).

F is the most common - but one of each wouldn't go a miss and they are very inexpensive.

You may also need a voltage converter as in Germany the voltage used is much higher - 230v as apposed to the 120v in the States. Maybe someone with more knowledge of this could better inform you.

Edit:

If it says 'Input 100-240v" on them both, then all you will need are the adapters which I mentioned.

Answer 3

You'll need an adapter would be good to bring it cuz germans use another keyboard..

Answer 4

I agree with the adapter, which is easy to get and costs 2-3 Euros.

More important is the voltage, in Germany is 230V instead of 110 you have in US.

Laptops usually can work with both voltages, you should check your power supply unit. It usually says for which voltage its is usable. If for some strange reason it's not usablem you can always buy a new power supply for your laptop. It should cost around 50 Euro.

About the printer I'm not sure, as printers are usually not moved around the world like laptops are. Again, check the power intake. It will be written on there.

If it's suitable fine, if not, you might want to get a new printer here, because printers are quite cheap.

But if you definitely want to bring your printer, you can buy a

"voltage converter", it's available in well stocked electronic equipment stores, but it can be quite costly.

Answer 5

Modern consumer electronics can usually handle 110-240 Volts, so all you need is a converter for the plug.

One more thing on the printer, though: Check that it can actually handle the European type "A4" sheets, getting legal/letter format  over here is nigh impossible.

Answer 6

Your laptop shouldn't have a problem once you have a plug adaptor, because most laptops are able to support dual voltages. However you should check your printer before plugging in because if it can't handle the higher voltage you could burn it out (US = 110 volts ; Germany = 220-240 volts). If your printer doesn't have dual voltage then you will need a voltage converter (versus a simple plug adaptor). Plug adaptors are cheap, however transformers are large, clunky and may be expensive and vary depending of low or high wattage.

For a comprehensive good guide on using electrical appliances in Germany read:

http://www.german-way.com/electric.html

Viel Glück.

Answer 7

You need to check on the packages from Laptop/Printer, 110/220.

In Germany is 220. I have Laptops and Printers from the US they are 110/220. I'm using Adapter and I can plug it. There is any problems to use them overseas.

Answer 8

the voltage does not matter.you just have to buy a transformer once you get here...cost like 20 bucks at a thrift store.  converts from 220V to 110V..nothing special, maybe a different phone cord but they have these everywhere on the economy for about 4-6 euros..on a military installation they rip you off on these small important things.  but yeah bring them it will work here

Answer 9

You'll need an adapter since their electric outlets are different from ours. Otherwise, you're good. Enjoy Germany!