Power adapter / inverter

[tdog1925]

I have recently purchased an Acer TravelMate 2700 as a desktop replacement. The battery life of this notebook is only 1 to 1-1/2 hours. My son would like to be able to use the computer to watch DVD’s when we are on the road for trips of 5 or 6 hours. Will a power inverter work while the car is running and if so, what size (wattage) would be required? In the notebooks manual, it states that this model has a 130W power supply. Any help / suggestions are appreciated.

[TripleRLtd]

Welcome to Windrivers tdog.
Something rated at about 200 watts contiunuous should suffice. Like this:
http://www.dcacpowerinverters.com/itemdesc.asp?CartId={EACF2AED-F70A-46D7-858E-504FE68DD38EVEREST1}&ic=AED200

[MobilePCPhysician]

Welcome to Windrivers tdog.
Something rated at about 200 watts contiunuous should suffice. Like this:
http://www.dcacpowerinverters.com/itemdesc.asp?CartId={EACF2AED-F70A-46D7-858E-504FE68DD38EVEREST1}&ic=AED200


Dead link...

[TripleRLtd]

Sorry:
http://www.voltageconverters.com/inverters_110v.html
Of course, you can go for one with a higher rating, too. Then you have more options tdog.

[DonJ]

If you don't want to wait for online deliveries, you should be able to find this at your local Wal-Mart:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1818511

Description

- Provides capacity of 350 watts at 110VAC (700 watt peak output)
- Connects to the cigarette lighter receptacle in your vehicle or clamp or direct-wire to your vehicle battery
- Soft Start Technology (SST) gradually increases output voltage to protect appliance circuits and to start devices that have motors
- Low-voltage protection
- Short-circuit protection
- Noise Free technology eliminates radio buzz and TV static
- Low-battery alarm sounds if your battery discharges down to 10.6 volts

Costs $44.78.

[Archer]

Have you considered provided the cost is not prohibitive to you,purchasing a dedicated DVD player for the car whilst not as cheap as an invertor it would be easier to use and give less wear to your laptop?

[TripleRLtd]

Walmart is an alternative. After the hurricane, I got mine at Lowes. So, the recommendation is what you wanted tdog, now you have plenty of them. ;)

[tdog1925]

Thanks for the replies. TripleRLtd, I went ahead and ordered the inverter. I had considered the portable DVD, but, I don't make the long trips very often and I hate the thoughts of having to pack something else.