Yes, David, as you say this is similar to other laptop setups that use a similar figure-8 shaped plug (called duck-head plugs or IEC-C7 plugs) to connect to the power brick. For example, the cord that IBM ThinkPads use from the outlet to the power brick can be plugged into the Apple power adapter just as the extension cord can.
The nice design part of the pull-off plug on the Apple power adapter is that the pull-off plug makes a nice rectangular form if you travel only with the power brick and not the extension cord. On North American and Japanese two-prong, parallel-blade plugs, the metal blades just flip down into recesses when not plugged into the outlet, so the block retains a nice, rectangular profile with no protruding plugs. I've heard that some travelers pull off their extra adapter plugs from the Apple power adapters for laptops, iPod chargers, etc., and use them to plug their other electronic accessories (for digital cameras, etc.) that also take IEC-C7 plugs for more compact traveling with fewer cords and attachments. Of course, this only works for devices that have power supplies that can handle variable power voltages and just need the right form factor plug shape -- since this arrangement could burn out electronics that need a transformer for specific voltage. Cheers, Esther On Jan 28, 2008, at 03:38AM, David Poehlman wrote: >this is not a lot different from the usual laptop setup except apple put a >twist at the block end on it. > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Esther" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac OS X by >theblind" <[email protected]> >Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 9:07 PM >Subject: Macbook Power Cords [was Re: question for a friend extra power >cordwith his macbook?] > > >Hi Hank, > >The power brick for the MacBook can be plugged directly into an outlet. >However, there's a longer power cord that can plug into the power brick >and act as an extension cord. > >The part of the power brick that has a flip-down plug can be pulled off, >and you can plug in one end of the long power cord into it. That >cord is thicker, and more durable, and it also gives you a longer range >from outlet to your laptop. > >The switch-out plug ends on the power brick are an interesting design. >Apple sells a travel adapter kit with "plugs" for the end of the power brick >that can match the outlets for different countries. So if you have a plug >adapter for the U.S., you can switch it out for an adapter that works for >the UK. Similarly, you could use a long power cord with a plug for >a different country with your power brick. > >Hope this makes sense. > >Cheers, > >Esther > >On Jan 27, 2008, at 03:56PM, hank smith wrote: >>hello my friend doesn't have internet access he wanted me to post this >>his macbook came with 2 power cords >>the one that goes in the wall and another cord. can any one tell me what >>this is? >>he said it looks like you can plug another adapter in to it. he showed it >>to >>me and I have never seen anything like it. >>thanks >>Hank >> >> >> >> > > > > >
