Power supply for Toshiba laptop

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

I have just bought a Toshiba Satellite 300D and want to run it off a 12v battery. I could use an inverter, but would prefer one of the Dick Smith or Jaycar DC power supplies. However, the Jaycar catalogue has the following dire warning:
"Triple check that you have the output plug connected with the correct polarity to suit your laptop....wrong way will damage computer...if unsure, seek professional advice""
So does is this really a problem, or are they just covering themselves?
Geoff

[sheeny (Al)]

I'd suggest you source a 12V air travel adapter for your lappy. Should be of the order of $20 to $40 online. You can't mess up polarity or voltage that way.

Al.

[JD2439975 (Justin)]

I have the Jaycar model MP3472 and all the various adapter heads have a pin so they can only be fitted one way around.
Works fine on my old Sony.

Probably just covering themselves with the warning.

JD

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Ive ran my 300a toshiba satellite on an old dick smith 150 watt inverter with no probs ....

Cheers Kev.

[alan meehan (Alan)]

i have just bought one of the 12v power supply from jaycar and plugged it to my toshiba ,you can only plug them in one way and it has been running for a hour and seems fine ,although the plug for the toshiba was not a real good fit but is working ok.

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Thanks for all the advice. I must say I got a bit of a surprise when I went to the Toshiba website and found they were selling the auto-air combos for $200+. The Jaycar/Dick Smith option is obviously a lot cheaper.
Geoff

[RobF (Rob)]

I took my lappy in to Jaycar with me, to make sure I got the right adaptors and a DC convertor with enough amps. Has been fine for a few long nights so far. Jaycar team usually very helpful and talk you out of doing anything risky. Anything with a DVD drive tends to need a bit more grunt - even if you hardly ever use, not good if the laptop suddenly calls for current that's not available (so I was told....)