Originally posted by J.Scott If you are going to plug in your 110 V computer to 220V you need to step-down the voltage. Don't be fooled into just buying the adapter plugs that allow your straight-pronged plug to fit into the Euro outlets, you need a power converter. Check out stores like Radio Shack, or whatever they're called now. I got one there that has the multi-prongs and steps down the voltage. Also, make sure it has the proper wattage output to properly charge your notebook.
Maybe it's different in the US, but I would say don't be fooled in to buying an expensive power convertor as it's probably not required ...
I have done the reverse of this, travelling from the UK to the US (and UK to Europe) and all I've ever required is a cheap adaptor to allow me to plug in.
I don't believe HP, IBM, Sony, etc would build a different power supply for each country, it's a single unit they can ship anywhere and all they have to change is the lead.
I've only used IBM and HP laptops over the past 6 years and every one of their adaptors that I've had automatically accept either voltage and frequency without problem. If you have a look at your power supply it should state on it what it will work with, for example my current HP power supply has the following printed on it:
"Wide Range Input: 100-240v, 50-60Hz"