what I did to solve this problem is I got one of these
Wagan 2221-6 Smart AC 150 USB Inverter

and I just carry my regular charger cable that has the wall plug and plug that into the inverter, this way I can use any device that has a regular plug in the charger and not have to have multiple cords for home and car. Works great. This one also has a usb slot in it, there are various ones some have an additional lighter hole in them etc.
I have used this thing so much since I got it.

What Ravencajun said :-)

Thanks. Does that Wagan work in planes too - or do I need a separate adapter to plug in the inverter (I think some planes have empower - don't know if this fits those ports)? I love the usb port - that will be handy.

How does that compare with this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SSJYJK/ref=s9_simh_gw_p263_d4_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0STMP5QQ8A8VEJ5ZEEY7&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Thanks.
Lynn.

Lynn that link you provided goes to the same link I provided did you mean to link to something else?
There are many many different brands of this type of product I have only used the Wagan brand and I bought mine at a Fry's store.
If the outlet is a cigarette style outlet it should work fine in it. And since she will be using her regular cord it should be plenty long enough.
Yes many things now use usb ports to charge them so that is handy.
I don't think I have ever used a charger on a plane so I really do not know but I bet someone will know that answer.

http://www.seatguru.com/articles/in-seat_laptop_power.php

there you go it tells you all the info on various plane charging options

Here is a link that might be useful: info

Thanks, Raven. I went to that seatguru guide - and it's fairly outdated which is why I came here. Most of the adapters they recommend aren't being made - or the links are bad.

It also seems as though the Wagan device is only good for the car - not the empower ports in an airplane. Now I still ordered one because it will be great for our car rides and allow my daughter to have all her entertainment (video, sims, itunes) on her laptop - and it can run from the cigarette lighter (and yes it would have a long enough cord then).

But I still need something that can be used in the plane. So I'm back to looking at the adapters that can be used with empower. I think we have 2 different needs - and need two different devices. The inverter for our more frequent road trips. And a travel adapter that can be used on this long haul to and from Vietnam.

The ones I did look at left me with some concerns - about compatibility, overheating, etc. So I was hoping for somebody more knowledgable to offer some guidance.

Thanks.
Lynn.

Lynn are you sure because I see this info about using an inverter which is what that wagan is with empower

Inverters: Another option is an inverter. This device converts DC Power (Cigarette or EmPower) into a standard AC Outlet. These devices do not require any special tips or extra adapters, but they can be bulky. Many users have noted they cannot always get these to work with the airline power systems (though they work great in a car). Kensington has a small inverter that provides higher power in a car and matches the 75W airplane EmPower port.

It may work, she can take it along and try it if nothing else.

Raven - I actually found that very confusing. They discuss the bulkiness of these devices - although the device does not look bulky when I click on the Kensington one they mention. It's also a lot more expensive than the Wagan you linked - and I wonder if this does more than the Wagan? It looks like a totally different kind of device than the Wagan. Not sure why they don't always work in a plane. And if this works, why would they recommend a much more expensive universal adapter?

I also asked a techy neighbor of mine - who travels a lot what he does. He said that finding power on coach isn't that easy - and even if they have it, it often doesn't work (I've actually seen that elsewhere). United claimed there were power ports in their seats - but I wouldn't bank on it. My neighbor doesn't even try - he got an ipad for 10 hours of entertainment - and a back up battery for another 10. That is not a route we're going to go to entertain my daughter on a trip to Asia.

Anyone have experience using a laptop on an international flight with United?

Thanks.
Lynn.

Here's another reason to avoid counting on Dell. I did order the ac/dc adapter they said was compatible with the laptop. It arrived - and was missing the actual adapter and ac plug. It had the car and airplane plugs. (I had a similar experience trying to order parts for them to add a firewire port to my Dell desktop. They couldn't figure out the right parts - and ultimately recommended and sent the wrong ones. Thanks to the Dell forums, somebody had discovered the correct parts. I followed their links and got the pieces I needed).

I called Dell - and now they say the replacement could take 2 weeks (I suspect it will be quicker - but that doesn't give me time to test it out. Good customer service would be to make a point of sending in 2-3 days when you botched an order to a customer.)

Lynn.

PS - I did buy the Wagan inverter and will try it on our car ride this weekend.

I personally have never tried the airplane outlets, I would think they would be iffy and of course only allowed during specific flight periods.
Not the first time I hear of Dell doing stuff like that, that is why I just no longer consider them.

I have had very good luck with the wagan, some of those inverters can get very hot, the one I have gets warm but not scary hot. When we were doing our real estate searches here I had my netbook plugged into it so I could look up house info while we were driving around. That was the main reason I bought it but have been very happy to have it since I have used it for various devices since. It is the only one I have used and that particular brand was what the man at Fry's electronics recommended as the best.
I do really like some of the ones that are made to fit in the cup holder, but I hate losing a cup holder.

I suspect it will be quicker - but that doesn't give me time to test it out. Good customer service would be to make a point of sending in 2-3 days when you botched an order to a customer.

That reminds me of a friend of mine who ordered some wine many years ago. There were several delays with shipment and company reps kept giving him the runaround so he finally got fed up and got the president of the company on the phone. "Sir, that's not the way we do business. You'll have your wine tomorrow." The next morning FedEx delivered the two cases of wine. Expensive bill for the company and this was not especially expensive wine either. My friend just couldn't find it locally.

I think you might be better off asking in some kind of travel forum for adapter suggestions and the use of chargers inflight. Some aircraft have the EmPower ports, others standard 110v, and still others cigarette adaptors. Since airlines are constantly upgrading aircraft and may even switch aircraft after you book your flight, you should be prepared for almost anything including the port closest to your seat not working.

Lynn I just saw this free program mentioned on a site and thought of you and that this might be a good idea with your daughter traveling with her electronics

Prey
"Prey lets you keep track of your phone or laptop at all times, and will help you find it if it ever gets lost or stolen. It's lightweight, open source software, and free for anyone to use. And it just works."

what is neat is you can even have it turn on the webcam/camera and you can see who has your stolen goods!

As it turns out, Dell did decide to expedite shipping so I got in time to try it. BUT - they sent the same incorrect item - just the empower and car plug - no actually adapter. Just absurd. Then they wanted me to call fedex to arrange a return. I emailed them that I wasn't taking any more time on them - and they could email me a label - which they just did.

I wound up paying for one-day shipping through Amazon to get a non-Dell adapter on the day or her flight(I have prime anyway - so it was just an additional $4. I bought 3 different adapters bc. there was no way to be sure which might work with dd's dell laptop (it's new enough that it's not specifically listed as a compatible laptop). Good thing I did. One item was not the appropriate item. One never came - and one arrived in a nick of time and seemed to be the right one - a Kensington car/air ac/dc adapter - that fit her laptop.

Raven - thank you for that link. Sounds like a great program - unfortunately they left on the 27th. But I may look for something similar for my smartphone. I think I already downloaded an app that does that for the phone.

Mike - I do know that there could be any type of plug (empower,car type plug or regular ac) - and that there may or may not be a plug - and it may or may not work.

Of course, neither my daughter nor husband has gotten online to email me that they've arrived and are okay. Guess I'll find out soon whether it worked.

Thanks.
Lynn.

that same app is offered in the android market so if your phone is android it is available.