Online Shopping

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

I'm a complete newb when it comes to online shopping.  I don't even have an Amazon account.  However, my wife does, and we are looking to replace the power cord on an old laptop.  A Sony VAIO.  Some deals seem too good to be true, but I don't know what I'm looking for...

 

What's up with these: 

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A1NSPW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1BJM5K0V3KXP1

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MT3FR8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1DXO2O1MQQUG

 

One costs $22 and the other is $8.  They look like the same thing to me.  Am I missing something?  

 

Help, please... 

[Diddums 4,346]

The cheap one will catch fire. I'm not joking either, there are thousands of reports of them overheating and combusting. I still don#t understand how, in 2013, in a world where Marijuana is considered dangerous, stuff like this is allowed to exist.

 

Clicky.

[Commander_Undies 618]

I shop on Amazon all the time. You get what you pay for. A $1 cord does sound too good to be true. Plus... there aren't that many reviews. Those 6 reviews could be by friends of the seller for all you know. I will always go for something with a lot of good reviews, not just a few. Especially if they aren't shipped from the amazon warehouse.

[BoroVC 37]

Be careful when looking at cheap products too because there is ALOT of cheap crap on the Internet coming out of China. Most of the time the sellers do their best to hide this.

Stay away from eBay... Just out of principle.

I fucking hate eBay.

[Commander_Undies 618]

Hey Boro!

[BoroVC 37]

Good day to you Michael *doffs hat*

:-p

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

I don't mind ebay.  I used to buy/sell a lot of stuff on there back when it was at it's height.  

 

But, thanks guys, I figured it was too good to be true.  

[Dr Diamond 407]

last time i bought a power cable off amazon it literally set on fire


sparked like a muther fucker, started to melt, caught on fire

[BoroVC 37]

I don't mind ebay. I used to buy/sell a lot of stuff on there back when it was at it's height.

I used to sell a lot on eBay too, but I got tired of all eBays bullshit and getting ass-raped with fees.

Amazon is a good place to buy but like I say, make sure you know where your product is coming from.

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

Anyone care to help me find a quality power cord for a Sony VAIO laptop on Amazon? 

 

The one that is listed for $22 dollars says "Sony" on it.  Is that not necessarily legit/adequate?  

[Commander_Undies 618]

I'd love to help, but I don't think computers are my expertise. Amazon however, totally down for any questions. 

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

Thanks, Mike.  

 

My wife's laptop has a lot of her personal memories on it.  Poems, pictures, things from college, etc.   Our dog chewed the cord in half a few years ago.  It's just been sitting in our basement.  I'd like to get it up and running for her as a little surprise.  It's a Sony VAIO, but I don't know what to look for specifically when I'm looking a quality/affordable power cord.  

[BoroVC 37]

You should do a search of the specific model number of the laptop on Amazon and make sure the listing shows your model number. As long as its got that you should be fine.

Post up the number here.

[Diddums 4,346]

You can also buy a multi charger and keep it forever. It'll be a bit more expensive, but it'll fit almost anything, so if you ever need it again, you won't have to spend more cash getting another specific one. 

[wapntake 23]

The cheap one will catch fire. I'm not joking either, there are thousands of reports of them overheating and combusting. I still don#t understand how, in 2013, in a world where Marijuana is considered dangerous, stuff like this is allowed to exist.

 

Clicky.

I completely agree, i use Amazon quite a lot and if i buy any electrical items i always check the ones with the most reviews, the saying " you get what you pay for " is usually correct in this instance.

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

Thanks guys. I'll look for the model number later.

I saw one of those multi chargers at Wal Mart for about 60. But thats a little more than I have to spend right now.

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

SONY VAIO

Model: PCG-9RFL

DC 19.5v

[deterioration 443]

Good luck on this. If all fails maybe try contacting SONY directly.

http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/index.pl

 

I'm sure it will cost an arm and a leg but...

 

I'm also thinking I had a VAIO laptop my mom has still I think, It's broken I believe, I'll call her later and see if she still has the cord. It might be compatible. Probably not but its worth a try.

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

^ Thanks a lot. 

[Diddums 4,346]

Don't bother contacting Sony, they'll rip you off six-love.

 

Just look at the voltage, amperage and plug size. The voltage has to be an exact match, the amperage can be up or down a bit (this only affects charge speed, but never go too high), and if the plug fits, it'll work.

 

Check out some charity shops, some have bins full of the things.

[deterioration 443]

 

The top image is the computer the bottom the charger.

 

Can you use the part number from your charger get the mm connection size and spec to see if they're the same or similar? I just searched PCGA-AC19V1 and was able to find an OEM one. If it seems compatible I can send it to you to see if it works...

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

I don't think she has the cord/charger  at all anymore.  I'll ask her when she wakes up (she worked last night).  I really appreciate your help, our wedding pictures are saved on there.  :\  

 

Where can I get the mm connection size?  It says, 19.5v but not the 3A part.  

[deterioration 443]

I don't think she has the cord/charger  at all anymore.  I'll ask her when she wakes up (she worked last night).  I really appreciate your help, our wedding pictures are saved on there.  :\  

 

Where can I get the mm connection size?  It says, 19.5v but not the 3A part.  

 

If you have the part number for the charger you can search for it. The spec will be included in the description information like in the link I posted for the charger I have. From what I can tell from the 3rd party replacements for your PC they are the same. Having your chargers part number would zero it in.

 

1/2 of me wants to just ask for your physical address to send you the charger but I really don't want it to burn your computer up if its not compatible.

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

Just PM'd you.  

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

If you have the part number for the charger you can search for it. The spec will be included in the description information like in the link I posted for the charger I have. From what I can tell from the 3rd party replacements for your PC they are the same. Having your chargers part number would zero it in.

 

1/2 of me wants to just ask for your physical address to send you the charger but I really don't want it to burn your computer up if its not compatible.

 

 

I got the charger in the mail today.  I was able to get the laptop to turn on, charge, and transferred the pictures to my PC.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH!  

 

I don't know how much we will be using the laptop, but I'm very appreciative of you helping us out.  Those pictures mean a lot to us.  

 

Now I'm going to reformat the laptop and see how it runs.  Maybe play some LoL on it, hahaha.