disappointment with J upgrade on QF 29

[FxTrader]

As for the laptop issue and its power supply....its a common issue and not only can the size of the power supply be the issue but also in the design with regards to the inrush current of the power supply when initially plugged in to charge the rectifier stage capacitors. Unfortunately you can't easily fix the poor design. Another thing, perhaps try to plug the power supply in without the laptop plugged in first. A last resort could be to run run the laptop without the battery attached but this could be risky if the DC power connector is not the reliable when moved around.

A lower rated power supply or simply an aftermarket unit may work better.

Damn.
My new HP Envy 17" has a 120W PSU.
Has not yet been in an aircraft.
Looks like a clear need to buy a less than 75W PSU unit for flying.
Could have been VERY upsetting.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[albatross710]

Damn.
My new HP Envy 17" has a 120W PSU.
Has not yet been in an aircraft.
Looks like a clear need to buy a less than 75W PSU unit for flying.
Could have been VERY upsetting.

Thanks for the heads up.

The key issue is the actual power requirement of your laptop, not the maximum rating of your power adapter. Looking at HP ENVY TouchSmart 4t-1200 Ultrabook | HP® Official Store that one came with a 65W power supply (yours is probably different). So even if you have the 120W PSU with you on the aircraft, it would still only produce the requirement of the laptop load. The features, extra memory, CPU size, screen brightness (plus everything else) is going to determine the actual power requirement. Just buying a lower rated PSU may not solve your issue.

If it was an issue, one strategy might be to work off battery power, then turn off the laptop and let it charge off the aircraft power.

 

[BadgerBoi]

HA! You're not the only one - I've even resorted to that for my bread roll as well...

Bit difficult for the OP as his meal wasn't heated properly anyway

 

[FxTrader]

The key issue is the actual power requirement of your laptop, not the maximum rating of your power adapter. Looking at HP ENVY TouchSmart 4t-1200 Ultrabook | HP® Official Store that one came with a 65W power supply (yours is probably different). So even if you have the 120W PSU with you on the aircraft, it would still only produce the requirement of the laptop load. The features, extra memory, CPU size, screen brightness (plus everything else) is going to determine the actual power requirement. Just buying a lower rated PSU may not solve your issue.

If it was an issue, one strategy might be to work off battery power, then turn off the laptop and let it charge off the aircraft power.

As an ex electronics engineer I do understand the issues.
I use a larger than standard 90Whr battery in the Envy 17".
Which charges very quickly with a 120W supply.
The issue is not the running demand so much but if the running demand plus the battery charge rate exceeds the capacity the power socket's inverter can deliver.
Better safe than sorry, so I will buy a less than 75W unit (which will limit the max amps the PSU can draw) so not to pop the inverter's protective circuit breaker, which can only be reset by ground crew.
I also carry 2 other fully charged 90Whr batteries so maybe just run on batteries.
As stated earlier, it is good to know this information as I was unaware there was such a low limit.
Or maybe I'm weird and one of the few to tote around a big 17" HP laptop.
Need 1920 x 1080 that I can see / read, so 17" it has to be.
Will do a few power consumption tests to measure the actual peak demand when running and charging a flat battery.

Like I said good information to know.
Would not want to get on with 2 flat batteries and plan to change them during the flight.

 

[Fifa]

OK, I accept the triviality of the butter issue.

I love hard butter.
Each to their own I suppose.

 

[muppet]

I think all those points are worthy of a whinge. I would whinge about them too.

But "feedback" to the company? No way.

I think sometimes we lose perspective. In the scheme of your life, this means nothing.

 

[Austman]

I underhand the OP (I think). It's not about 1 thing. But when a whole series of disappointments happens, there is a genuine problem.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Looks like it is 85 W (for the 15" Retina MBP). If 75 W is the limit, then I guess that one is my fault then.

First time I've heard of a wattage limit......where is it clearly noted there is a 75w limit?

 

[ashleyn]

To the OP, "I was very much looking forward to getting a bunch of work done during the flight", really ? You spent a heap of points to upgrade just to work ? Time to re-evaluate your priorities and your expectations I think. Hard butter is worth a complaint ? Seriously now.

 

[Sprucegoose]

To the OP, "I was very much looking forward to getting a bunch of work done during the flight", really ? You spent a heap of points to upgrade just to work ? Time to re-evaluate your priorities and your expectations I think. Hard butter is worth a complaint ? Seriously now.

Yes I know it is easy to be cynical....you and would drink and watch the flicks.

Cold butter....sit on it....

 

[albatross710]

First time I've heard of a wattage limit......where is it clearly noted there is a 75w limit?

Inflight Communications | Qantas

 

[richie9x]

Ideally most those should not happen. Maybe I am too tolerant but those issues don't seem all that bad. If they are important to you should really report or ask for assistance for any issues to them on the spot. The chances are they will be able to help you out then and there. While it is good to let them know about it through feedback it is harder to put right any issues you experienced that happened in the past.

For example with boarding you could have just asked the at the gate desk where is the business class boarding was. Chances are there was some sort of priority boarding perhaps and it just wasn't clearly marked. Likewise with express passes if you asked for one you would have got one. Granted you shouldn't have to ask, but if it is important then raise it then and there.

Likewise with the drink, they are there to serve you. They won't be offended or annoyed if you bring it to their attention, in my experience they be more than happy to put it right. Also with the meal if you tell the cabin crew they will usually try to bend over backwards to put things right. For instance I have had meals that were not good, I told the FA and they offered me the choice of another meal.

 

[Princess Fiona]

That things gross... had it out of SIN a few weeks ago and it was hands down the worst QF meal I've ever had. Half heated would have been even worse!

I've never tasted it but don't think I'd be game enough to try.
I refused to be taken in by the Neil Perry marketing spiel surrounding the Chicken Schnitzel sandwich at the QF tweet and eat last month.
As far as I'm concerned Chicken Schnitzel is what I order when I need to eat dinner at an RSL in the back of beyond with a limited menu and wines by the cask.
It's not a dish I would dream of serving anyone paying a five figure airfare

 

[FxTrader]

Inflight Communications | Qantas

Nasty that:

The PC power is configured to provide a maximum of output of 75 watts.

If the limit is exceeded by a user, which is possible on new version PCs the power to the user will be interrupted and can only be reset on the ground.

 

[QF1]

I hope you drank enough to drown these sorrows in J..Thats what I do...every mistake means more wine...and believe me it works!!!!

 

[JohnK]

OK, I accept the triviality of the butter issue.

I do not think this issue trivialises your concerns/feedback in any way.

Personally I think it is well written feedback and hope you get some sort of response.

 

[tuapekastar]

I do not think this issue trivialises your concerns/feedback in any way.

Personally I think it is well written feedback and hope you get some sort of response.

+1 to that. Copping all the issues on the same flight makes it significant as far as service expectations go.

 

[cirqueboy]

I recently downgraded to the 13" Retina MBP because 15" was just too heavy to lug around all the time and the power kept tripping in flight. 13" has a 60w power supply and I find at least so much lighter and easier to travel with.

 

[freepyjamas]

I do not think this issue trivialises your concerns/feedback in any way.

Personally I think it is well written feedback and hope you get some sort of response.

Actually, good on you going into bat against hockey-puck butter. Next on the list: tasteless honeydew melon, the filler of the fruit world.

 

[docjames]

Seems like QF29 isnt up to scratch at the moment.

Please send feedback, but on the boarding/drink issue, not the butter!

You might like to read this thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/open-discussion/i-can-see-why-qfi-50242.html