05/12/97 NOW, YOU CAN PLUG IN A LAPTOP--ON A PLANE

NOW, YOU CAN PLUG IN A LAPTOP--ON A PLANE

DESPITE RECENT ADVANCES in rechargeable batteries, heavy-duty laptop workers always seems to run out of power, especially on long intercontinental airplane trips. That's why carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Canadian Airlines are testing systems that will let passengers plug into a plane's electrical system. What's more, Xtend Micro Products Inc. in Irvine, Calif., is ready with a product for this new market--even before it fully gets off the ground.
Xtend has begun selling a line of adapters that have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. These are able to convert a plane's 12-volt electrical system to the proper voltage for a particular laptop model. Its $99 PowerXtender, available for more than 200 popular portable personal computers, looks and functions just like the power adapters that are used to juice a laptop from a car's cigarette lighter. In fact, along with the four-pronged cord that will fit the electrical outlet on an airplane seat's armrest, PowerXtender also comes with a plug for car use. It's a good thing PowerXtender can do double duty--since it's unclear how widespread the in-flight power systems will be by yearend.
EDITED BY PAUL M. ENG