[Ugly Mongrel]

  Crazy stuff. 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/woman-found-dead-holding-laptop-in-apparent-electrocution

[rustynutz]

 

[Dazzler]

Wow that is scary, although I think it is mainly Apple laptops that use that sort of adapter or smaller Tablet like units like my ASUS Transformer T300. All the laptops I've ever had, used or rented out have a power brick! 

[mjt57]

Bit confused here. The photos in the news article and the article itself refers to "USB chargers" not a laptop charger. Different animals...

I wouldn't trust the Ebay specials, not when you plug them into a 240v outlet. My Apple products have genuine USB chargers and whilst they cost more you'd hope that they have approval for use here in Oz.

[The Gonz]

I'll tell you what's really scarey. Rusty's new avatar!

[Surferdude]

I have a Huawei charger which has the tick and the pin insulation.
I WAS thinking about buying one of those cheapies as a backup but I will be more circumspect now.

[Dazzler]

They explained a bit more on the news tonight ... had her phone plugged into one USB charger and her laptop plugged into another using both with headphones on.. kind of made a circuit. Never a good idea to use a mobile while it is plugged in to the wall either.. Still very unlucky though!

Was a very pleasant looking young Asian lady with a small child... Very sad! 

[Doggie 1]

I have a Huawei charger which has the tick and the pin insulation.
I WAS thinking about buying one of those cheapies as a backup but I will be more circumspect now.

I've never been in favour of circumspection.

[plasticphyte]

I would not be caught with a non genuine charger.

This is a good tear down comparison of an iPad charger v non genuine:
http://www.righto.com/2014/05/a-look-inside-ipad-chargers-pricey.html?m=1

This article also touches on counterfeit chargers:
http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html?m=1