The chargers can handle 240 volts as well as 120 volts. What you require is an adapter that will fit your wall outlets. Usually travel outlets sell them for a few bucks. If you are hot to trot and want to get your PB up and running as soon as possible, this is the way to go.
Dunno why they are doing this. A firend from Portugal won one in the webcast where we *exclusively* leaked the release date for OS2.0 and it was also shipped from the US.
Funny fact is, they said they were goign to make sure they got everybody's location 1st so the devices could be shipped locally.
I'd ask them to supply you with one if it was given to you by RIM, in the meantime I'm led to believe they have boxes and boxes of chargers at any hotel, you might try there.
And just use the UK clip from it with the original charger that shipped with the tablet, keeping the actual charger bit from this one as a backup. Working very well and cheaper than Amazon. Seems to be legit BB charger as well, rather than a knock-off.
EDIT: I wouldn't advise using one of the USB adapters, as the time I tried to charge my playbook via USB it didn't work (plugged into PC - charge just stayed the same), and in the help files on the device itself it specifically says you can't charge by USB. But the charger I linked above is cheap and works well, so I'm pretty happy. Considering I got the playbook for free I can't complain about paying �4.65 for a charger I guess.
Am tempted to email them but then I'd feel a tad cheeky lol
Actually, I wouldn't call that "cheeky" at all. They promised you a device, they provided one that's difficult to use; I'd call them on it.
At the very VERY least, they need to provide you with a way to order a proper, RIM OEM charger. But preferably, they'd actually give it to you for free.
...I wouldn't advise using one of the USB adapters, as the time I tried to charge my playbook via USB it didn't work (plugged into PC - charge just stayed the same), and in the help files on the device itself it specifically says you can't charge by USB.
My PB's battery accrues charge -- albeit slowly -- when plugged into my laptop over USB.
I also received my fee PlayBook in the UK and found no UK adapter. I also bought the rapid charging dock off amazon and it came with an eu plug. I found a shaver adapter worked for the normal charger but not the rapid as it blew the 1amp fuse. I had to get a 'visitor' adapter from poundland that has a 13 amp fuse.