techsupport

2468 readers

8 users here now

The Lemmy community will help you with your tech problems and questions about anything here. Do not be shy, we will try to help you.

If something works or if you find a solution to your problem let us know it will be greatly apreciated.

Rules: instance rules + stay on topic

Partnered communities:

You Should Know

Software gore

Recommendations

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

GatoB@lemmy.world

Is it a good idea to get a high wattage phone charging brick and standard USB C cord to use for a laptop charger? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by Usernameblankface@lemmy.world to c/techsupport@lemmy.world

19 comments fedilink hide all child comments

My laptop charges with USB C, so when the standard charger broke, I just used the USB out port from an EcoFlow battery. The display on the battery said the laptop pulled 25-30 watts while charging. So, why can't I use just any USB brick that can output more than 30 watts?

Is there something that is bound to go wrong that I don't know about?

Are laptop chargers really that special?

(Edited for clarity)

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Kethal@lemmy.world 13 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

There is something called the Power Delivery protocol for use with USB C. If your charger and device both support USB C PD, then everything is fine. The wattage of the charger will limit how fast it can charge, but the PD protocol sorts out the correct voltage. Most laptops, tablets and phones support PD now. You can also buy adapters to go from USB C PD to whatever connector your old laptops use (although watch out for current limits so you don't fry the adapter). I use this charger for everything. https://nekteck.com/products/nekteck-65w-usb-c-charger-gan-ii-pd-3-0pps-fast-charger

On my PD laptop, it complains that it's a "slow charger" because it wants 100 W or something absurd, but 65 is fine. On my old Lenovo, I have an adapter and the adapter itself doesn't support high current, so I can't reasonably use the laptop while charging, but I can charge it while it's off or asleep. I usually use the OEM chargers for those, but for travel it's nice to bring less. For everything else it's perfect.