Question #1: Is there a minimum wattage requirement for laptop charging?Will this charge my laptop? This is a common problem for people who have lost or misplaced their laptop charger and are frantically looking for a replacement. If you’re like most people and you’re in this situation, you’ll be using any random charger on your MacBook, Windows laptop,
or even Chromebook, plugging it in and hoping it starts charging. Sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes not so much. The good news is, we live in an age where basically every new laptop charges via USB -C—whether it’s made by Apple, Dell, HP, or Lenovo. Confusingly, not every USB-C wall adapter can provide enough power to charge a laptop.
Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about laptop charging:
Is there a minimum wattage requirement for laptop charging?
it depends. Typically, a wall adapter or portable charger must output at least 29 watts or 31 watts to provide more power to the laptop than it consumes when powered on. Of course, this will vary based on your power consumption intensity. For example, if you have a larger laptop or are running heavy-duty programs, a 30-watt wall adapter may not charge your laptop as quickly as it drains the power. The safe range for wall adapters is 45W to 96W – these will definitely be able to laptop charge adapters your laptop (with normal use).
What is Power Delivery (PD)? Does the wall adapter require it?
Power Delivery (PD) is a charging standard that allows chargers to output higher currents and higher voltages, allowing you to charge your smartphone or laptop from 0% to 100% in less time. Yes, PD is the only charging standard that can charge laptops .
That said, just because a charger supports PD doesn’t necessarily mean it can charge your laptop. PD technology can be integrated into many devices with power outputs ranging from 18 watts to 100 watts. For example, Anker’s 18W Power Delivery Charger and Aukey’s 18W PD Fast Charger are both designed to quickly charge your smartphone, not your laptop.
What is gallium nitride? How does it affect charging?GaN stands for gallium nitride and is a new buzzword in charging technology. Essentially, it’s a new material that’s more energy-efficient and space-saving than silicon (the traditional material used in wall adapters), so GaN chargers can be smaller and lighter but still very powerful. Anker has been a leader in GaN chargers, releasing the PowerPort Atom PD 1 last year, but many other charging companies are catching up. There are even rumors that Apple will include a 65-watt GaN MacBook Pro charger in its next MacBook Pro.
Not all laptops charge at the same speed.It’s not just how powerful the wall adapter is. A lot of this has to do with the amount of power the laptop can handle. Different laptops support different power inputs. For example, the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro supports a maximum power input of 140 watts (via MagSafe 3), while the latest MacBook Air is significantly less than that. This means that no matter how powerful the power output of your MacBook charger is, not every USB-C laptop will be able to charge at the same speed .
Another thing is that not all USB-C ports are the same. Specifically, not all USB-C ports support power delivery, and not all ports accept charging. Additionally, not all USB-C cables support PD. So, if you’re wondering why your laptop won’t charge even when plugged in, there could be an issue with the charging port or the charging cable you’re using.
Is Apple’s New MagSafe charging better than USB-C?
Apple has reintroduced an updated version of its MagSafe charger (technically called MagSafe 3) and integrated it into the latest MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. These laptops at least have a USB-C port that can be charged. This means you can charge your laptop in a variety of ways: MagSafe 3 or USB-C.
However, charging your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air is faster with MagSafe 3 charging. That’s because charging over USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) has a maximum power output of 100 watts, and MagSafe 3 can take advantage of the full 140 watts that come with some of the latest MacBook Pros.
USB-C not charging your laptop?
Check your laptop’s settings.If you have a USB-C cable plugged into your laptop that’s supposed to be charging but isn’t, it’s a good idea to check your laptop’s settings. Specifically, you need to make sure the USB-C charging port is receiving power, not just sending it (to other devices and accessories). To do this, open Settings on your laptop and go to the Power/Battery section (on a Mac, click the Apple menu > click System Settings > select the Battery icon in the sidebar) , you should be able to check for a specific USB-C port.Some Chargers That Will Definitely Charge Your Laptop
Anker 715The Anker 715 (also known as the Nano II 65W) is about the same size as the old 5-watt adapter It comes with older iPhones, but it’s more powerful. It’s made from Gallium Nitride (GaN II) instead of silicon, which helps it stay smaller but deliver more power, and is capable of delivering 65 watts. Yes, that’s enough to charge almost any laptop.
Satechi 100W USB C PD Wall Charger
AmazonSatechi 100W USB C PD Wall Chargeramazon.com$69.99Go shopping nowThis is a very unique wall adapter as it has dual USB-C PD ports and a single USB-A port, capable of distributing 100 watts of power to three different devices. Each of its USB-C PD ports can deliver up to 60 watts of power.This is a pretty neat power adapter because it’s one of the few that can work in your car. It plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter and is able to deliver up to 45-watts via its USB-C PD port. It also has a USB-A port for charging other devices.
OmniCharge Omni 20+The Omni 20+ is a super versatile 20,000mAh portable battery. It has two USB-A ports, a USB-C port that supports Power Delivery, and a 100-watt AC port so you can recharge it quickly when it gets depleted. There’s a 10-watt Qi-wireless charging pad on top (for your smartphone or wireless earbuds). And there’s an OLED display that shows how much power the att AC portable chargerhas left.