Technology is getting advanced, and all of us are witness to all the innovations. Earlier, people owned heavy PCs, and then came chunky laptops. And now you get paper-thin laptops that are easily foldable and quite portable.
As someone who uses laptops, you already know that a charger is required for charging the laptop. But that is not the only way.
From USB Type-C to a Type-A connector - there are various options for you. That's new news for you, right? Well, yes, you can charge a laptop with USB. Now that you are here, dive into the post as we share the basic understanding of USB charging.
No.1. Understanding USB Charging
USB or Universal Serial Bus technology is used for connecting computers with peripheral devices.
It is a wired connection that carries electrical and data power. In phones, these USBs are used as charging connectors. But they can be used for connecting phones to TVs and computers too.
There are USB standards from 1.0 to 4.0. USB made its debut in 1996 and since then, it has come a long way.
The most recent one is the USB 4.0 which was released in 2019 and the data transfer is up to 40 Gbps. It is a powerful and dedicated video transfer methodology.
But there is more! The USB-C PD is the newest standard which can deliver almost 240 watts of power which is sufficient to charge devices such as laptops.
No.2 Charging a Laptop with a USB
The good news is you can charge your laptop using a USB-C charger. Here's what you need to know:
A. Using a USB-C Charger
The USB-C laptop chargers are a game-changer. Anyone can use the connection to charge their devices and also transfer images, music, or any kind of media. The best of the best laptops don't need a powerful brick - they can simply use USB-C.
Thin and portable laptops can be charged using a USB-C charger, but heavy gaming laptops may not have that feature, and it is generally avoidable.
If your laptop has a USB-C style plug on the power adapter, then yes, you can connect and charge the system.
B. Power Delivery (PD) Requirements
Usually, a portable charger or wall adapter has 31 watts or 29 watts to give your laptop more power than it can consume by just staying on. However, this would depend on the intensity of the power consumption.
USB-C PD, the new standard, will deliver at least 240 watts of power, which is more than enough for laptops that need more power than a USB-C can alone supply.
C. Other Considerations
If the laptop has a USB-C port, it will support fast charging too. You can enjoy being on your laptop for a longer time, and not waste time charging the device everywhere. With the presence of fast charging, you may charge the battery up to 80% in just an hour.
But if it's a heavy-usage gaming laptop, the USB-C charger may not be as efficient in charging the gadget.
No.3 Benefits of USB Charging
- You will benefit from fast charging. The device will charge faster, and you have to spend less time charging your device.
- When you take this path of USB charging, there is less environmental damage.
- You can use the same for laptops and phones. It's like getting the best of both worlds!
- You can plug it in any way. It is fully reversible and versatile.
No.4 Comparing USB charging to traditional charging methods
While traditional charging is still a valid option, people are turning to USB charging for more versatility and faster charging.
When you are out on vacation and do not have access to traditional chargers, you can make good use of a USB charger. There is less stress on your mind when you have a USB charger to charge both laptops and phones.
No.5 Tips for USB Charging
Here are a few do's that you need to abide by when purchasing USB-C chargers.
#1 Using reputable and reliable USB-C chargers: Do not fall for cheap deals. Get USB-C chargers from a reputable brand.
#2 Checking laptop manufacturer's guidelines or recommendations: Never miss reading the guidelines and recommendations because the manufacturer knows what works best for your laptop. After all, they are the makers of your laptop.
Being aware of power limitations and potential issues: Check the power limitations before purchasing the USB-C charger. Ideally, you should not purchase these for heavy-usage laptops like gaming ones. These chargers cannot provide as much power to gaming laptops.
Conclusion
So, even if you don't have your traditional charger, USB-C can save the day. It is gaining a lot of popularity these days for the right reasons.
Even if you are travelling, you can make use of USB-C for your phone and laptop. But make sure you buy the right one!