Possible to charge any laptop through USB-C/Thunderbolt?

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Possible to charge any laptop through USB-C/Thunderbolt?

Batman

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#252853 14-Jul-2019 09:18

I have a question. Got a new laptop that has a USB-C/Thunderbolt socket.

Technically, can I buy a USB-C charger and charge laptop from that socket?

Laptop is a "musclebook". Latest i7 with 45W TDP (not sure if it includes the IGP intel 630 HD or not), and a 50W secondary GPU and the provided power supply is 130W.

However, i run it undervolted and limited to 30W and only use IGP to surf the net and watch videos.

So I'm not worried about power delivery, but just whether it is technically possible. I guess I could buy an Apple USB-C charger and return if doesn't work, but thought I'd ask first.

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#2276185 14-Jul-2019 09:22

no only if the device supports it. which im guessing it doesnt as it has a regular charger

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#2276192 14-Jul-2019 09:55

Hmm ... apparently some (many/most) secretly support it, so there's really only one way to find out ... just thinking about travelling, what's the point if your charger weighs as much as the laptop!

BlinkyBill

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#2276195 14-Jul-2019 09:57

Yes, any USB-c charger will charge any USB-c device.

Jase2985

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#2276271 14-Jul-2019 12:09

whats the model number then someone can check for you

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#2276273 14-Jul-2019 12:13

the data is not found anywhere because

- the laptop is very new it is just released in this country (not even available in the US the last time I checked)

- the laptop shares the same model number as at least 3 other lines!

My laptop is Dell Inspiron 7590

But there is also a Dell G7 7590 Dell Vostro 7590 and Dell XPS 7590!

It's ok, I'll just buy an Apple USB-C charger and I'll know.

Jase2985

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#2276290 14-Jul-2019 12:55

"A USB Type-C™ port supporting Thunderbolt™ 3 allows you to charge your laptop, connect to multiple devices, and enjoy data transfers of up to 40Gbps, 8 times that of a USB 3.1 Gen 1."

From what i have read some laptops need specific chargers, and they wont just run any old USB-C charger, it may or may not be the case.

from reading

"Requires at least 65W USB-C PD power adapter to charge through the thunderbolt 3 port - my 65W Lenovo USB-C power adapter worked but the laptop will not charge using an Apple 87W USB-C power adapter"

hio77

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#2276327 14-Jul-2019 14:10

many usb c ports on laptops are designed for usbc hubs and thus take power input.

They are very touchy about requiring the PD signal though.

You can't slow charge them, they simply will just say No.

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Batman

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#2276338 14-Jul-2019 14:47

I see. So it will want a 130W USB-C huh.

I have found a Dell 130W USB-C charger on the US website, but it is as bulky (if not bulkier!) as a "normal" socket charger so I don't see the point.

Maybe I'll source a "normal" socket 60W official Dell charger, I have seen them around, they're about half the size and weight.

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#2276431 14-Jul-2019 17:45

BlinkyBill: Yes, any USB-c charger will charge any USB-c device.

Not quite.

USB-C is an incredibly complex standard, with *many* things that will catch out people new to it.

I'd say now that the vast majority of laptops that have USB-C ports now support USB-C charging. But that's where the catches start..

You need a USB-C PD charger, and need to support the minimum spec of the device.

As an example there are still plenty of USB-C PD chargers out there that support a maximum of 30W. This means it will probably support 5V, 9V, 12V and 15V PD profiles with a maximum of 15V @ 2A delivering 30W.

My HP EliteBook needs a charger with 19V or 20V PD profiles to work. You typically don't get 20V support on a USB-C charger unless it's delivering a minimum of 45W which introduces the 20V PD profile @ 2.25A

The Zerolemon charger I have is an amazing unit (you can buy the same hardware with a different brand on it from Noel Leeming), but I'll upgrade that to the latest Zerolemon when I'm back in a couple of months as the new one had dual USB-C and had 18W PD and 60W PD ports.

networkn

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#2276442 14-Jul-2019 18:00

BlinkyBill: Yes, any USB-c charger will charge any USB-c device.

This is categorically incorrect.

Stu

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#2276530 14-Jul-2019 20:56

sbiddle:
I'll upgrade that to the latest Zerolemon when I'm back in a couple of months as the new one had dual USB-C and had 18W PD and 60W PD ports.

That's sounds like it's just what I need. 60W PD with a second port PD port for charging GoPro batteries would be fantastic. (65-70W primary would be better still)

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#2276538 14-Jul-2019 21:16

Jase2985:

no only if the device supports it. which im guessing it doesnt as it has a regular charger

It's getting really common to have both a regular charger and support USB Power delivery. In short, I guess this is because they want to provide support for the thunderbolt docking station's that are becoming widespread, While not needing to pony up for a usb power delivery charger to include in the box (they are really expensive to a normal laptop brick).

Wife has a 13" HP elite book. Comes with a normal power brick, and supports being powered either by thunderbolt, or by HP's aging slimline dock.

I have a dell cad workstation laptop at work. Comes with a 180W conventional power adapter, and i got issued at dell TB16 dock which powers the laptop through a single wide plug which connects to two thunderbolt ports (can't deliver enough power through a single one....)

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#2276566 14-Jul-2019 22:39

Have a good close look @ your USB-C ports. As stated above, USB-C with Thunderbolt support will charge your laptop, that's the only version of USB-C that will.

The Thunderbolt support is indicated by a lightning bolt icon just above the port. No lightning bolt, no point connecting power to it.

Manufacturers are typically printing the logo in white on silver or black on black. Obfuscation of features is a long-term habit of the computer industry in general.

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#2276567 14-Jul-2019 22:41

Thanks, mine has Thunderbolt support.

How do I find the PD (whatever that abbreviation is) of my laptop and the PD of the Apple 87W charger I'm eyeing? (small form factor is important, otherwise no advantage vs power brick)

Edit: i guess PD = power delivery ?

Jase2985

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#2276569 14-Jul-2019 22:50

read one of my previous posts

someone with the same laptop as you said the apple charger didnt work.

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