Is It Safe to Charge My Laptop with a 68W Phone Charger?

Magicmagic on 02/10/2023 - 23:03
Last edited 02/10/2023 - 23:04

Hi, seeking some advice as I don't want to damage my laptop. I have a Dell and HP laptop that uses a 65W charger laptop charger.

I purchased the Motorola Edge 30 Neo from this deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/802456 that comes with a 68W phone charger.

Would a 68W phone charger be safe to use for USB-C charging laptops?

I'm thinking of picking up some extra USB-C cables for the phone charger too. Would it be safe to get any decent cables like these from AliExpress? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32678087225.html?spm=a2g0o.c…

Thanks heaps!

Electrical & Electronics USB Charger

Comments

  • AdosHouse on 02/10/2023 - 23:24
    +2

    It will be safe. That charger seems to do 5v-9v-11v-15v-20v, most laptops I have seen require 20v. If the charger can't give the right voltage that the laptop wants, the charging chip will just say no and it won't charge.

    UGreen cables are good, I've been using them for years. They sell on Amazon too if you have Prime, normally next day for me.

  • Mechz on 02/10/2023 - 23:33
    +1

    The below would suggest that you can charge your laptop with it. However your Aliexpress links are USB-A to C. What's the port on the charger?

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Motorola-68W-Universal-GaN-USB-C-…

  • bargaino on 03/10/2023 - 00:31
    +4

    Safe, but it probably will not work.

    Laptops use USB-PD, via a UBS-C socket on the charger. Your Motorola charger appears to have a USB-A plug, with proprietary Qualcomm charge protocol.

    • DiscountForThee on 03/10/2023 - 08:46

      Some laptops will refuse to accept anything that isn't in their PD spec, but some will take what they can get, but make it very clear that it isn't charging as quickly as it could be. In these cases they may still even gain battery % if the usage is low

    • foxmulder on 03/10/2023 - 12:58

      USB-A cannot generate 68W, max around 15W. Thus it is definitely USB-C PD.

      • bargaino on 03/10/2023 - 13:36

        Not true. QC4 does 100W, and QC5 even more.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_Charge

        • foxmulder on 03/10/2023 - 19:32

          I confuse. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo comes with USB-C charger anyway right? See few videos to find out, can't find any, I double check this with Bard.

          • bargaino on 03/10/2023 - 20:09

            @foxmulder: Does it? Note that OP linked an A->C cable.

            Looking … there is a "TurboPower™ 30W Wall Charger with USB-C" , but I still reckon the 68W must be a Qualcomm.

            • foxmulder on 03/10/2023 - 20:42

              @bargaino: I'm sure OP doesn't realize his/her looking at USB-A to C cable which limits power he/she tries to achieve. 3A cable =15W. OP should have a USB-C charger. I think OP decides to use the original Motorola charger and the cable for the laptop, then he tries to buy a USB-C to USB-A cable for his phone with spare USB-A charger.

              • bargaino on 03/10/2023 - 20:47

                @foxmulder:

                3A cable =15W.

                Nah, don't assume 5V. Fast charge uses 15 or 20V.

                • foxmulder on 03/10/2023 - 20:55

                  @bargaino: I try to find more info, here is one UGreen USB-A to USB-C cable at 3A. Its max output 5V/3A, 9V/2A or 12V/1.5A power. Max it does is 18W. At least the UGreen is better than Belkin's of similar cable at 12W.

                  • bargaino on 03/10/2023 - 21:05

                    @foxmulder: I woudn't pay too much attention to specs on Amazon. Why would a cable's current capacity depend on the voltage?
                    I believe these cables are passive, so why mention a protocol version? Do they not work with QC4?

                    USB-PD is a bit simpler, but compatibility is still a mess.

  • payless69 on 03/10/2023 - 09:02
    -1

    Took my Macbook Air to India without charger.
    Found the Goa Apple store wanting double the Sydney price.
    Ended up with some large brick from a grocery store at around $3.
    Using a stronger cable the Macbook actually charged up overnight!

  • ESEMCE on 03/10/2023 - 09:45

    Worry about over-voltage, don't worry about over-current (Amps).
    If the Voltage is correct, the device will pull all the amps that it needs and no more.

  • LanceVance on 03/10/2023 - 15:16

    I used to charge my Macbook overnight with a 10w ipad charger, very slow but it will work. Won't hold a charge when using it but otherwise fine.

    • AustriaBargain on 03/10/2023 - 16:47

      What happened to your original MacBook charger?

      • LanceVance on 03/10/2023 - 20:27

        In another room.

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