Help Choosing a 14" Laptop. Primary Charging Source 12V Car

• 

  wombat81 on 30/03/2025 - 10:32

  +1

  I can't really help as I don't know of any laptops that allow charging from 12v. Honestly, an inverter is the best way to go.

  But if you really don't want to do that, you could look at getting a laptop compatible power bank and charge that from your vehicle and, in turn, charge the laptop with it. But for the cost you'd be looking at, a small inverter would be cheaper.

  What's your actual charging setup in the car? Is it just a cigarette socket? Or do you have something better?

  Edit: something like this - https://kickassproducts.com.au/products/kickass-kickcharge-3…

  You could even charge it from a solar panel to save your car battery and it has pass through so you can charge your laptop while the power bank charges.

• 

  bargaino on 30/03/2025 - 10:48

  +3

  You can charge any laptop from a car. It is just a question of what is needed.

  want to avoid a 12v DC to 240v AC invertor or step-up

  Yes that is clunky and inefficient. What you need is a DC-DC step-up converter.
  Modern laptops charge from USB-PD, at 20V or sometimes 12 or 15V.

  e.g. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/255823721988

  For older laptops with proprietary connectors, I suggest a USB supply with adapter. e.g. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004810246574.html

  If you want something more rugged for camping, many here would recommend a "refurbished" ex-corporate laptop, over a new consumer model.

• 

  thewoodcutter on 30/03/2025 - 12:14

  +1

  Just get a laptop that has USBC PD. Most of the Dell Lattitudes and other brands newer laptops support it.
  Then you can get a 12v Cigarette ligher to USBc PD charger in your car and it. I use the same setup.

  Example laptop that supports USBC charging - https://reebelo.com.au/collections/dell-latitude-7480-laptop…
  Cigarette lighter (this small device has a step up transformer inside it and you dont have to worry about any voltage conversion yourself as the USBC PD standard's self negotiation takes care of all that) - https://www.amazon.com.au/Charger-Charging-Adapter-Cigarette…

• 

  cauilfield on 30/03/2025 - 12:20

  +1

  Got no issues charging my MacBook with 36w usbc belkin cigarette car charger takes 2longer than my 65w home charger

• 

  Randxyz123 on 30/03/2025 - 14:51

  Could you charge? I doubt it. Power it? Perhaps. You’d be much better off getting one of those big battery power bank inverter things like https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/899746

  If you are doing serious off the grid trips you should consider a leisure battery set up with perhaps partly solar charging…

• 

  cauilfield on 30/03/2025 - 14:58

  https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/belkin-boostcharge-dual-p…

  I use this one works with my dell and MacBook

• 

  GordonD on 30/03/2025 - 19:58

  The PD standard provides for output at 5,9,12,15 and 20V.

  A lot of laptops can be charged from a PD charger.

  But a lot of car PD chargers I've looked at only offer 5, 9, or 12V output. They can step down the car battery voltage, but they can't step it up.

  If your laptop requires 15V or 20V from the PD charger, and the one you've got only goes up to 12V, its not going to work.

  If you get a laptop and a car charger you have to check they actually work with each other.

  • 

    eug on 31/03/2025 - 10:42

    +1

    The older car chargers could only do buck but it looks like newer ones can do boost as well, e.g. this or this.

• 

  SYLTB on 30/03/2025 - 22:45

  ThinkPad. buy the cheapest and used one as 6 months later it will be an outdated laptop.

• 

  tamckinnon on 31/03/2025 - 09:18

  +1

  That wishlist does not complement each other for a laptop… Have you considered an iPad?

  Also, this car charger should charge most USB PD laptops https://www.amazon.com.au/UGREEN-150W-3C1A-Car-Charger/dp/B0…