Laptop Power Supplies

Armed with the wattage information you can now find a suitable replacement laptop charger. The next thing to look at is the connector on the laptop charger. This is the connection at the end of the cable that plugs into your laptop. Laptop power supplies are manufactured with a range of different connectors to suit different makes and models so make sure any power adapter you're considering has the right connector for your specific laptop.

There are two parts to most laptop power supplies; the power adapter and the cable that connects the adapter to the laptop. The adapter is the brick-like (usually black) piece that converts the electrical current into a low voltage suitable for your laptop. Adapters can vary in size and weight so depending on how and where you use your laptop, consider if the length and weight of the adapter plus cable works for your setting or if you should look for a different model instead.

The power adapter you will have received with the laptop originally will have been manufactured by a third party company on behalf of your laptop manufacturer. We call these products OEM laptop power supplies which stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This means you have a choice when shopping for a replacement laptop power adapter. You can buy an official, branded charger as supplied or endorsed by the laptop manufacturer. We stock branded laptop power supplies from Dell, HP, Lenovo and other leading manufacturers. Alternatively, you can buy an OEM (generic) charger and there are also universal laptop chargers available which may be compatible with your machine.

The main benefit of buying an original laptop power supply is you can be sure about compatibility and product quality/safety. The downside is you will typically pay a handsome premium for the product and they can be difficult to source. OEM laptop power supplies are usually much cheaper and can be just as reliable but you should ensure you're buying from a reputable seller who is supplying a product that's manufactured using quality components and with the appropriate safety features such as short circuit protection and thermal control. Beware of cheap laptop power supplies which are often fake or counterfeit and potentially dangerous. If you're evaluating a universal laptop power adapter, be sure to check the power and connector options are right for your laptop.

Finally, even if your existing laptop power supply works perfectly well, if you depend on your laptop remaining operational at all times, it’s worth having a spare adapter around in case it fails.