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--- electrical:12v:laptop [2023/09/08 00:18]
princess_fluffypants [use a DC adapter]
+++ electrical:12v:laptop [2023/09/08 00:38]
princess_fluffypants [DC adapters]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Charging and powering laptops ======
-Laptops are the most power-hungry of the nomad's communications devices;  phones and tablets require [[electrical:solar:frugal|much less power]].
+Laptops are the most power-hungry of the nomad's communications devices;  phones and tablets require [[electrical:solar:frugal|much less power]].  Pretty much the only communication device that will consume more power would be a [[communication:internet|Starlink]] dish.
 There are two basic approaches to keeping your laptop charged on the road:
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
-===== opportunity charging =====
+===== Opportunity Charging =====
 **Sit near outlets** whenever possible.  When being seated by a host ask for a spot near an outlet.  Test the outlet before settling in.
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 Install a [[electrical:12v:intro|power setup]] in your vehicle.
-===== use a power-sipping laptop =====
+===== Use a smaller laptop =====
 {{ :electrical:12v:delllaptopadapterannotated.jpg?200|}}This advice will likely come too late. :-)
@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 ===== DC adapters =====
+{{ :electrical:12v:12v_usb-c.png?nolink&300|}}
 Using a DC adapter for your laptop rather than an [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] + the original 110v charger can save 10% or more power that would otherwise be lost in the inversion process.
-Almost all small-to-medium modern laptops run off USB-C, which is commonly rated for up to 90w;  a [[https://www.amazon.com/Charger-HKY-12V-24V-Adapter-Replacement/dp/B08MQ7HMPY/|12v USB-C adapter]] will plug into a 12v cigarette lighter port and give up to 90w of USB-C which will power most laptops. For a bit more money you can buy an OEM((Original Equipment Manufacturer)) car charger.
+Almost all small-to-medium modern laptops made from ~2021 and later run off USB-C, which is commonly rated for up to 90w;  a [[https://www.amazon.com/Charger-HKY-12V-24V-Adapter-Replacement/dp/B08MQ7HMPY/|12v USB-C adapter]] will plug into a 12v [[electrical:12v:ports|cigarette lighter]] port and give up to 90w of USB-C which will power most laptops. For a bit more money you can buy an OEM((Original Equipment Manufacturer)) car charger.
 Dell sells a 12v power supply for their older/larger laptops that is much less bulky than generics: [[https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-auto-air-adapter-90w/apd/450-aelt/pc-accessories|Dell 12v Auto/Air DC Power Adapter]].
-For larger/newer laptops (made post-2023), USB-C has been expanded to support 140w of power delivery. This is too much for a cigarette lighter outlet, but [[https://www.usbgear.com/cg-pd140epr.html|direct-wire DC power supplies will give you a 140w capable USB-C port]].
+{{:electrical:12v:12v_140w_usb-c.png?direct&200 |}}
+For larger/newer laptops (made from late-2023), USB-C has been expanded to support 140w of power delivery((Technically refered to as USB-C PD 1.4)). This is too much for a [[electrical:12v:ports|cigarette lighter]] outlet((they're only rated for 10amps, which works out to 120w)), but [[https://www.usbgear.com/cg-pd140epr.html|direct-wire DC power supplies will give you a 140w capable USB-C port]]. This is only realistically needed for the largest/heaviest laptops, especially gaming laptops or engineering/creator-oriented laptops.
 ===== reduce power consumption =====

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