Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in

Compatibility: Will It Work?

Universal Laptop Power Adapters For The Air, Road, And Wall
By

Duracell's compatiblity chart from AmazonDuracell's compatiblity chart from Amazon

Will these adapters work with your notebook? That's hard to say definitively. Duracell doesn't publish a compatibility list on its Web site. Fortunately, if you hit Amazon, you'll find a small chart listing brands and corresponding tips.

Back of Duracell's BoxBack of Duracell's Box

The back of the box spouts off a list of models, but that's no compatibility guarantee. There is a more complete list published in the included manual, but ideally, you'd know whether the adapter works with your notebook before you sink the cash on it. Well, we went ahead and scanned those pages so you can see for yourself.

Back of Kensington's BoxBack of Kensington's Box

Kensington is just as vague, though you can find a compatibility list on its Web site. Again, that's hardly a clear-cut matrix of models, though.

Inside Flap of Targus' Retail BoxInside Flap of Targus' Retail Box

Targus publishes a short-hand compatibility list on the inside flap of its retail box, but the company's Web site is much more helpful. There is a guided search, similar to Kingston's and Crucial's memory configurator, that tells you exactly which adapter tip you need for your laptop and if it's offered.

If your notebook happens to be from one of  the top four vendors (Acer, HP, Dell, Lenovo), you probably don't have anything to worry about.

Ask a Category Expert

Create a new thread in the Reviews comments forum about this subject

Example: Notebook, Android, SSD hard drive

Display all 17 comments.
This thread is closed for comments
  • 0 Hide
    shreeharsha , September 2, 2011 7:08 AM
    I actually thought they are going to release a standard for all the Laptop Power Adapters, one power adapter for all the notebooks. (only might be different wattages)
  • -1 Hide
    randomstar , September 2, 2011 2:57 PM
    I can not honestly tell you the number of friends, customers, and others that bought a non-dell power adapter for a dell unit, and found out that it will run the unit, with reduced performance, but will not charge. and paid lots of money. I keep a collection of actual dell power supplies 65w, 90w, 120w ,just to help out when that happens. funny thing , if you shop around you can get the real ones for less than the kingston, etc "universal"!
  • 0 Hide
    JohnnyLucky , September 2, 2011 3:43 PM
    It's a shame that there is no single International standard to go by. It would make things a lot simpler.
  • 0 Hide
    cadder , September 2, 2011 3:46 PM
    And even worse than that- between my daughter and I we've owned 3 Dell laptops, and each one uses a different power adapter and plug.
  • -1 Hide
    soccerdocks , September 2, 2011 5:21 PM
    cadderAnd even worse than that- between my daughter and I we've owned 3 Dell laptops, and each one uses a different power adapter and plug.


    That seems unusual. In my house we have 3 different laptops spanning 6 year purchase dates and they all have the exact same plug. Two of the laptops are Latitudes and the other is a Studio XPS. The only difference is that the Studio XPS came with a 130 watt adapter as opposed to 65 watt adapters for the Latitudes. So no gaming with that machine while plugged into the 65 watt adapters.
  • 1 Hide
    legacy7955 , September 2, 2011 5:40 PM
    shreeharshaI actually thought they are going to release a standard for all the Laptop Power Adapters, one power adapter for all the notebooks. (only might be different wattages)


    Actually this sort of standard DOES exist in Europe for smart phones and cell phones, I'm not sure if it includes laptop or netbooks but it might. I'll have to search around.

    It seems the bottom line today is buy the OEM adapters if you want to play it safe.
  • -1 Hide
    mayankleoboy1 , September 2, 2011 6:34 PM
    thats another lame article consecutively.
    come on Toms, get the BD benchies out already.
  • 1 Hide
    CaedenV , September 2, 2011 7:43 PM
    This is exactly why I don't understand dropping serious money into a laptop. Have a good desktop, and a cheap laptop/netbook/smartphone/tablet for your portable needs. Batteries only last 2-4 years with consistent use, so after 2-3 years you need a $150 battery, plus if your power brick is worn out then it is another $120 for that...
    So that $800 laptop then requires another $270 to run after 3 years? And this is assuming you don't drop the thing, or break it through normal wear and tear. And laptops do not age as gracefully as desktops because they are generally crap hardware to begin with. Much better to stick with a $300 laptop, and a decent desktop. The desktop will keep up with the times longer and will have less maintenance, while the laptop can be swapped out when need be.
  • 0 Hide
    Anonymous , September 3, 2011 12:26 AM
    only quake 2.
  • -1 Hide
    simontay1984 , September 3, 2011 3:21 AM
    My Toshiba Satellit Pro M30 is over 5 years old now and it still works fine. HDD and RAM has been upgraded. The battery went flat a long time ago and won't recharge.
    Instead of buying a new Lithium-Ion batt (that would only last about another 2 years anyway), I just use a 12V 7.2Ah Lead Acid connected to the PSU input when I don't have access to a mains supply for an extended period (e.g. on long train journey).

    It works cos the PSU output voltage is 15V so 12V is close enough.
  • -1 Hide
    madjimms , September 3, 2011 11:18 PM
    Rosewill makes some very good laptop bricks.
  • 0 Hide
    cybersans , September 4, 2011 4:52 AM
    the problem always created by U.S.A. they like to twist the ISOs upside down. for example, metric system, kilometer become miles, centimeter become inches, kilogram become pound, standard road direction is left,they changed to right. wall socket pin, voltage. etc. and today, they corrupted world financial system, caused loss of multi billion to several region. if they follow the a-long-lone time ISOs, it will be easier to everyone in this world.

    cheers!
  • -1 Hide
    Anonymous , September 4, 2011 9:17 PM
    @Cybersans. The United States customary system of measurement is based on imperial units, which were used in the British Empire. Most intelligent people in the world, that have studied at least some history, understand that the United States of America was born from 13 British Colonies. That being said, many customs that are still used in the US today were born from our British Heritage like for instance the mile and the ENGLISH LANGUAGE!! Most of us, who celebrate that heritage, also feel a requirement to come to the aid of the nation in which fathered our own in say, ‘times of crises’ which is another history lesson. Also, since most of the technology that is discussed on this website was created in our country, it is only customary that the technology gets measured in its country of origin not matter how convoluted it may be. Cheers!
  • 0 Hide
    WyomingKnott , September 7, 2011 6:24 PM
    legacy7955Actually this sort of standard DOES exist in Europe for smart phones and cell phones, I'm not sure if it includes laptop or netbooks but it might. I'll have to search around. It seems the bottom line today is buy the OEM adapters if you want to play it safe.

    Phones and GPS devices take less current to charge than notebook batteries. These devices are moving from proprietary chargers to charging via USB. I haven't met a notebook computer yet that could charge off the low USB currents, even if the 5V supply could be pushed up to 12V.
  • 0 Hide
    WyomingKnott , September 7, 2011 6:29 PM
    Quote:
    he battery in the notebook largely regulates the trickle charge, even when it's topping off from a constant current/constant voltage charging scheme.

    I hope that that is so; it certainly wasn't the last time that I looked at this in detail. At that time, just putting 15V across the charging terminals of the battery and going to sleep would ruin the battery; there was all kinds of logic in the charger to protect the battery.

    Have they really built this into the batter now, so that all we have to do is provide a DC source with the right voltage and no other control circuitry?
  • 0 Hide
    kishan somaiya , September 15, 2011 5:50 PM
    i don't think this new product will give fruitful solutation
  • 0 Hide
    arlord , September 9, 2012 2:38 PM
    i think this price is too expensive, $80 in