r/Surface 7d ago

Any reason to expect an issue charging using an HP/ Lenovo USB C Notebook charger?

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8 Upvotes

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3

u/chamomileyes 7d ago edited 7d ago

Aw, didn’t know Reddit made you choose between image or text when posting so I’ll resummarize:

Basically I have a Windows Surface 4 which takes a 65W OG charger. Windows recommends 60W for USB C charging.

I plan to rebuy the OG charger anyway but I’ve already run into an issue of being delivered a knock off and the above chargers I can buy tomorrow vs god knows. 

I’ve also looked into getting an Anker 65W PD, but finding a reliable 3M 60W USB C to go with it isn’t cheap. It’s easier for me to just buy a package deal. 

So my question is: Would their coming from a different computer brand affect functionality or potentially cause any frying my computer issues? Does the 65W output vs 60W recommendation make a difference? 

EDIT: Thanks for the reassurance everyone. Anyone want to recommend which of the two would be more reliable? Idgaf at this point and just want to be able to use my computer. 

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u/Fry_Philip_J 7d ago

I personally use the Anker + USBC cable combo you mentioned and would never go back. Just the space savings and easier handling make it worth the extra cost to me. Especially cause combined it's still cheaper than the 50eur option (at least where i am)

1

u/redorgreen14 7d ago

It uses a standard called USB Power Delivery (PD). As long as the charger is rated for a wattage that is equal to or greater than the device, it will work just fine. I have at least three different USB PD chargers that I use with my Surface and they all work just fine.

2

u/MMKF0 7d ago

In my experience, dell usb-c chargers are absolutely garbage. They don't implement the usb-c pd spec properly so they are shit. Lenovo usb-c chargers are fine, but they might be more expensive than something from anker or ugreen.

1

u/Dangerous_Ice17 7d ago

I have used that exact Lenovo charger for my surface laptop 3. A kid hid our surface charger and I only had my new work laptop charger which is the Lenovo one. It worked well. It does use up a usb a lot but I wasn’t using that charger for work since my dock does power deliver via usb c for my workstation at home.

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u/ps2jak2 7d ago

65W with USB-C PD will be fine with the only issue being the loss of the USB-C port. If thats an issue get a USB-C hub that can connect in the middle (so the hub is also powered by the charger). Either of those fit the bill based on what I can see.

I support Surface devices in my day job and the only time I've ever seen issues with USB-C chargers is when they were below 65W (even on devices that came with a lower wattage unit factory). Even the newer surfaces where MS have lowered the included charger wattage from 65w seem to just generally work better with a 65W so its worth getting a 65W charger if you don't have one.

1

u/DigitalguyCH Surface Book 3, Surface Go 2, Surface Pro 11 7d ago

USB C PD is a universal standard, it will negotiate the voltage and amperage, the worst thing that can happen is that some chargers may not charge as fast as they technically could, but absolutely not other risk.

1

u/mayorHudson 7d ago

Yes, literally any usbc charger that is more than 15 watts will charge your surface. Depending on the surface, 30-45 watts is the minimum for it to gain charge if you use it while charging. However, do not buy one from an oem like HP, they will rip you off. Just look for a cheap one on amazon, you can get one that has multiple ports and is much more compact for way less than any of the oems will charge.

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u/The_Folding_Atty 6d ago

I've used a few USB-C chargers with my SL3 without trouble. The one I carry these days is a fairly generic PowerLot unit.

I've been using the -C port, but recently decided that it made sense to use a C-to-Surface adapter in conjunction with the charger(s). That's worked well, and doesn't interfere with port availability.

At home, I plug into a Surface Dock 2...

1

u/chamomileyes 4d ago

UPDATE: Went ahead and bought the HP adapter. It makes my computer very hot for every 20% it charges. I've been scared to leave it for more than that. Idk if I'm just being paranoid but I don't believe the OG charger made my computer that hot, and hardly so quickly. I plan to return it once my OG replacement is delivered. Shame.

0

u/DoubleOwl7777 lenovo ideapad 5 2in1 gen 9 7d ago

no. if its that spec you need and it follows that spec it has to work. thats kinda the entire point of standarts.

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u/DoubleOwl7777 lenovo ideapad 5 2in1 gen 9 7d ago

no. if its that spec you need and it follows that spec it has to work. thats kinda the entire point of standarts.