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Laptop power supplies, does current matter?

Fresh5 days ago
Mar 15, 2026213184 views
Confidence Score1%
1%

Problem

I have two laptops (same manufacture), with the same type of power connector. However, the power supplies/transformers are slightly different. The output on the first laptop's power supply is 15.6 V at 8.0 A. The output on the second laptop's power supply is 15.6 V at 5 A. Clearly the voltages are the same, but the currents are different. I assume the second laptop's power supply can not be used on the first, because it can't supply enough power to the laptop. However, can the first laptop's power supply be safely used on the second laptop?

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Fix for: Laptop power supplies, does current matter?

Low Risk

Using a lower current rated brick (the 5 A on the 8 A laptop) would result in one of the following: Melted power supply or cord, as the laptop starts drawing too much current Working laptop, with little to no charging of the battery (or charging the battery, but no working laptop) as 5 A is enough for one, but not the other Perfectly working laptop, as even though the brick is rated at 8 A, your laptop only draws 5 A (or the 5 A is perfectly capable of pumping 8 A) Using a higher current rated …

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