Many electronic devices have seen a significant change since the introduction of USB C and USB-C laptop charging systems. You can use the connection to charge devices and transfer media, and it’s conveniently reversible. Top laptops no longer need a big power brick — you can just use USB-C.
But there are some precautions you should take when charging over USB-C. Here’s everything you need to know.
USB charging and laptops
Most likely, you have already used USB connections to charge small devices from either your computer or an outlet. This works because the older USB connections were able to power smaller batteries with enough wattage. The USB 2.0 standard could only handle a small amount of power. This is why older versions of USB have retained larger cables.
That was before USB-C. This type of connection now provides enough power to juice up most laptops (Particularly the Type-C 3.0 version). That’s why laptop charging is a new topic of conversation for USB connections, especially now that more laptops are entering the market with USB-C charging compatibility.
How can you tell if your current laptop has USB-C ports that are compatible with charging? Although you could look it up on the internet, it’s easier to check your charger. A Type-C charger can be identified by its unique features. USB-C’s connector is small and rounded, significantly different from the old USB version. It also works no matter which way you connect it to the right port, so there’s no need to flip it the right way around. You have a winner if your charger plugs into the USB-C port.
USB-C chargers are turning up on many different devices, so it’s not strictly relegated to laptops. The latest phones can charge with USB-C, while car chargers and portable chargers (described below) may have USB-C ports. However, laptops are more likely to use USB-C than other devices (at least for the moment).
Can any port be used with any charger?
USB-C is the universal charging standard. That means that, technically, it doesn’t matter what USB-C charger you use — it should be able to power up a laptop with a USB-C charging port and power bank. This may not be true in the real world immediately. Today the majority of laptop USB-C chargers are interchangeable, but it’s not guaranteed.
Some laptops come with USB-C ports that don’t charge. This is most common on laptops that come with their own proprietary charger — although a number of laptops can be charged either way, only the propriety charger tends to power up a laptop more quickly. This is the Samsung Notebook 9This is an example, as well as the 2019 HP Envy 13. If you’re not sure exactly how to charge your laptop, check the manufacturer’s website, or look up a review of the system here at Digital Trends.
Laptops that depend solely on USB-C might not be able to charge with any other charger. PCWorld, during its testing, found that HP’s Spectre x2 wouldn’t charge with any USB-C charger besides its own. HP stated that the problem was caused by a bad USB-C charger that could damage or malfunction the device. Other devices, such as the Apple MacBook Pro, don’t have such tight restrictions — a new USB-C authentication system could help with this issue in the near future.
While we haven’t personally heard of any damage from using a USB-C charger other than the one that came with your laptop, there’s always a slim risk when plugging a laptop into an unknown power source. Faulty cables may also cause problems. Microsoft admits to this fact by saying, “You can also have problems with cables.” canA Surface can be charged with a USB C port. it’s highly recommended that you use the Surface chargerYou should have the charger included with the laptop. A USB-C charging cable would be very slow because of the way the device uses power. In short, it’s a good idea to buy cables and chargers from reputable sources and think twice about using that cable you found laying on the ground in a conference room.
You can purchase Additional USB-C cables for your own security.
Important: Your settings
You should also monitor your USB C power mode. This can be found in your laptop’s settings, usually under the power/battery section. Here, you may find that you can switch Type-C’s output, choosing whether to receive power or send power. If your USB-C laptop charger isn’t working when by all rights it should be, check your settings to make sure it is set to receive power.
Complex charging arrangements
Because USB-C can be used everywhere Can do multiple things at the same timeThis allows for unique charging situations. It is worth noting two points:
Pass-through: Today’s charging hubs also offer something called pass-through charging. This refers to a hub that can connect multiple USB peripherals to a laptop while also charging that laptop’s battery. Basically, it’s a combination between a hub and a USB-C charging cable, so you don’t need two different USB-C ports for each task. HooToo’s popular 6-in-1 USB-C Hub is a good example of this technology. Other innovative options include sending video to external monitors and charging your laptop during presentations.
Portable chargersPerhaps you have an older USB connector on your portable charger, but your phone has a USB C connection. This is not compatible with older USB ports. You can connect the charger to a computer with both USB-C and USB-A ports to charge your phone. You should not use your Type C laptop charger to charge your phone. Multi-device chargers, which can be used with most current devices, are still in their infancy.
USB-C, USB4
USB-C refers to the physical standard that is used for making USB cables (as well as USB-A and USB-B).While standards are followed by NumbersInstead of using letters, the data capabilities are listed. USB4 is the most recent standard, which specifies many of current USB-C devices’ capabilities. This includes a minimum charge power of 7.5W and maximum charging power of 100W, support of many displays without minimum requirements, 20Gbps data speed, and much more. This is a significant improvement on USB3, which required a lower minimum charging power and data speed. However, it’s still a new standard and only available on some of the newest devices at this time.
Thunderbolt, USB-C and Thunderbolt
There’s a variant of USB-C that’s a lot more powerful — Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt 3 & Thunderbolt 4 technologies are usually identified by a small logo of a lightning bolt on the cable or at the port. Thunderbolt uses additional technology to amplify the capabilities of USB-C in a number of ways.
Thunderbolt 3/4 can run twice as fast than the latest USB standards at forty gigabits per second. Thunderbolt 3 can also support multiple 4K displays at 60 frames per second (fps), “chain” up to six devices together, and offer other useful additions for gamers, teachers, and many others. Thunderbolt 4 expands the number of external displays supported, the length of Thunderbolt’s cable that Thunderbolt can keep its speeds at, and includes DMA (Direct Memory Access Security Protection) among other useful upgrades. Thunderbolt provides charging power of at least 15W, up to 100W, and a higher threshold than USB4.
So, why isn’t every USB-C port a Thunderbolt port, too? Well, it’s not always practical. Thunderbolt technology is not necessary for everyone. Not all devices support it. Manufacturers may not want to pay more for the hardware, as it can increase device prices. But if you want the top USB-C performance, it’s certainly a standard worth looking for.
Apple users
Apple users should know that they aren’t immune to the USB-C transition we’re seeing. Apple currently uses Lightning cables to charge iOS devices. This proprietary design isolates all Apple mobile charging accessories. The company has already switched to USB-C charging for MacBooks, and today’s iPad Pros also use USB-C charging. Lightning cables are a unique feature of iPads and iPhones.
Apple is going to have to reimagine its current Lightning cable situation to fulfill the EU’s latest requirement that phones use universal USB-C charging, which must be in place by the end of 2024. Apple is not going to give up the European market, and it’s possible that the iPhone 15 will, in turn, switch entirely away from Lightning cables and to a USB-C connection. Whether that will affect Apple’s charging capabilities remains to be seen.
A recent rumor also suggests that Apple will be launching a new iPhone. For all devices, forgo the Lightning portIt will begin with the iPhone range in 2025. Another report also highlights how the company is reportedly preparing to remove the port entirely from the AirPods’ charging case, mice, etc.
Frequently Asked Question
Are all USB-C ports capable of charging?
Although USB-C is increasingly becoming more commonplace as the go-to standard for charging, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all USB-C ports allow charging.
There are certain laptops — generally the systems that sport their own charger — that feature USB-C ports which don’t offer charging capabilities.
Can I charge my laptop via USB-C?
If your laptop has a USB-C charging function, you should be able to charge it via USB-C. However, certain mobile devices (notebooks and laptops), will require that you use a cable specifically designed to work with the system.
Is USB-C charging better?
USB-C charging offers superior performance to any other type of charging platform. The standard’s advanced technical capabilities mean that USB-C charging is more efficient than any other type of charging. It will generally charge your device faster than a regular power cable.
A USB Type-C cable, for example, can deliver up to 240 watts. Recently revealedIt is something that USB-C has never seen before. This just shows the potential that USB-C offers.
Is USB-C able to charge your laptop with no need for a charger?
Yes, and no. Yes, and no. As long as your laptop or notebook has a USB-C port specifically designed for charging support, you can use it to charge it without using a regular charger. As we said, not all laptops come with USB-C ports you can use to charge your device.
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