Are Laptop Power Adaptors Linear or Switching?

[phoenixlament]

Or does it vary from brand to brand?

Just curious.

[japlytic]

Re: Are Laptop Power Adaptors Linear or Switching?

Today's (and even most of the early ones, if that is correct) are of the switching type.
Many of them can run on 100-240VAC, which means no bulky stepup/stepdown transformers are needed.
Many business travellers take their laptop overseas with them, often to a country with a different mains supply voltage.
Some, especially the higher powered units, have synchronous rectifiers on the secondary (output) side, such as the Targus AC90U, which can make them more efficient.

[larrymoencurly]

Re: Are Laptop Power Adaptors Linear or Switching?

Every one I've seen was the switching type because they were way too light to be linears. Even the linear power adapter for my 10-year-old Umax scanner weighs more, and it's rated for just 12W, compared to 60-90W for laptop adapters.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Are Laptop Power Adaptors Linear or Switching?

Yes, they are switchers.

[phoenixlament]

Re: Are Laptop Power Adaptors Linear or Switching?

Okay. Thanks for the replies.