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Can Laptops Be Charged Via USB with a Power Bank?

Posted by Angus Jones ,30th Mar 2024

New devices and the advancement of USB-C has meant that we can now power or charge more power-hungry devices.

Now you can have mobile backup power when you need it in a compact portable package.

The USB Power Delivery (USB PD) Specification enables the maximum functionality of USB by providing variable power delivery along with high-speed data over a single cable. It aims to operate with and build on the existing USB ecosystem.

 

Why would you use a Power Bank with Power Delivery?

We have become extremely reliant on our devices. Our smartphones, tablets, computers and even products like a GoPro or a drone need charging. A portable power bank enables you to essentially carry an extra battery in your pocket. The power bank can then, via a USB cable, connect to your device to charge or power it.

Power banks come in various sizes with the Laser range starting at 5,000mAh to 20,000mAh which relates to battery capacity. Different colours are available as well as charge indicators and support either USB-C or USB-A or both for providing power and charging.

A 20,000 mAh battery equals 73Wh. This means if you had a phone being recharged at 15W it could charge for almost 5 hours. Devices have different size batteries to charge and will charge at different rates. To give you some idea this 20,000mAh battery would charge a smartphone 3 to 8 times.

The PD standard allows chargers and power banks to change the voltage and amperage to adjust to different devices power needs. The Laser 100w PD power bank meets this standard and will adjust to your device.

 

What are the features of the LASER 100w PD Power Bank 20000mAh?

The LASER 100W PD Power Bank 20000mAh is a small portable battery to charge your USB devices.

Most new laptops and monitors can run and be charged from a USB-C cable. The Laser PD power bank can supply up to 100W of power which means it could deliver this high rate of charge for around 45 minutes. The supported 2 x USB-C and 2 x USB-A ports allow output and input as follows:

USB-A Output

5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A (18W max.)

USB-C Input

5V/2A, 9V/2A, 12V/2.22A, 15V/1.67A, 20V/3.25A (65W max.)

USB-C Output

5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/5A (100W max.)

 

This range means that it will charge any USB supported device whether old or new. Supported charging protocols include:
USB-C: QC2.0/QC3.0/FCP/AFC/SCP/PD2.0/PD3.0
USB-A: QC2.0/QC3.0/AFC/FCP/SCP/Apple

Note that although the unit can supply power at up to 100W, it will charge at up to 65W. You will need to ensure you have a PD-capable charger capable of charging at 65W if you want fast charging. Older 15w chargers will take 4 times longer to charge the power bank. We recommend the LASER 100W PD GAN Charger which can charge devices up to 100W.

The batteries in the power bank are Lithium Ion meaning they are light for their capacity and charge quickly. Safety mechanisms are built in including protection from overcharging, short circuits and temperature cut off.

The size of the 100W PD bank is 5x10x5cm which is about the size of a can of Red Bull and weighs 380 grams. You can carry it in your pocket, but it will stick out a bit. The construction is sturdy made out of a tough aluminium case.

The Power Bank is available direct from Laser for $149.95 an investment in peace of mind when on the go.

Using the 100W PD Power Bank?

The fact that you can use this to power a laptop is pretty cool although it will probably only get you 1 to 2 hours extra use depending on your model. 

To keep track of the charge, a LED screen displays battery capacity as a percentage as well as an indication of how much power in volts and amps your attached device is consuming. To convert this to watts simply times volts times amps.

A feature we really like is the unit's ability to pass through power. This means you can charge the power bank while using it to power something else. You can even power multiple devices simultaneously while charging, thus acting as a hub.

Hint

For more information on USB cables and charging see our previous Blogs Choosing the Right USB-C Cable for Your Devices.

Having the right cable to maximise charging and data transfer is critical.

SUMMARY – LASER 100w PD Power Bank 20,000mAh

The Laser 100w PD Power Bank is your perfect source of pocketable power for your devices on the go. With up to 100W charging you future proof your needs including laptops, drones and of course smartphones.

Users can also share the power across multiple devices making this power bank even more functional compared to older style power banks.