Using a lower wattage power supply for a laptop

[omniflow]

Hi,

I have a new laptop and stupidly I have left the power supply in a customers office - it may or may not be there when I go back on Monday.

It came with a 150W 19.5v DC 7.7 Amp power supply with a 4.5 * 3 connector.

I ordered a replacement power supply from Amazon, but that has a 5.5 * 2.5 connector on it. I also ordered a connector converter that has the right size tip but the socket is 7.4 * 5.

Does anyone know what the impact / consequences would be of using a power supply with less than 150W - e.g. 90W?

Does anyone know if I could get away with snipping the wires and replacing the tip on the power supply with one from the connector converter?

Or - does anyone know of anywhere I can either get a suitable power supply, or a suitable converter?

At this point I'm less worried about cost, but I do need this sorted by end of day tomorrow.

HELP.

Thanks

[The_Jackal]

Sounds like one hell of a bodge I wouldn't touch with a bargepole. You obviously have no fear when it comes to electrics.
If money isnt an issue, just buy the right one?
Sounds like you'll be buying anew laptop soon as well.

[Mr E]

Best case, it’ll charge more slowly. It might give you a message to that effect.

Moderate case, it’ll charge more slowly and consume more than 90w when running, so the battery will discharge (slowly) while you’re using it and it’s plugged in.

Worst case, she won’t work at all.

[Scrump]

I use a lower wattage power supply on one of my laptops without any issue.
It has the correct size connector though.

[Mr Pointy]

Here's a trio of 150W with a 4.5*3 connector you can have tomorrow:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HotTopStar-4-5x3-0mm-Work...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HotTopStar-Replacement-La...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HotTopStar-15-ax243dx-15-...

Alternatively lookk at a 90W one with assorted tips:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Connectors-Note...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outtag-Universal-Detachab...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Connectors-Note...

150W is a big PSU so if your laptop really draws that much then you'll probaly run the battery down even when it's running on mains. It depends if this is a stopgap arrangement or a permanent replacement: if it is then you need to bigger PSU.

[omniflow]

Mr Pointy said:

Here's a trio of 150W with a 4.5*3 connector you can have tomorrow:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HotTopStar-4-5x3-0mm-Work...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HotTopStar-Replacement-La...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HotTopStar-15-ax243dx-15-...

Alternatively lookk at a 90W one with assorted tips:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Connectors-Note...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outtag-Universal-Detachab...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Connectors-Note...

150W is a big PSU so if your laptop really draws that much then you'll probaly run the battery down even when it's running on mains. It depends if this is a stopgap arrangement or a permanent replacement: if it is then you need to bigger PSU.

Thanks for this - I was getting so wound up I couldn't think logically. I've now ordered one of the HotTopStar ones. It's an i9 laptop with a 4K screen, so it probably does draw quite a bit. If the proper one isn't where I think I left it on Monday morning, then I'll source a genuine replacement and keep the other as a spare so that this doesn't happen again.

[tribbles]

I have used a lower power supply with a laptop - what you may find is:

1) you'll get a warning on bootup
2) it won't charge while it's on (although the charge will be static)
3) it'll be in a lower performance mode

As to changing the end, it's not something I would be scared of - but then I did design power supplies for computers in the past

[sunbeam alpine]

Sorry for the hijack but I have a similar question -

My laptop "died" last week, and I suspected the power supply, so I also picked up one of those cheapo standard "multi-tip" chargers.

My laptop now powers up (or at least it appears to), the power light comes on and the HD light flashes, but nothing appears on screen.

On checking the new charger, it's rated output is 19V and 3.5A. The original charger is 19V and 7.7A.

Is the new charger too light or could there be something wrong with the laptop?

[omniflow]

Sorted - and many thanks to Mr Pointy.

HotTopStar charger arrived 10 minutes ago - laptop plugged in and charging fine.

Seems to be an identical spec to the OEM charger.

[Mr Pointy]

omniflow said:

Sorted - and many thanks to Mr Pointy.

HotTopStar charger arrived 10 minutes ago - laptop plugged in and charging fine.

Seems to be an identical spec to the OEM charger.

Jolly good. Now you'll find your original one tomorrow.