₦airaland Forum

Is it reasonable to power laptops with type C charging port like the new XPS laptops and the MacBooks from 2016 and newer using power banks rated for up to 18 Watt fast charging using a USB PD type C to type C cable?

I'm sorry, I really didn't get your message here

Whispereye:
Such laptops are used to be type-C anyway for whatever reason out there totally and completely there. How else we can go on there basically. You will never get used laptop with such anyway. Care to see that ?

Short answer: No, 18W is generally not enough for laptops like XPS or 2016+ MacBooks.

Most modern USB-C laptops are designed to charge at much higher power levels.

For example:

Dell XPS 13 typically comes with a 45W or 65W charger.

Apple MacBook uses 29W.

Apple MacBook Pro uses 61W or 87W.

An 18W power bank is basically smartphone-grade power.

What will likely happen:

The laptop may refuse to charge completely.

It may say “plugged in, not charging.”

It may charge very slowly only when turned off.

If you’re using it while plugged in, the battery will still drain.

The reason is simple: most of these laptops negotiate 15V or 20V through USB Power Delivery. Many 18W power banks only provide 5V or 9V profiles, which laptops usually reject.

If you really want to power a USB-C laptop with a power bank, look for at least 45W output, preferably 65W with 20V PD support, and use a proper USB-C to USB-C cable rated for 60W or 100W.

So technically possible in rare cases, but realistically, 18W is not sufficient for XPS and modern MacBooks.

Sharp190418:
Is it reasonable to power laptops with type C charging port like the new XPS laptops and the MacBooks from 2016 and newer using power banks rated for up to 18 Watt fast charging using a USB PD type C to type C cable?