It sounds like you want a “wall wart” style charger that plugs directly into the wall and has a USB-C cable from there. In that case, there’s no reason not to get a charger separately. As others have alluded to, I’d recommend a quality charger, but as long as it conforms to the USB PD standards, it should work just fine.
As far as benefits to the FW charger, it does have a couple, as far as I am concerned. First, I like that it has a cord from the wall to the “brick” because the plug doesn’t take as much space up when plugged into a surge suppressor or just when used it tricky places in general. I also like that it provides a few extra feet of length, without having to buy a longer USB C cable. Also, being a GaN based charger, the “brick” itself is quite small for a 60-65 watt charger. Neither of those things are unique to the FW charger though. If the price/features of the FW charger fit your needs, that’s great. If not, there’s no reason not to get something else that will work better for you.
The FW charger is 3-prong/grounded, most (all I’ve been able to find) other ones are not. Without ground, you typically get the tingling leakage current sensation.
A “tingle” sensation may be felt when touching the exposed metal portions of the notebook and/or 2 -prong AC adapter when the AC adapter is plugged in. The “tingle” sensation is not an indication of a failed or defective ground.
A 3-prong adapter is one option to eliminate the “tingle” sensation. The other is to change some of the environmental factors involved. As an example, the “tingle” sensation won’t happen when running the notebook on battery power. Also, you can eliminate the “tingle” sensation by connecting a grounded peripheral such as a USB printer or other device that uses a 3-prong adapter to the notebook.
Thanks for mentioning the tingling leakage… I recall experiencing that and it’s no fun
Hmmmm… I might give FW charger a greenlight due to that reason. unless I can find something.
One thing I like about the official FW charger is that it supports multiple charging voltages over USB PD (5v,9v,15v, and 20v). So while it’s a weaker than a 120w Dell charger for example, the FW charger can charge multiple different laptops and smartphones at fast charging speeds, while the Dell charger simply doesn’t support devices that can’t run on 20v.
Personally I’ll be repurposing the 60W charger of my previous dead laptop. So I guess one advantage of aftermarket chargers is that you potentially already own it
To be fair he doesn’t seem to particularly like any of the 65w adapters but basically the take away is it’s alright. The 65w anker nano II is more compact and the 65w amazon basics is cheaper.
Yeah, it’s a recurring theme on the channel that 65W chargers tend to lack power factor correction, which he really likes to see. Some 100W chargers employ the technique even at low power levels, but I can’t recall a single video where he’s tested a 65W model with the feature.
The reviews are all various shades of pointing out the weaknesses of each charger and this one was indeed pretty positive overall. Not positive enough that I’d buy one if I wasn’t buying a computer, but enough to be very comfortable using the one that came with the computer.
I’m almost certain that most PD chargers support most voltages lower than their maximum voltage. They also must support at least 5 V, regardless of what other voltages they support.
Having a mains cord from the wall to the transformer makes it easier to travel between UK & EU. Just swap the mains cord. The wall port styles require complete replacement.
I’m going to use a dock station of some sort at home, and a power supply elsewhere, so a multiport charger that will manage my phone +/- other gadgets appeals.
Not rushing, because my old laptop charger will manage 45W. My Dell TB3 might do, I’m waiting till my FW13 actually arrives.
Possibly this 4-Port GaN Charger 108W, x2 USB-C PD, x2 USB-A | Belkin
I would prefer 4 USBC ports - and buy custom cables for devices for which manufacturer only supplies USBA. Also phone requires QC (Qualcom quick charge) and I don’t fully understand how that relates to PD
The 180w power adapter does have power factor correction.
The 60w adapter does not as it is very slightly below where PFC starts being legally required in the EU (75w from the wall, after accounting for efficiency around 65w adapters are the highest that don’t need it, which is why 65w adapters are super common).
