I don’t yet have a Framework laptop so I can’t check, but Framework’s CEO has said it’s grounded:
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If I recall, the shell of USB plugs are not supposed to be directly grounded. It should be done through a resistor of some value instead. I don’t have a Framework on hand to check, but even if only the power supply itself is grounded, I’ll still take it over no ground. You can of course replace the cord if you wish. Though, I wouldn’t recommend removing the ground, you are never supposed to remove or defeat a ground that was put in place.
I wonder if it just means it’s a remedy / compensation for some poor laptop designs / engineering.
…just think about all the 2-prong 65W USB-PD power adapters from Lenovo…globally.
It’s not. I’ve done exactly zero optimizations beyond whatever comes built into Ubuntu. Currently using a 20W charger as I type this because I’m too cheap to buy a higher wattage when I got this one lying around (plus I have my eGPU dock for when I’m gaming). At say 25-30 percent on the brightness bar and the KB backlight turned on, the laptop still charges. For any kind of office work or video watching, 20W is sufficient. It won’t ever be accused of being speedy but it is charging.
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When I travel I only bring my 18w PD charger that came with my Pixel 3a. It is sufficient to charge my MacBook Pro to 100% overnight and I don’t even need to shut it down. With a computer that has enough battery for a whole work day I prefer to give up fast charging in exchange for less weight and size.
Thanks for the comments about 20W chargers. My experience has been a bit different. I ran the battery empty. Dead, laptop didn’t turn on at all. Plugged in a 20W apple ipad charger. No yellow charging light. Waited a minute, nothing. Plugged in a 65W charger, yellow light came on immediately, turned laptop on a few seconds later. Dunno whether leaving the 20W charger connected for a bunch of minutes would have fixed it…
I’ve used a range of chargers from old 5v 2A ones to 16/20W/30W and 100W ones.
They all put charge in but anything below 25W will struggle (YMMV due to inherent charging tech inside) to add charge while the laptop is running to any degree.
I keep a small cube like Anker 30W in my laptop bag for on the go use. That will hold the charge where it is (even during heavy use) and up it slowly at idle. Charges nicely when switched off however.
The lower wattage chargers do get rather warm though as they are working really hard.
Side note I still have my new One+ Nord3 80W mega fast charger to test with it…
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Does that charger support USB PD? Just wondering if the laptop wasn’t able to negotiate a compatible voltage/amperage from that charger, rather than 20W simply not being enough.
I only ask because I have a tiny, GaN, 20W charger and it charges my Framework 13. I got it because it is barely larger than just a normal cord end, but can charge pretty much anything I have, as long as I’m okay with the laptop charging slowly.
I get that this is a preference, but I have to be honest, that Framework gives us a grounded power supply says a lot about the quality and longevity they are trying to represent. This is one of many gold stars I see from Framework.
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I have charged my 11th gen framework 13 laptop off a 5V 1A usb type A port on a portable battery pack made before usb type c was a thing (using a usb type A to usb type C cable). Naturally the laptop has to be off to actually charge off such limited power.
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Did it take 11 hours to charge the 55wh battery at 5w?
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Hah! I left it charging over night so I don’t know how long it took, but the portable battery pack died when my framework was only ~60% charged, so it never finished the full charge anyway.