Thinkpads Forum

Fellow ThinkPadders,

I have a question as it pertains to power supplies.

I now have a work issued W520 that requires a 170w power supply.
I also have in my fleet a T420, T61, X61 and a X61s. I typically just keep a 90w PS out to charge whichever laptop I am using.
Is it safe for me to use the 170w PS on the other laptop models listed?

Thanks for the input on this.

Yes, as long as the output voltage is the same (i.e. 20VDC).
But what I don't know is, if the power management software on T61 and X61 notices that there is a 170W charger, instead of the 65W and 90W it is 'used' to, and says as much when you check that software.
It won't have any adverse effects though.

Thanks RBS.
I'll check things out tonight, I appreciate the info.

A friend of mine used my 135W adapter of my W510 to charge her X131.. It worked, and the laptop charged very quickly

170 watts adapter is not compatible with any other thinkpads other than the W520 and W530 quad core i7 models.

It has output: DC 20V 8.5A 170W
The output voltage is identical, the DC jack is identical, the adapter's DC connector is identical, why would it not work?
You don't 'overload' a laptop by using a larger than standard/required AC adapter!
The circuit will just take what it needs.

Same as using the 12V battery from an 18-wheeler to start up your FIAT 500.