Using friend's thinkpad AC Adapters...potential problems?

[jwthinkpad]

Hi everyone, question about using friend's/colleague's AC adapters.

I live with 2 other roommate who have thinkpads
I have x60 tablet (90W AC)
one has x61 tablet (65W AC)
one has T61 (90W AC)

We often share power adapters. I would often use my friend's AC adapter if it happens to be by the couch or somewhere close.

Question is: are all the AC adapter made for thinkpads interchangeable?

-if there's no one-AC-fits-all, what adapter models fit x60/x61/T61?

Thanks,
JW

[RealBlackStuff]

As long as all 3 put out 20V, you should be fine.
It would be best however, NOT to use the 65W adapter on the T61.
Some T61 came with 65W, others with 90W, but I don't know what criteria decides which type gets what.

Targus (amongst others) makes a general adapter that can accommodate many laptops.

[Tõnis]

The 65 watt adapter that came with my R61 is the exact same type as the one that came with my Lenovo 3000N100. I also have the Lenovo 90 watt travel adapter.

[rkawakami]

Some T61 came with 65W, others with 90W, but I don't know what criteria decides which type gets what.

My understanding is that it depends on whether the system has integrated (GMA; 65W) or discrete (NVIDIA; 90W) graphic controllers.

[jwthinkpad]

My understanding is that it depends on whether the system has integrated (GMA; 65W) or discrete (NVIDIA; 90W) graphic controllers.

Interesting idea...my X60 has integrated graphics and I'm using the 90W.

[rkawakami]

My comment about the 65W vs. 90W adapter was about the T6x systems. The tabook references the graphics subsystem when it describes which adapter is included with the laptop. Apparently the NVidia and ATI graphic chips requires more power than the Intel GMA. You can certainly power a laptop that was designed for a 65W supply using a 90W supply, but the reverse is not usually recommended.

[robert213]

Rule of thumb of AC Power Adapter...

Determine Voltage and Watt/Amp requirements of appliance (Computer, Radio, Printer, etc)

Examine output specs of AC Power Adapter.
a) Current (AC/DC) must match exactly
b) Polarity must match exactly
c) Voltage must match exactly
d) Watt/Amp of AC Power Adapter must be greater than or equal to req'ts of applicance


Side note:
I tried to use a multi-purpose AC Power Adapter (designed for stereo, CD player, etc) to power my Linksys cable modem. I set adapter to correct voltage and it exceeded required mA(s). It did not provide steady uniform DC power (Cable modem kept recycling itself off/on).

I switched to another AC Power Adapter (identical voltage, higher mA(s)) from recycling center from broken Netgear router. My cable modem works perfectly.