Best Power Adapter

Table of Contents

How to Choose the Best Laptop Power Adapter for Your Computer

Laptops Use DC Power
All laptops use Direct Current (DC) power to operate. DC is electrical energy that flows consistently in one direction. Ideally, the power flows into the laptop. Most wall outlets use Alternating Current (AC), which varies constantly, but results in a positive flow of current. Laptops can't work on this kind of power, so an adapter is required to convert the wall outlet's current to DC power.

The adapter is the small, heavy black box connected to the cables between the laptop and wall outlet when charging the laptop battery. These devices are what make it possible for the laptop to use the AC power from a standard wall outlet. There are also DC adapters for those power outlets that do provide DC power.

Types of Adapters for Laptops
Laptops rely on two main types of power adapters for energy: the AC adapter and the DC Adapter. These adapters, also known aschargers, are what help convert the electricity from the wall outlet into a form that's usable for the laptop.

AC Adapter
The AC adapter converts AC power from a wall outlet found in most homes to the DC power used by most small appliances. Laptops,cell phones, computers, and DVD players all use DC power. This is the kind of power provided by batteries, which most laptops use to keep running when the owner is mobile.

DC Adapter
Laptops use DC power, so it doesn't seem like a DC adapter is necessary when plugging into a DC power source. However, most sources of DC power provide a voltage that is too low for the needs of a laptop. A DC power adapter is required to take that power and convert it to a higher voltage that the laptop can use to charge its battery or run. DC power sources include cars, in-flight outlets, andsolar power panels or batteries.