Even an old laptop can be connected to a power bank: here's how to do it

During and after shelling of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the lights are often turned off, and people are left without the ability to use technology. Many Ukrainians want to know if it is possible to charge a laptop from a power bank to work or entertain themselves without electricity in the network.

Which power bank for a laptop can be used

It is important to understand that you can charge a laptop from a power bank only if the battery is of a certain type – not all devices are suitable for such purposes. Is it possible to charge a laptop from a power bank if you bought a power bank 10000? Hardly, because such a “weak” battery is simply not capable of filling the battery of a powerful device. It is better to charge less demanding gadgets – watches, headphones, phones and tablets.

A quality power bank for a laptop should be:

• with an output voltage of at least 20 V;
• with an output current of at least 2 A
• with an output power of at least 40 W;
• with a large battery capacity.

For example, a 20,000 mAh power bank will only partially charge a laptop, but a 30,000 mAh power bank will definitely be able to power the device up to 100% and also leave some energy to charge other devices.

How to charge a laptop from a power bank – connection nuances

Depending on the laptop model you have, the methods for connecting the battery also vary. There are 2 options in total:

• through a USB 3.1 port marked D/Display Port or a “plug” icon;
• using an adapter and through the power connector.

The first option, as you understand, is suitable for new laptop models, but older devices, which usually have a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port, can be charged via a power bank only with an adapter.

Simply put, if your laptop is not the latest model, buy an adapter, one end of which will need to be inserted into the power bank and the other into the laptop. In the case of more modern models, everything is simpler – they have a standard Type-C connector, you only need the appropriate cable.

How to charge a laptop from a power bank – safety rules

In order to protect yourself and your equipment from unnecessary problems, it is important to know how not to power a laptop from a power bank, because many people do not know such elementary rules.

Firstly, not all ports on a laptop are suitable for charging – if you insert the cable in the wrong place, there is a chance that the power bank will be charged, not the laptop, sometimes such an error can even lead to damage to the battery, so before inserting the charging structure, pay attention to marking.

Secondly, never use a homemade power bank for a laptop – no one can guarantee the safety of both the battery and the laptop. In addition, it is always important to take the original branded charger, because all sorts of “nonames” can burn out on their own at best, and at worst – burn the laptop battery.

Third tip – do not try to charge the laptop battery from the power bank by disconnecting it from the laptop. The device is assembled in this way for a reason – by depriving the battery of protective components, you can provoke an overly aggressive effect of the battery on it, which will simply cause it to fail.

If you follow the above recommendations, then there will definitely be no problems with how to charge a laptop from a power bank.