Don't use your car's USB ports to charge your laptop — Do this instead
The USB port in your car is likely not powerful enough to charge your laptop, but there are other options.
It may seem convenient to charge your laptop using your car's USB port, but this is generally not recommended. Most car USB ports are designed for charging phones or playing media, not for powering laptops. The charging speeds are typically slow, often around 5W to 7.5W, whereas modern laptops like the MacBook Air M5 require 40W to 70W for fast charging.
To ensure your laptop charges efficiently, look for a charger that matches your laptop's required wattage. This information is usually found on your laptop's power adapter or brick. Some newer vehicles, especially electric cars, might have more powerful USB-C ports capable of charging laptops, but you should verify this by checking the port label or your vehicle's owner manual.
A more reliable solution is to use a 12V USB-C PD charger that plugs into your car's accessory outlet, commonly known as the cigarette lighter. These chargers generally deliver more power than the standard USB ports. Just ensure the charger's wattage rating matches or exceeds your laptop's needs. Alternatively, a power inverter can be used to provide a full AC outlet, allowing you to plug in your laptop's wall charger directly.
If using the car's charging setup isn't feasible, consider a laptop-friendly power bank designed for charging laptops. Select a model with a wattage rating that matches or exceeds your laptop's requirements. Always check the charger's specifications and compare them with your laptop's power needs to ensure compatibility and efficient charging.
Written by urgent.news from Engadget's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
