Why You Should Ditch Your Laptop Charger for a GaN Travel Adapter

The Ugreen 160W Nexode Pro GaN charger allows users to replace multiple device-specific power bricks with a single high-capacity unit capable of powering laptops, tablets, and phones simultaneously. According to PCWorld, the charger costs $65 and utilizes Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology to provide high wattage in a compact form factor.

Mark Hachman of PCWorld notes that the versatility of these chargers makes the practice of carrying original equipment manufacturer (OEM) laptop bricks increasingly unnecessary for most business travelers.

USB-C Charging Compatibility and Power Distribution

Most modern laptops now support charging via USB-C, even those that include a proprietary barrel charger, such as recent Lenovo IdeaPad models, according to PCWorld. The Ugreen 160W Nexode Pro provides enough total power to sustain multiple devices at once, though the specific port used determines the maximum wattage delivered to a single device.

Hachman advises users to check the icons on the charger ports, as power delivery is not identical across all outputs. While the 160W total capacity is sufficient for standard productivity laptops, there are technical limitations for high-performance hardware.

Performance Limits for Gaming Laptops

High-end gaming laptops may still require their original OEM power bricks during intensive tasks. PCWorld reports that while gaming laptops can be charged via USB-C, they often cannot receive enough power to keep the CPU and GPU running at full capacity during prolonged gaming sessions.

Even with a 240W GaN charger connected to a 240W Thunderbolt 5 port, a high-end laptop may still pull power from its internal battery to sustain peak performance, leading to a slow drain of the battery even while plugged in, according to Hachman.

Hardware Trade-offs and Cable Management

The primary drawback of standard GaN chargers is their design as a wall-wart transformer. Because the plug is attached directly to the charger body, the device can be cumbersome when used with power strips or wall sockets, which Hachman describes as plopping down like a big, ungainly bar of soap.

This design can lead to a cluttered arrangement of cables behind desks or beds. To mitigate this, PCWorld suggests two alternatives:

• Using a travel power strip to provide a longer cord between the wall outlet and the charger.
• Opting for GaN charger models that include a short attached cord, such as a $23.99 alternative mentioned by Hachman.

The transition to multipurpose GaN chargers mirrors previous shifts in tech habits, such as the 2019 transition where Microsoft Defender’s improvements reduced the necessity for paid third-party antivirus subscriptions, according to PCWorld.