Generic Thinkpad AC Adapters?

Hey,
Was wondering if anyone has any experience (good or bad) with generic thinkpad ac adapters, the kind you see on ebay very cheap. Is there a reason I should stay away from them and pay at least three times for an original?

(like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/90W-Power-C...686135?hash=item4d2fd0aab7:g:Eo4AAOSwPhdVE6ez )

Thanks

 

Genuine ones can be found for a few dollars more, but genuine adapters are usually better quality than aftermarket ones, especially the generic no-name ones. Do a little searching.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-90W...hash=item27fce82d4d:m:mec_kftuCPlxtgpy2StL-Aw

EDIT: Looks like your link was in CAD. The link I posted was in USD, but it still should not be that much more, maybe double in price but still worth it for a genuine adapter.

 

Thanks, I'll try to get an original!

 

I've always spent like $14-$16 or so on mine from ebay, not sure if its genuine or not. I use my T420 a lot, about every 9-12 months the end of the cable starts to lose connection and time for a new charger lol

 

Towlieee, I guess maybe that answers the question then.. The original one is going strong 6 years and counting so far with no issues.

 

Personally, I always make sure the adapter is genuine. That said, often Lenovo will use the same voltage and plug for their adapters, so it's possible to use an adapter meant for another model as long as the amperage is the same or higher. I use a M6600 adapter with my M6700 at the office rather than the one that came with the laptop (it stays in the bag). Heck, I even use the M6600 one with a tip adapter for my XPS 15 and it works like a charm (19.5V same as the original XPS adapter, higher amperage).

The cheap ones are usually cheaper because they use cheaper components and may even have missing components in them. I personally never mess with power supplies, desktop or laptop and go for a good quality one rather than a cheap one because if the power supply goes, it can take other things with it. Most OEM power bricks are made by companies like Delta (for Dell I know it's Delta) that have a reputation for making good quality products.

 

OEM are always better, but maybe depends on the cost and how old the laptop is. I have an old MAC and just got a generic adapter for cheap and it works fine.

 

I would add that Dell also uses Lite-On for PSUs.

John

 

Might have to do with wattage and whoever is cheaper. In any case, both are reputable and will include the proper circuitry. Just checked, the XPS 15 130W adapter is made by Delta. I'm aussming your Latitudes have LiteON adapters?

While I am all for saving some bucks. I would still advise to be somewhat careful with cheap power supplies. OEM ones can be pricy and there are some good cheaper ones that provide the same specs, even from the same companies that manufactured the OEM one. However, beware the really cheap ones. Some pretty bad shenanigans occur for desktop and USB power supplies, so you can be sure it will happen for laptop PSUs as well. Basically, if it looks too good to be true, it likely is.

http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html

 

You guessed correctly: I've got 65W and 90W (latest design with rounded sides) both made by Liteon. However, I've just checked the 90W PSU (same physical shape) which came with my E5570 and that one is made by Delta. Dell usually has two sources for components.

John

 

Use genuine ThinkPad AC adapters. They are correct for your machine, and less likely to cause damage to your motherboard or other components, and they're made for your laptop.

 

I tend to buy used OEM power adapters. If that is not an option, I buy the cheapest generic adapters I can find. They do die a lot more often than genuine adapters, but I have never had one cause any damage and their super cheap price means you don't care and can have at least one spare.

 

I know I'm bumping a way old thread, sorry lol

but I'm sure a factory one, or even one of these knock of ones would last a long time, but I abused my T420, it's in my laptop through like 90% of its life, the cord getting all twisted around, I think I'm doing good only going through a charger every 9-12 months or so. My chargers have never actually fried, its just the end slowly quits making contact from being bent around so much, so I just order another cheap one. A OEM one might hold up longer, I wouldn't doubt if they did, but I'm sure I could still wear one out pretty fast

Just a couple nights ago after seeing how cheap T420's and other thinkpads are going on ebay, I was considering snagging a 2nd one just as back up, toss a SSD and 1tB drive in it, some more ram, be good to go with two of em =P

edit: In the 4 years of having my nearly 6 year old T420, I've used it daily 8-16 hours a day, I've dropped it, I've spilled tons of drinks across it, and it just keeps on ticking lol
Usually I take care of my treasures, but for how cheap I got it, and how much use I get out of it, I don't worry about it, I just use it and put it away wet
Still have my factory 94wh battery that gives me a couple hours of internet surfing, and the factory WD 320gB is still being used in my X's laptop after her 6 month old brand new toshiba laptops drive died lol