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    Thinkpad T520 Slim Power Adapter for Quad Core?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by chicagonyc, May 25, 2011.

  1. chicagonyc

    chicagonyc Notebook Enthusiast

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    I recently received my new Thinkpad T520 with 1920x1080 resolution and a Core i7-2720QM quad processor, and have been very happy with it. However, I was just shocked at the size of the power adapter brick that came with it. It's a 120 Watt model.

    Looking online, I noticed Lenovo sells a slim adapter, but in the notes, it says it's only compatible with dual-core T520?!

    Any ideas for a somewhat more portable workstation?
     
  2. pkincy

    pkincy Notebook Evangelist

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    Not with the quad core. You need the power to work and charge.

    Now if you charge only at night with the computer off, the smaller brick should work.

    Perry
     
  3. chicagonyc

    chicagonyc Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yikes! Had I known, I might have not gotten the quad.

    Is there ANYTHING slimmer available? Or is 90 Watts simply not enough?
     
  4. Jesper Juul

    Jesper Juul Notebook Consultant

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    As far as I know you could also use the 135W PSU, it's smaller than the 170W version, but weighs a little more, but thats about it.
     
  5. chicagonyc

    chicagonyc Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah, the 135W PSU is the one I have, and it's scary big. Is the 170W as big as a house?

    What would happen if I used the 90W while working?
     
  6. bogatyr

    bogatyr Notebook Evangelist

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    On the W520 quad core, the 90W doesn't even register as being plugged in at all. I use the 135W but I receive a 170W with it and it's a brick... literally.
     
  7. Jesper Juul

    Jesper Juul Notebook Consultant

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    Ohh yes, if you think the 135W is big, you're not going to like the 170W version.

    The 90W won't work at all on the W520, but if the computer is shut down it will charge it.
     
  8. avi10000

    avi10000 Notebook Geek

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    The only thing I can suggest is that if you usually work in just two places, i.e., your home and just one place of work, then you can buy an extra charger and keep so one charger at home and the other at work, and so you never have to carry it with you. That's what I do (and my charger is a lot smaller than yours - I have a TP SL510).

    - avi


     
  9. chicagonyc

    chicagonyc Notebook Enthusiast

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    That's fine but for travel ... argh ... I just had no idea that the brick would be this big when I ordered the laptop.