Samsung x60 power adaptor went pop

Hi All,

The power pack on my two month old x60 plus expired yesterday. It went pop and there was a flash of light and a slight smell, then all the other computers around my desk went out - oops!

I have a quick question, whilst I'm waiting for Samsung's service agent to send me a new power supply (which apparently they are doing). Does anyone know if there are any smaller power supplies around for this laptop, it adds a considerable amount to the total weight of the laptop and it would be great to have something about half the weight...

Cheers
Dave

 

I agree that the X60's PSU is a bit large for a relatively lightweight notebook. However, the 90W rating is there for a reason. I have got a power meter and have measured over 80W power drain. The X60 is set to recharge the battery at up to 40W, while the hardware can easily draw over 50W under full load. The big PSU is an unwanted by-product of the powerful CPU and GPU although I would have settled for a size small PSU and a lower battery recharge rate.

Unfortunately, Samsung's next size down PSU is only 60W (as supplied with computers such as the Q35 which have integrated graphics). 75W would be a compromise, if only it were available.

The 60W PSU's plug fits the X60 and you would probably be OK if you can ensure that the battery does not try to recharge when the computer is running. I'm prepared to try most things but a drew a line at trying to run the X60 on my Q35's PSU and seeing what happened if I pushed the load beyond 60W. If the recharge rate drops (as I saw on my Q35 - see my review) then no problem, but if the PSU gets fried, that's inconvenient.

One good thing about the 60W PSU is that the mains cable is thinner and lighter (see my Q35 review for a comparison of size and weight). It's not designed for an electric kettle. I'm not sure how easy it is to get a spare Samsung 60W PSU - I recall seeing the 90W PSU as being advertised as the spare for computers which only need the 60W PSU.

The alternative is to look for a third party PSU. I've got three different ones at home with a selection of plugs , but none fit Samsung notebooks. This is somewhat inconvenient if you are far from home and the PSU blows. The workaround is to splash out on a second PSU. That is what I've done. So no carrying it back and forwards every day between home and work and, when I am far from home, I know that a spare PSU isn't far away. For good measure I have a surge protector on the inlet to the PSU. I did have a nearly new PSU blow up on me a few years back when I was far from home, which put the computer out of action. Once bitten, twice shy.

John

 

I have found a power supply to let me use the machine whilst I get a new OEM one, you're right about the connectors - the samsung one is pretty rare.

The universal power adaptor I've bought is made by a company called Vanson. It's huge, ugly and noisy (it has its own fan), but it works

 

quick update - my new psu turned up yesterday - 18-04-07

Apparently the stockists of psus, had a stock problem...

 

I'm sure they could have sourced one in Europe and had it couriered to you. My replacement ODD came to me directly from the Samsung European ODD people in the Netherlands becasue I was about to leave UK, but the old ODD went back to the UK agents.

John