Found a Smaller AC Adapter

I posted this in a general forum, but since it's just a one week sale, and many of us Sony owners (I have an S460) have huge AC adapters, I thought it made sense to post it here too. This AC adapter is working well so far as a replacement for the 19.5V, 4.7A adapter that came with my S460. If you have the 17" widescreen model, that I think comes with a 6+ amp adapter, I don't think this is a solution for you. But with that big a laptop, the size of the adapter isn't that big a deal compared with my 13" widescreen S460.

I just picked up a Targus APA10US universal AC adapter at Best Buy for $40 after $20 rebate (on sale this week). And so far, it seems to work great with my Sony S460 (almost same as S380). And since it's universal, it works with many other brands and models too.

Compared to the adapter that came with my Sony, this one is almost 1/2 the size (I measured 44% smaller). It measures (WxLxH) 1.81 x 3.94 x 1.13" vs. 2.38 x 5.38 x 1.13" for the Sony. The weight is claimed to be 7.5oz (not sure about Sony). While it's smaller, I estimate by feel that it doesn't weigh a whole lot different from the Sony.

While the photos of it at Best Buy and Targus are similar, the one I got is a bit different, packaged different, and smaller.

Targus calls it a 70 Watt model, with 80 Watts peak. The unit itself is marked as 65 Watts. The Sony supply is 90 Watts. It comes with two tips for Sony models (8 total tips), #11 and #12. With tip #11, I measured the output voltage at 16.48V (always measure to check voltage and make sure polarity is correct). With #12, I measured 20.31V. The Sony adapter is rated at 19.5V, but I measured 19.65V. With tip #11, the laptop did not power up at all, so I guess Sony has a minimum voltage detector inside the notebook. I didn't like the idea of going higher than 19.65V, but this was measured without load (will be less with load) and it was only 4% above spec, and I figure anything less than 5% off should be fine. Anyway, the notebook powered up fine.

Since this is a smaller wattage supply than the one that came with the notebook, it's important to make sure it doesn't overheat and become a possible fire hazzard. I ran the notebook at full speed and watched a DVD. The Targus does get warm, but not bad at all. It's a bit warmer than the Sony adapter as expected, but a little cooler than the top of the S460 case, and much cooler than the bottom of the S460. So I think it's fine.

The adapter tips are right angle, which is great. But they are pretty big, so it's not as big a deal.

Anyway, think I'll keep it. It's quite a bit smaller, "universal", and just $40. I'll keep running it longer to make sure no heat problems show up.

 

the S460 adapter runs really cool, that is why sony upped it, i don't think droping your adapter down that many watts the best idea, it maybe fine for normal use, but it will go crazy on intesive use, like videogames.