Everything You Need to Know About Laptop Power Banks
Power banks have become very popular these days. They come in different shapes and sizes and have different prices.
Choosing a power bank that suits your specific purpose is very difficult. On the other hand, understanding what each feature means and whether the way you use it affects its performance may not be so easy.
Power banks come in different shapes and sizes and other battery technologies. All this means you should consider a few points when buying the right power bank for personal use.
When buying a power bank, you should pay attention to various points. Some essential and critical items are:
Compatible with different charging capacities
The required capacity is one of the most essential points to consider when buying or choosing a power bank. Think about what needs to be charged because a tablet needs more charging, smile a smartphone. Also, some smdemandnes demand more than others. Take a look at your smartphone’s specs to find out. The battery capacity is explained in the battery section.
A charge is measured in milliampere hours (mAh); Therefore, 1000 mAh battery supplies 1000 mAh, i.e., 1 amp, for one hour. Old phones probably had a capacity of less than 1000 mAh, but modern phones can total up to 3000 mAh. For example, an iPhone has a battery capacity of 2716 mAh.
For complete charging, the capacity of the power bank should be slightly higher than the capacity of the device to be charged. It is always better to have an extra charge to ensure the device is fully charged.
It is worth noting that tablets have much larger batteries, so you will need a larger power bank if you want to charge your tablet.
Power bank output charging current.
When buying a power bank, it is essential to consider its charging speed. This parameter affects the charging time.
You can estimate the required amount from the chargers that come with the device. Most small devices only need about half an amp of charging current; phones may need about one amp and tablets about 2.5 amps of charging.
A device with fast charging capability will consume more current, for example, around three amps.
It is usually written on the power banks what current they can provide. In fact, the lower the maximum current that a power supply can provide, the longer it takes to charge the device. Some larger power banks have several outputs; the capacity of each production is specified and often written on the power bank. However, note that if a device has multiple results, the power may not be able to deliver the maximum current to all results simultaneously.
So if you want to have fast charging time, buy a power bank with high output current. Don’t worry if your phone or device can’t get the maximum current; it will only take what it can handle.
Number of ports
The old power banks had only one output port, but because people use them increasingly and want to charge several devices simultaneously, many larger models have two or more ports. It was placed. Just check if the output current is enough for each port. Also, remember that if multiple devices are charged simultaneously, the power bank may not provide the maximum current to each port. The full total output current is divided between the outputs and reduces the charging speed of the devices.
Size and weight
Size and weight are essential when buying a power bank, mainly if you use it on a trip. The larger the capacity of the power bank, the bigger and heavier it will be.
Lithium-ion battery compared to lithium polymer
Two leading battery technologies are used for power banks; One is lithium-ion, and the other is polymer lithium. Although they are very similar in many ways, they have a few minor differences. Lithium-ion type has a high power density, no memory effect or battery effect (i.e., when charging batteries becomes more complex over time), and they cost much less than lithium polymer. Lithium polymer batteries are usually more robust, flexible, and last longer. They are lightweight and less known, and electrolyte leakage is less possible.
Some specifications of power banks indicate that they are lithium-ion or lithium polymer, but not all.
Charging connections
Although the output of power banks is almost mostly USB type A (a large USB connector used to connect with USB chargers, flash memory drives, etc.), the connector used to charge the power bank is different.
Usually, the power connections are a micro-USB and sometimes a mini-USB. Still, recently a lightning connector has been installed so that it can be charged with the Apple charger and reduce the number of wires needed.
How to charge a power bank
It should be noted that you have to charge the power bank itself. The higher the capacity, the longer it will take. If you only have a 1 amp charger and the power bank has a total of 5000 mAh, it will take five hours to charge because not all the charge that goes into the power bank is converted into a stored account. The efficiency is probably 80% or more, so it will take longer.
Connecting wires
When buying a power bank, don’t forget the connecting wires. All power banks do not have a wire connector for charging devices from the power bank or for charging the power bank itself. Significantly cheaper power banks may not have such a wire.
Extra light
Some power banks have a light that is added to the device. This light usually turns on after pressing the on or off button once or twice, so it can be used as a flashlight with a large battery in the back. Whether you need these features or not is up to you.
Warning: Due to the high power density level and the problems caused by the lithium battery of a specific type of mobile phone, some airlines have only allowed one series of lithium batteries to be on the plane. This issue also includes power banks, so be aware of this when using giant power banks on your trip.
Power banks are helpful, mainly if you constantly use a tablet, smartphone, or other rechargeable digital device. Accessing an electrical outlet for charging is not always possible, so having a portable power bank is a logical solution. Since there are many power banks in the market, paying attention to these points before buying will help you.
Five additional tips for buying a laptop power bank
1- Charging capacity
The charging capacity of a power bank is measured in milliampere hours (mAh) and is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a laptop power bank.
Laptops have large batteries, so much mAh capacity is needed to charge a battery fully. For this reason, we recommend you go for a power bank with a total of at least 20,000 mAh. This amount should be enough to recharge most laptops.
2- Output and input charging
You ensure that your power bank has a high charge output and better input. The higher the output ampere, the faster your laptop will charge. Similarly, the higher the input amp, the quicker your power bank will charge.
If you want to transfer energy from your power bank to your laptop, get a device with high-watt output power. This way, you can fully charge your laptop quickly and avoid occupying space with a large power bank on your desk.
3- Brand name
A laptop power bank from a reputable brand will probably have better Quality and more features than a power bank from a lesser-known brand.
Once you’ve identified a reputable brand, read customer reviews about specific models. Pay attention to users’ opinions about the power bank’s durability and safety. Good power banks do not face problems such as overcharging and overheating.
4- The number and type of ports
Pay attention to the output ports of the power bank. You must ensure it has the necessary ports to charge your various devices. USB-C, Micro USB, and Lightning are among the most common ports of power banks.
Some laptop power banks allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously, so look for a power bank with multiple USB ports, including USB-C and USB-A.
Many people use power banks with USB-C output to charge their laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Most small devices, such as phones, headphones, and wireless mice, also support USB-A charging.
Power banks with USB-C ports that support Power Delivery (PD) technology have the fastest charging (output) and recharging (input) speeds.
5- Build Quality
Power banks made of cheap materials such as low-quality plastics and low-quality materials are more vulnerable to damage.
It would help to have a strong power bank to withstand possible shocks and weather hazards. It would help if you chose models whose covers are made of more complex materials, such as silicone rubber, polycarbonate, and anodized aluminum.