Different power supplies?

Is there any reason I shouldn't use the old power cable from my old Dell laptop with my new HP DV5t? The output on the brick says 19.5V on the Dell and 19V on the HP. (is there really much difference?)

I don't want to fry my new pc, but it would make it easier to swap out the notebooks on the desk rather than have more cords plugged in.

Thanks.

 

I wouldn't try it, unless I was sure it wouldnt damage the mobo.. The power outputs might be different, the connectors could be wired differently, might not even fit. One issue that you will be sure to find is that the Dell adapter will not go in.. There is a small communication pin in the center of each dell connector, for which a corresponding hole wouldnt be there on the socket of the HP.

 

you wont be able to use the power brick on the hp. Almost every laptop these days has a power brick recognition. If you plug in a different power brick, it will not work properly. Plus, the ac power input port is probably different on both power adaptors.
The best thing to do, is to just buy a second powoer brick for your hp, I would imagine that the power brick is probably about $50, so it wouldnt be a killer to buy another.

I have been looking for another power brick for my laptop, its about 5lbs, and I would rather get a second one, but it costs like $175.

K-TRON

 

Thanks for the replies. I didn't even try to plug it in until checking with the experts, so I didn't realize they were a different configuration. I guess I'll have to make room on the crowded desk for another brick/power cord. We'll be using both notebooks since one is still running XP.

 

"Recognition" ?? I don't tihnk they have serial numbers or anything...

Anyway, I bought a Kensington universal supply off eBay a couple weeks ago, it just arrived today.

http://cgi.ebay.com/KENSINGTON-90W-...64471QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

It's a model 33403, and it runs my HP dv5z just fine, using tip "I".

It has a two-position switch to select output voltage - 17-21V on one setting, and 14-17 on the other. Came with 10 tips. Tip "C" works on my Asus M6Ne.

 

highland, the laptop can recognize power supply off of the output voltage and the current which it carries. If the voltage or amperage is not the same as a standard power supply, the system will reject it and not use the power adaptor.

If I plug a dell 1405 power brick into my 1505, my system will say that the power brick is incompatible. The same happens with my lenovo and clevo series.

K-TRON

 

5 lbs! More than the notebook itself!

Well, if you can find a universal notebook adapter that is compatible with it (look at the web sites of Targus, Kensington, and Igo--they all have features to check which of their adapters work with which notebooks, using which tips), that would make a lot more sense. For instance, you could use the same adapter with other notebooks you may have in the future, and any others that you have now.

Also, most now have a feature (usually requiring purchasing additional parts) that you can charge cell phone, MP3 player, bluetooth headset, PDA, etc., from the same adapter, at the same time you are charging your notebook. They have AC-DC models too, which can be used in the car as well as at home.

As the other poster wrote, you can usually find MUCH lower prices on these universal adapters on E-bay, clearance sites (open box items, etc.) than at the regular retail prices.