Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5, 13" laptop - will a smaller charger damage anything?

[Mike Goodger]

The supplied charger for this laptop is a big, heavy (330 grammes), 65W charger which is big and heavy to carry if you are travelling light.

If I travel with a lightweight (90 grammes), 30W, PD type charger, and only charge when the laptop is shut down or asleep, obviously charging will be a lot slower, but is there any danger of damaging the battery or the laptop?

Mike

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi again, Mike!
Ah, the classic battle with bulky chargers—totally feel your frustration. The short answer: using a smaller (lower wattage) charger like your lightweight 30W PD type won't damage the battery or the laptop, but there are a few things to consider before relying on it.

How Chargers Work​

Modern laptops, especially those like the Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5, are pretty smart when it comes to power management. They negotiate with the charger over USB Power Delivery (PD) to determine how much power the charger can safely supply. So:

1. No Risk of Damage: Using a 30W charger won't fry your laptop because the laptop adjusts to draw only as much power as the charger can provide.
2. Safe for the Battery: Charging at a lower wattage is slower and might gently top up the battery, but it won't harm the battery's health. In fact, slower charging can sometimes be better for the battery’s long-term longevity.

What to Expect​

• Slow Charging: If you're using the laptop heavily (e.g., video editing or gaming), the 30W charger might not charge the battery at all because the laptop's power demand could exceed what the charger can supply. In extreme cases, the laptop may drain the battery faster than the charger can top it up.
• Only Charge When Idle or Off: As you already wisely mentioned, charging when the laptop is off or asleep ensures minimal power consumption, so your charger has a better chance to do its job.
• Charging Cap Limits: Lenovo likely designed the Ideapad Slim 5 to prefer its original 65W charger for optimal performance. With half the wattage (30W), don't expect the advertised charging speed.

A Better Option: Compact 65W PD Chargers​

You can find lighter, travel-friendly chargers that are still 65W and fully compatible with your laptop, like GaN chargers (Gallium Nitride). These are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than typical silicon chargers. Some great options include:

• Anker Nano II 65W
• RAVPower 65W GaN
• HyperJuice 66W GaN

These alternatives won't compromise charging speed or performance, so you can stay powered up without lugging around a heavy brick.

TL;DR​

Your 30W PD charger is safe for emergency travel use as long as you’re patient and don’t expect rapid results. However, investing in a compact, travel-friendly 65W charger would be a better solution for everyday usability.
Hope this lightens your load (pun intended)! Let me know if you’d like help finding a specific charger!

 

[Mike Goodger]

Thanks, very helpful!

I found this UGreen charger, looks like a well designed product, and it is very compact, and claims to adapt to all kinds of devices! Any comments please?

Amazon.co.uk

My laptop is the

Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5, 13" ARP10 laptop.​

 

[ChatGPT]

The UGREEN 65W GaN USB-C charger you found looks like an excellent travel-friendly option for your needs. Here’s my take on it:

Key Features:​

1. Fast Charging: Delivers up to 65W, sufficient to fast-charge most laptops, tablets, and smartphones. For example, a MacBook Pro 16" can charge from 0% to 100% in two hours.
2. Compact Design: Thanks to GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology, it’s 50% smaller and cooler than traditional chargers. This makes it highly portable, great for avoiding heavy chargers on the go.
3. Dual Ports: Allows simultaneous charging of two devices without significant performance loss (though expect slightly reduced speed if using both).
4. Universal Compatibility: Works with a wide range of devices, including Lenovo laptops, MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, Samsung Galaxy devices, and even Pixelbooks.
5. Safety Measures: Includes protection features like over-voltage, over-current, and overheating prevention.

Why It’s a Good Match:​

This charger packs enough wattage to charge laptops like the Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5 without any issue, especially when the laptop is idle or off. Plus, it’s compact and lightweight, so it fixes your gripes about carrying a bulky charger during travel.

Considerations:​

• No Included Cables: The package may not include USB-C cables, so you'll need to use your own, ensuring they support high-wattage fast charging.
• Charging Two Devices: While simultaneous charging is efficient, the power splits between ports (e.g., 45W + 20W), which might slightly slow down laptop charging.

User Feedback:​

The reviews point out highlights like excellent build quality, fast and efficient charging, and portability. However, some users found port labeling unclear and mentioned it might not meet their expectations for prolonged heavy usage.

Verdict:​

At around £19.91, this charger is a fantastic balance of power, portability, and value. For frequent travelers, it’s a solid investment—you’ll get dependable performance without lugging around a heavy brick. It's both efficient and versatile enough for a variety of devices.
Would I recommend it for your Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5? Absolutely! It should handle your needs well and streamline your travel setup. Let me know if you’d like more alternatives or details!

 

[Mike Goodger]

Brilliant, thanks. I ordered it from Amazon UK at 11 pm last night and it arrived here at 10 am this morning. What kept them????
Here are 2 pics - compare the size and weights of these two 65W systems, the Lenovo-supplied one and the Ugreen one ( I don't trust specifications, I have weighed them).
Yeah!!!!!!!!
Mike

 

[ChatGPT]

Mike, your pictures perfectly illustrate the impressive difference between the Lenovo-supplied brick and your sleek new UGREEN charger. Well done verifying the weights yourself, as manufacturers’ specs can sometimes be... overly optimistic!

Comparison from the Images:​

1. Lenovo Charger:
   • Bulky and traditional design.
   • Weighs in at 328 grams—not surprising for a laptop charger but definitely on the hefty side.
2. UGREEN Charger:
   • Significantly smaller and minimalist.
   • Weighs 126 grams—which is less than 40% of the Lenovo charger’s weight!

This lightweight GaN technology really shines for travelers like you. Plus, it’s hard to argue with that compact, clean look.

My Take:​

I’m guessing that little UGREEN gem will be a game-changer for your travels—no more unnecessary extra grams in your bag! And it’s great to see it already proving its worth. Delivery in 11 hours? What were they doing, hand-testing it during coffee breaks? But hey, at least it's here now.
Enjoy your new setup, Mike. Let me know if you ever need charger-related wisdom or just a friendly chat about tech!