Laptops that charge with usb c
|
The USB-C port is versatile. You can use it to charge your device and transfer data at high speeds. You can also use it to connect external displays. The craze started with the mobile phone industry and has hit the laptop markets. Show
The latest USB-C specifications offer up to 240W of power. That is a lot, considering that most of the newest top specs laptops need 100W. With the emphasis on developing power-efficient components, you can assume it will be a while before laptops require 240W. Although 240W is the theoretical max, the 100W limit is used in current-gen products. The most significant advantage of USB-C charging is that laptops charge faster than conventional chargers. Some laptops boast a 0% to 50% charge in under an hour. And others take that to 80% in under an hour. This is ideal when you are constantly on the move. A quick charge for 20-25 minutes, and you are ready to deliver your presentation. Another advantage is that you can carry one charger for most of your devices. Remember how you would seek colleagues with the same laptop so that you could borrow their charger? The acceptance of USB-C by laptop manufacturers has made that a thing of the past. Also, you can use that USB-C port for other things other than charging, such as using a USB-C capable monitor that charges your device and receives a video signal simultaneously. Thus, using only one cable instead of two. Unfortunately, laptops that offer USB-C charging are on the pricier side, at least initially. Of course, when manufacturers launch new models, the older ones rid themselves of the novelty. This article brings you some of the best budget laptops with USB-C charging. We will review the pros and cons of each and suggest the best use cases for each. Finally, we will close by discussing the key consideration of buying such laptops and answer some frequently asked questions. Comparison of the Best Budget Laptops with USB-C Charging
1. Lenovo ThinkPad E15 – Laptop with TrackPoint
Laptops with TrackPoint have a cult following across the world. The E15 comes with USB-C charging and TrackPoint. But most importantly, it offers an excellent set of specifications that caters well to most requirements. The design follows the signature black box style typical of Lenovo laptops. And, you get a backlit keyboard with the bright red TrackPoint smack in the center and a numeric keypad. The E15 sports a 15.6” FullHD IPS display with 250 nits and an anti-glare screen. This includes a 1920x1080p resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Intel UDH graphics to handle visuals. Thus, you get to indulge in your favorite web series in high-definition while on your lunch break. The specification includes the 10th generation Intel Core i5-10210U Quad-core Processor (up to 4.2GHz, 4-core 8-thread, and 6MB L3 Cache). . You also get 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD storage. Understandably, the storage is on the low side to keep costs down. The E15 also offers a comprehensive set of ports. These include the customary USB-C and USB-A. Additionally, the inclusion of an RJ-45 makes the ThinkPad among the very few to do so. Our TakeThe ThinkPad E15 makes for an excellent laptop for most offices. It offers a 12.2hr. battery life and it’s exhaustive list of expansion ports provide considerable flexibility.
2. Dell Inspiron 15 5510 – Laptop with Fast Charging
The Inspiron 15 comes with superfast charging that most professionals will find helpful. Further, it offers specifications that ensure that productivity is not compromised. Those professionals for whom time is forever at a premium will love this laptop. The design features an aluminum lid that makes the laptop durable and light. Also, the lid features a rounded edge around the hinges. Hence, when you open the lid, the round edges move under the laptop to create that bit of elevation. This design is not for everyone, and it may cause a hint of keyboard flex. The Inspiron 15 comes with the 11th generation i5-11300H processor (up to 4.4GHz, 4-Core 8-Thread, and 8MB L3 Cache). You also get 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512 M.2 NVMe SSD. The display comes with thin bezels that offer a decent screen-to-body ratio of 82.4%. And the 15.6” FullHD display comes with an IPS screen that offers a 600:1 contrast ratio and 300nits brightness. Interestingly, the Inspiron 15 comes with adaptive thermals. It senses the surface on which the laptop is placed and adapts the heat management accordingly. This ensures efficient heat management and power distribution within the laptop. Finally, the expansion ports include one USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 and two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports. You also get an HDMI (v.1.4), a card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Our TakeThe Dell Inspiron 15 5510 is an excellent choice when you have limited time to charge your laptop. It is durable thanks to the use of aluminum; thus, it is suitable for people who are constantly on the move.
3. HP Pavilion Aero 13 – Laptop with 16:10 aspect ratio
The Aero 13 offers you additional vertical screen space. The 16:10 ensures you get more. Sure, it is suitable when you want to read long articles that require you to scroll down. But it is equally handy when you want to watch your favorite web series in high-definition. HP offers you a 13-inch FullHD display with 1920x1200p resolution. Thus, you get the 16:10 aspect ratio with an IPS anti-glare panel that offers 400nits and 100% sRGB color gamut. As a result, you get a versatile display screen with multiple applications. The specifications include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U (up to 4.2GHz, 6-core, 16MB L3 Cache). The integrated AMD Radeon graphic module handles the graphics. It also features 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD. As with the HP Pavilion line of laptops, you get audio from Bang and Olufsen. This, along with HP Audio Boost, gives you an audio experience you will not forget easily. You get a decent set of expansion ports with USB-C 3.2 Gen2X2 and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2. You also get an HDMI 2.0 and a 3.2mm combo audio jack. Surprisingly, HP does not offer an SD card reader with the Aero 13. Our TakeThe Aero 13 is suitable for users who mix a little pleasure with work. The 16:10 aspect ratio offers the best middle ground as far as aspect ratios are concerned. You get a larger vertical screen that you can use for reading and watching videos.
4. ASUS ZenBook 13 – Laptop with OLED screen
The Asus ZenBook 13 comes with a 13.3-inch FullHD OLED display. And the screen offers a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and comes with an 88% screen-to-body ratio. Further, the screen is PANTONE validated and comes with TUV Rheinland certification. Thus, you get a 70% reduction in harmful blue light emissions and a stunning visual display. The specifications include the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (up to 4.3GHz, 8-core 16-thread, and 8MB L3 Cache). The graphics are left to the integrated AMD Radeon graphics module. And you also get 8GB DDR4 RAM but only a 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD. The ZenBook 13 is a rugged laptop that can take more than its share of rough handling. It conforms to US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standards. This means that the laptop is at home, whether in a controlled environment indoors or the harsh outdoors. Asus offers you a mixed bag of ports. While most manufacturers offer only one USB-C port, Asus offers you two USB-C 3.2 Gen2 ports. But before you get your hopes up, there is no 3.5mm audio jack. Instead, Asus packs in a USB-C-to-3.5mm audio adapter. The list also includes a USB-A 3.2 Gen1 port, one HDMI (v2.1), and one SD card reader. Our TakeOLED laptops are hard to find on the market as only a few manufacturers offer this technology. To find one that offers USB-C charging and comes at a reasonable price is, imagining the impossible. This makes the Asus ZenBook 13 an attractive prospect.
5. Lenovo Flex 5 – Budget Laptop with 16GB DDR4 RAM
The Lenovo Flex 5 offers you a convertible laptop with USB-C charging. This includes a 14-inch FullHD IPS glossy touch-screen with 250nits. The integrated AMD Radeon module handles the graphics of the laptop. The Flex 5 comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor (up to 4.0GHz, 6-core 12-Thread, and 8MB L3 Cache). But the impressive bit is that it comes with a 16GB DDR4 RAM. This is great when you consider the price and the 2-in-1 form factor of the laptop. The storage on offer is a bit disappointing. You only get a 256GB SSD. The 2-in-1 form factor provides you with greater flexibility. After a long working day, charge your laptop for 15 minutes, and watch Netflix, thanks to Lenovo’s Rapid Charge. The Flex 5 comes with one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports. You also get a 4-in-1 card reader, one HDMI v1.4 port, and one 3.5mm audio jack. Our TakeThe 2-in-1 form factor gives you a versatile laptop that offers productivity and pleasure. Use the laptop’s considerable processing power for work. And flip it into tablet mode and enjoy reading or watching your favorite movie.
6. Acer Swift 3 – Lightweight Laptop
The Acer Swift 3 is among the thinnest and lightest laptop you can find in this category. It weighs just 2.65lbs and measures a little over half an inch in thickness at 0.63-inches. Thus, it will not occupy too much space in your bag, and it is light so that you can carry it around easily. The Swift 3 follows a conventional laptop design. It comes with a backlit keyboard, so you will not find it difficult to type in low-light conditions. You also get a fingerprint reader to secure your sensitive data and maintain your privacy. The specification of the Swift 3 includes the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Hexa-core processor (up to 4.0GHz, 6-Core, and 12-Thread). There is 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD. Undoubtedly, the laptop could have done with plenty more storage. Nonetheless, the budget pricing more than makes up for this. You get a 14” FullHD display with an IPS panel that finds support from the AMD Radeon graphics module. The screen has a 0.21” bezel that gives you an 82.7% screen-to-body ratio. Finally, the expansion ports include one USB-C 3.2 Gen2, one USB-A 3.2 Gen1, and one USB 2.0 port. You also get one HDMI and one 3.5mm audio jack. Sadly, there is no memory card reader. Hence, you will have to invest in one to be able to transfer your camera photos. Our TakeAsus offers this under its Thin-and-Light series of laptops. The Swift 3 is difficult to beat on two parameters, compactness and weight. Thus, making it the perfect laptop to travel with.
7. Dell Latitude 3520 – Laptop with most expansion port
For a budget laptop, the Latitude 3520 is like a Swiss Army knife of ports. The selection offers the right mix of features and flexibility. For starters, the USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 port offers USB-C charging and DisplayPort Alt Mode. Next, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 and one USB 2.0 provide compatibility with legacy USB devices. You also get one uSIM card slot for WWAN access and an RJ-45 to connect to the office LAN. Additionally, the Latitude 3520 comes with one card reader, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an HDMI v1.4 port. The list is exhaustive and focuses on delivering unmatched utility. The specifications include the 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor (up to 4.2GHz, 4-core 8-thread, and 8MB L3 Cache). Dell pairs this with an 8GB DDR4 RAM and a modest 256GB SSD. The 3520 features a 15.6” FullHD IPS display and comes with 250nits brightness. It also features a dedicated numeric keypad that number crunchers would love. And the touchpad is 10% larger to make it easy to navigate. Our TakeBuy the Latitude 3250 if staying connected to the internet is crucial to your work. The 3520 keeps you connected with its WLAN and Wi-Fi 6 features, whether at your workstation or on the move. Additionally, the RJ-45 port ensures you stay connected to the high-speed LAN network.
8. HP ENVY x360 – 2-in-1 Laptop
The ENVY x360’s 2-in-1 form factor has a 15.6″ FullHD IPS edge-to-edge glass display with 250nits brightness. And HP uses AMD Radeon Graphics to handle the visuals of the laptop. The specifications include an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor (up to 4.0GHz, 6-core 12-thread, and 3MB L3 Cache). You also get 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD storage. The laptop uses an aluminum casing and comes with an elegant sandblasted anodized finish. You get a full-size backlit keyboard that includes a numeric keypad. HP also includes audio by Bang and Olufsen and three speakers facing upward placed on the keyboard. The expansion ports on offer are typical of most 2-in-1 laptops. You get one USB-C 3.2 Gen2 and two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports. Further, there is one HDMI 2.0 port, one SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Our TakeThe HP ENVY x360 is similar to the Lenovo Flex 5 in almost all parameters. The only significant difference is that HP offers 8GB RAM and Lenovo offers 16GB RAM. So, if high-performance is what you are after, you may be better off with the Flex 5. However, if you desire a better entertainment experience, the x360 is best.
Best Budget Laptops with USB-C Charging – Our Buying GuideHere are some vital considerations to make when buying a Laptop with USB-C Charging. SpecificationsThe laptop’s specification includes the processor, the RAM, the storage, and the GPU. Essentially, these four components determine the performance capabilities of the laptop. AMD and Intel are the two most popular CPU makers in the world. Both these manufacturers offer a variety of processors. Hence, it is critical to choose the right one for your need. Typically, there are three segments that the manufacturers identify. These are:
For this, each manufacturer offers a specific CPU. Hence, you must choose the ideal one based on your usage. USB-C PortJust because a laptop offers a USB-C port does not mean that you can charge the laptop using this port. Look at the list of features on offer to ensure the laptop offers Power Delivery. The USB-C port is just a connector that can use multiple protocols. Therefore, there is a slight chance that you may go wrong with the selection if you look for a USB-C port. Fast Charging/Rapid ChargingThis is an important feature when you need to charge your laptop for a short duration. However, be informed that this feature goes by different names depending on the one given by its manufacturers. A quick look at the spec sheet of the laptop usually clears this up. Typically, a 0% to 80% charge in 60 minutes is a good option. Battery LifeLook for a laptop that will last the entire day on a single charge. This will keep you productive as you will not spend time looking for a charging station. Some laptops offer up to 16-hour battery life. However, anything above 10 hours is good as it will last you throughout the day. Best Budget Laptops with USB-C Charging – Frequently Asked QuestionsHow is USB-C charging better for laptops?Laptop manufacturers are known to make chargers specific to their computers. That means, in most cases, you cannot use an HP charger with a Dell laptop. USB-C charging removes these limitations. It also allows you to charge your other devices like a USB-C smartphone or tablet. The charging USB-C port also works as a regular USB-C port, allowing you to connect monitors, USB-C docks that can charge your laptop while only using one cable. Can I use a power bank to charge my laptop?Yes, you can. However, make sure you have a powerful enough power bank and that your laptop supports USB-C power delivery. Check out our list of USB-C Powerbanks. Can I use my USB-C Laptop to charge my phone?Yes, this is because USB-C allows the power to flow both ways. Hence, when your laptop (with USB-C Power Delivery) detects a lower-powered device like your phone, it will charge via the USB-C port. What is fast charging? Do all laptops support fast charging?Fast charging uses a higher current to help charge your laptop quicker. It is a great feature when you are short on time and need to charge your laptop in a hurry. No, all laptops do not support fast charging. It is advisable to check the specifications before selecting the computer you want to buy. |
