The Three-Laptop Problem
My desk was a mess of chargers. Dell XPS for work (130W barrel plug), MacBook Pro for video editing (96W USB-C), and an older ThinkPad for testing (65W USB-C). Three different chargers, three different cables, constant frustration.
When USB-C Power Delivery matured enough to handle laptop-level wattages, I decided to try consolidating. I bought a 100W GaN USB-C charger for $55 and prepared for disappointment. Five months later, I'm still using it daily.
What Actually Works
The MacBook Pro works flawlessly. Apple's USB-C implementation is clean, and the laptop happily accepts power from any USB-C PD source. At 100W, I get full charging speed even under heavy load.
The ThinkPad was equally straightforward. It only needs 65W, so the 100W charger has headroom to spare. Charges as fast as the original adapter.
The Dell Complication
Here's where it gets interesting. My Dell XPS officially requires 130W through its proprietary barrel connector. But Dell added USB-C charging as a secondary option - it just caps at 100W.
In practice, this means: normal use (writing, browsing, light coding) works fine on USB-C. The laptop stays charged or charges slowly. Heavy use (compiling large projects, video calls with external monitors) drains the battery slowly even while plugged in.
For most of my work, this is acceptable. I keep the original 130W charger for the rare times I need maximum power, but day-to-day, the universal charger handles it.
Heat and Longevity
GaN chargers run warmer than traditional chargers - that's the physics of cramming more power into a smaller space. After five months of heavy use, the charger still works perfectly. No degradation in output, no burnt-plastic smell, no concerning noises.
I do give it breathing room. It sits on a hard surface, not buried under papers. Common sense stuff, but worth mentioning.
The Verdict
A good USB-C PD charger can replace multiple laptop chargers for most people. The key is matching wattage to your highest-demand device and accepting that proprietary charging (like Dell's 130W) might not be fully replicated.
The convenience of traveling with one charger for everything - phone, tablet, and laptop - is genuinely life-changing. I packed for a week-long trip with a single charger and two cables. That alone justified the investment.