Computers & Tablets

[TedG]

I recently got a new laptop but none of the charger tips fit. I called Insignia to inquire about a tip that will fit. I have a new Lenovo ThinkPad E590 (20NB-005MUS) which is not listed in their tip configuator. The specs say the charging port is USB-C. I'm not familiar with any USB other than the old rectangular shape with the alignment bar off-centered. The USB-C is an elongated oval with a center alignment bar. The person at Insignia was totally unfamiliar with USB-C so I came away empty handed. If USB-C is going to be the next best thing, when will they have the tip available? Has anyone had any luck with this? Thanks.
https://www.pcmag.com/article/332797/what-is-usb-c-an-explainer

[KyleR-BBY Senior Social Media Specialist]

Hi, TedG,

Thanks for reaching out to us about this. USB-C is an awesome connector that is becoming more and prevalent, but it's something that won't work with a standard laptop charger.

You'll want to return that charger you bough and pick this up instead. That should charge your Lenovo.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,

[TedG]

Thanks Kyle. I don't expect you to take the charger back as it's now over 2 years old. It has been working perfectly well and I was hoping to spare the expence of a new charger as well as saving my old charger from the landfill. What I don't understand is the reason why a USB-C tip will not work with my charger. Is it a technical problem of some sort? Thanks.

[KyleR-BBY Senior Social Media Specialist · Accepted solution]

Hi, TedG,

Because USB-C is a USB standard, a non-USB charger won't work with it. I'm sorry that your old charger won't work with that new PC. The good news is that USB-C charging should work with any USB-C product going forward. 

Sincerely,

[nckhammond]

Erm... true with a few caveats

Not all USB ports and chargers are equal.

Some usb-c ports work for charging, others do not
USB chargers have different power outputs. You need to match what the computer requires for a min. Output.

[TedG]

That's right. I was simply trying to keep a perfectly good 90W charger out of the landfill. The charger that came with my new laptop is 65W so it seems to me that a USB-C tip would have been a fix. It's not clear to me why that's not a viable option other than the company refuses to make one. It there's a technical reason why this wouldn't work, I haven't heard it. The company claims that their 90W charger works for nearly every computer that requires a 90W (or less) charger.