Walter Shillington Many of these gadgets came equipped with a charger, but I have very few free AC outlets. To alleviate this problem, I picked up a desktop charger that can handle the requirements of up to six of these power-hungry devices at one time.
Overview
While a desktop charger can be a helpful tool, it is essential to ensure it is fully compatible with the devices you presently own. Any charger can competently handle the requirements of an electric toothbrush, but some will experience difficulties recharging a MacBook Pro. And power requirements are not the only issue. Many devices utilize protocols such as Power Delivery or Qualcomm Quick Charge. If your desktop charger does not support these protocols, your devices will charge painfully slowly. The cables used to connect your devices to the charger may also present a problem. If these cables cannot handle the power demanded by the recharging device, they should be replaced.
Description
The Ugreen desktop charger weighs in at just over 18 ounces. It is composed of black-colored metal with a dark gray top. Four rubber feet prevent the device from sliding, and its AC power cable plugs into the input at the rear. Four USB-C and two USB-A outputs are accessible from the front of the device. This 200W charger incorporates GaN II technology, supports several methods of fast charging, and utilizes intelligent power allocation to ensure power is distributed efficiently to the devices being charged.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Ugreen Name: GaN 200W Desktop Charger Model: CD271 Weight: 513 grams (18.1 ounce) Dimensions: 3.4 x 10 x 10 centimeters (1.3 x 4 x 4 inches) Input power: 100-240VAC 2.5A 50-60Hz Output power: 200 watts (max) Outputs: 4 USB-C plus 2 USB-A Intelligent power allocation: Yes Technology: GaN USB-A port compatibility: QC3/SCP/AFC/BC1.2 supported (most devices) USB-C port compatibility: PD/QC/FCP/AFC/BC1.2 enabled laptops, tablets, and phones
GaN Technology
Gallium nitride is a semiconductor material that rose to eminence in the 1990s. This crystal-like material boasts a broader bandgap than its silicon rival, allowing energy to pass through more efficiently. This results in higher power limits and lower operating temperatures. Walter Shillington Walter Shillington Walter Shillington
Fast Charging Protocol Compatibility
Power Delivery
The Power Delivery (PD) specification denotes higher power capabilities, allowing USB-C PD-enabled devices to charge quickly over a USB connection. The two coupled devices negotiate a power contract, determining how much power will be pulled from the charger.
QC3/4
Quick Charge is a battery charging protocol developed by Qualcomm which is used to manage USB-delivered power. Like with the Power Delivery protocol, the device negotiates with the power supply to determine the voltage provided.
FCP/SCP
Huawei developed these Fast Charge protocols.
Adaptive Fast Charging
The AFC protocol utilizes a system that begins charging at a high rate, allowing devices to be charged quickly to about 50 percent. Then the charging rate drops significantly to prevent overheating.
BC1.2
The Battery Charging 1.2 protocol is a USB3 extension that extends the charging limit from 0.9A to 1.5A.
Accessories
A good quality USB-C to USB-C cable was supplied with the charger. My package also included a second USB-C to USB-C cable and one USB-C to Lightning which is intended for use with Apple products. Walter Shillington
Compatibility
Notebooks and Tablets
Compatible with most of these devices, including MacBook Air/MacBook Pro, Dell XPS 13 9360/9380, Dell XPS 15 9560, ThinkPad E490, ThinkPad X390, HP Spectre Folio, Google Pixelbook, Microsoft Surface Book 2, iPad 2018 (and later). Walter Shillington
Phones and Accessories
Compatible with iPhone 13 / 13 Mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max / 12 / 12 mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max / iPhone 11 series / iPhone 8 and later. Compatible with Galaxy S22 Ultra / S22 / S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra / Galaxy S10 / S10+ / S10e / S9 / S9+ / S8 / S8+, Note 20 / 20 Ultra / 10 / 9 / 8, and more. Compatible with Google Pixel 6 / 6 Pro /5 / Pixel 3a / XL / 3 / 2XL / 2, and more. Compatible with Sony XZ3, Sony Xperia 1, Nintendo Switch, Apple Watch, Air Pods, power bank, and more.
Charging Multiple Devices
The first two USB-C ports can output up to 100W each. The next pair of USB-C ports can handle up to 65W each. The USB-A ports will output each output up to 22.5W. Walter Shillington The Ugreen CD271’s maximum power output is 200 watts. Because of this, the power available at each port drops as additional devices are plugged into the unit. If, for example, two MacBook Pro laptops were plugged into the first pair of USB-C ports, they would each draw about 96 watts of power and be charged entirely within 90 minutes. This available power, however, would be reduced if a mobile phone was connected to the third USB-C port. In this case, the available power output of all three ports would be reduced to 65 watts. As other devices are added, the max output at each port will be further reduced.
Overall Impression
While the Ugreen is an outwardly simple device, it is incredibly sophisticated and flexible. The charger’s maximum output of 200 watts and ability to intelligently allocate power ensures six devices can be efficiently charged simultaneously. This charger can handle the demands of devices that benefit from protocols such as Power Delivery and Qualcomm Quick Charge. This allows the CD271 to charge these laptops and smartphones faster than many competing chargers. The Ugreen GaN 200W Desktop Charger is recommended. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2022 Walter Shillington
