USB-C power guide

USB-C dock input power is not always the power your laptop receives

When a dock sits in the middle, the useful number is the dock's stated host-output or passthrough limit.

100W into the dock, 85W to host?

Enter 85W as the dock ceiling.

Check an 85W dock →

Use the host-output specification

A dock can reserve power for its electronics and attached peripherals. Use the maker's “power to host”, “host charging” or PD-output figure.

The dock is another ceiling

A 140W charger and 240W cable cannot overcome an 85W dock-to-host limit.

If the dock spec is unclear

Do not infer host output from input power. Check the dock manual or test the charger directly without the dock.