Laptop charging - lighter option?

Unless you need it for work, I would rethink bringing a laptop along. I did and regret it. It just wasn't worth the extra weight. Mine is a Macbook and fairly light but it's still several extra pounds (including the charger) that I didn't need.

Never again.

I agree. Unless you absolutely need it -- like for work -- leave the laptop at home. If you really need/want something with a screen that's bigger than a phone, consider a tablet. IMHO the iPad Mini is the perfect travel device -- just big enough (you can do almost anything with it you might want to do on a laptop) but thin and light.

A1) Amazon lists some lightweight chargers for the Levano; I bet you can find something, but the smaller chargers take longer.
A2) I always bring my MS Surface Go, weighs about 1 lb and the charger can't be more than 4 or 5 oz.
A3) Its been to Europe a dozen times now, convenient to have, and no issues.
A4) And I like having a Windows platform.
A5) Sorry photos, store them, Video conference with the kids (and clients), stream US television to keep up with the news, research for the trip, and yes, some work too.

Katie2303 does the end that goes into the heavy power brick also a USB-C connector? If so, look for a GaN (Galium Nitride) power brick. They are lighter power bricks but can provide the wattage that is needed. I use Anker branded ones for my MacBook Air and iPad Pros.

On a side note you listed "20V" but most power bricks are sold in W (Watts). "20" V" means 20 Volts. You get Watts by multiplying the Voltage (In your case 20) times the Amperage (A). Do you see an amperage listed on your brick, i.e. 2.5 A, 5 A, etc? That will tell you what size power brick to get. Or you could look it up online for your specific Thinkbook model what the charging requirements are (i.e. 60W, 75W, etc)

As alluded to in a few comments, if you figure out the computer's minimum Watts, then look on Amazon for a USB-C charger XXW, and you'll see tons of options. for smaller, more simple devices.

You might want to look at one of the new GaN chargers, like this one from Anker:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C5RG6KV?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

It's much smaller and lighter than the big power bricks, and it works great with my MacBook Pro.

By the way, I always travel with my laptop. Sometimes things come up for work that have to be dealt with, and I also like to catalog my photos each evening. My tablet is 12.9" and weighs as much as my laptop.

In the "before times" I never traveled with my laptop, but as long is there is a negative test requirement to return to the US I will. I can work remotely, and if I'm stuck abroad I'll be glad I have it with me. My HP laptop charger is also heavy; haven't found an alternative to it though.

Katie2303 does the end that goes into the heavy power brick also a USB-C connector? If so, look for a GaN (Galium Nitride) power brick. No unfortunately it does not.

On a side note you listed "20V" but most power bricks are sold in W (Watts). "20" V" means 20 Volts. You get Watts by multiplying the Voltage (In your case 20) times the Amperage (A). Do you see an amperage listed on your brick, i.e. 2.5 A, 5 A, etc? That will tell you what size power brick to get. Or you could look it up online for your specific Thinkbook model what the charging requirements are (i.e. 60W, 75W, etc)

I got that 20V number from the back of my laptop - it says Input 20V=3.25A. Today I looked on the charging brick itself. It says "MAX 65V".

As alluded to in a few comments, if you figure out the computer's minimum Watts, then look on Amazon for a USB-C charger XXW, and you'll see tons of options. for smaller, more simple devices.

I did a search with the numbers above on Amazon...didn't see much that wasn't the same power brick type charger I have now. There were a few with larger plugs from brands I have never heard of...not sure about using that abroad. I'm thinking I might need to decide how much I want to take it with.

Thanks everyone for the helpful info!

I would contact Lenovo directly to inquire about lighter or travel options. I’ve used their laptops for almost 20 years. I agree that the charger can be burdensome for travel.

Update: Their website offers slim tip adapters which are smaller. Depending on your laptop specifications something lighter may be available.

Katie, I don't vouch for anything, but this looks promising:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C5RG6KV?maas=maas_adg_api_8014460300101_macro_1_26&ref_=aa_maas&aa_campaignid=anker_2667_amz_us_search_B09C5RG6KV&aa_adgroupid=16645980185_138378205801_593698995310&aa_creativeid=ad-kwd-310881185676_dev-c_ext-&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyYKUBhDJARIsAMj9lkEtUOTqXQFSouDHyolyOAmFdXWs3oJjplLpLKL8F_IzT1ge4R_uTccaAmEeEALw_wcB

You're doing yourself a disservice by posting only fragmentary information from device nameplates. We really need to see every word and number, from the first to the last, in the molded or printed specifications on the brick and on the power input plug on the laptop. Otherwise it's a stab in the dark. And we need to know that you put the nameplate in a good source of light when you transcribed it.

I'll also point out that some USB cables and plugs are not designed for 5 (or 3.25) amperes of current, especially above the nominal general USB voltage. You really need to be sure that you use only a USB-C cord assembly designed for charging this type of device (i.e. higher voltage and higher current than the built-in USB plugs beside your hotel bed or on a long-distance bus!)

@katie2303, what Tim said above about the actual cord.

Another option I found on Amazon is this: https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Anker-Adapter-Foldable-Compact/dp/B08T5QN2TR/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=65w+gallium+nitride+charger&qid=1652653538&sprefix=65w+gal%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-4

It's small, 65W, and GaN. It is Anker, which has become a trusted brand.

Thanks for the suggestions all. I can certainly post more info about what is on the brick - I wish there was a way to easily post a photo here. I'll see what I can do. Though at this point I'm guessing that if I want my laptop I'll have to suck it up and take the original charger.

Unfortunately I'm not sure how those Anker products could work. The cord that plugs into my computer is USB-C. The other end appears permanently attached to the power brick. It's not USB-C. Not sure if I'm making any sense. This is similar: https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Lenovo-ThinkPad-Adapter-ADLX65YDC2A/dp/B07CGP4SB2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1HA5HQIOJF976&keywords=lenovo+65w+laptop+charger+usb&qid=1652661816&sprefix=lenovo+65w+laptop+charger+usbc%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-5

katie2303- Anker is actually my preferred brand of charger. Traveling, I use this for my ipad and my phone at the same time. It would work the same swapping computer in for iPad. You’d need usb-c to usb-c cables to plug your computer into it. (It’s simple. It works. Really. No need to overthink it.)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C5RG6KV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MQFMHB584S4EEG74GB6W

See if your laptop is listed here https://www.zmi.com/products/zmi-zpower-turbo-65w-usb-c-pd-wall-charger

Scudder thank you for explaining that!

James it is not on that list - it's a Lenovo ThinkBook.

katie2303 - Glad that helped. I travel with it as my only charger—it's bigger than the little phone chargers, but smaller carrying an assortment. Plugging your phone into it would depend on the phone type.