Why bulky laptop chargers are a relic of the past

The charger revolution

For years, every laptop shipped with a large, unwieldy charging brick, but technology has changed that. Modern chargers are much smaller and lighter thanks to Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors replacing traditional silicon components.

Advantages of GaN technology

GaN semiconductors are more efficient than silicon, allowing manufacturers to build much more compact transformers and components. As a result, chargers have shrunk by 40–50% while still delivering 40 to 150 watts of power. This means even powerful workstations and gaming laptops now use GaN chargers. They generate less heat, enabling fast-charging technologies, and achieve up to 99% efficiency compared to 85% for silicon chargers.

Prevalence and availability

While exact numbers on GaN charger adoption are unavailable, it's increasingly hard to find powerful laptops still using silicon technology. For example, modern MacBook Pro USB-C chargers use GaN, and Lenovo, Dell, and others use it in higher-end models. Budget laptops like the MacBook Air or Neo may still come with silicon-based chargers, but they can be replaced with third-party GaN chargers from companies like Anker.

Potential downsides

One downside is that not all devices need GaN—the MacBook Neo, for instance, does not support fast charging, so a GaN charger would only provide a modest speed boost. GaN chargers also tend to be more expensive than silicon ones, though the price gap is shrinking.

Other benefits

Compact GaN chargers can fit behind furniture, and many have multiple USB ports for charging several devices at once. Their higher efficiency also makes them slightly more eco-friendly.