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this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2026
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Hadn't heard about those, but a quick search shows those aren't standard barrel connectors, although they look similar. The Dell connectors have a third pin for data. Normal barrel connectors only have two pins.
For the OP, that means that if your laptop is a Dell from the period where they were doing this, you need a specialized cable and charger intended specifically for Dells.
Given the context that we were talking about laptop chargers rather than generic power bricks, I think it’s fair to consider standard laptop power supplies. (HP has the same connectors even though their protocol is different, and I’m not familiar with other brands but I expect they are much the same).
Now you got me curious, so I got up and checked:
2008 HP laptop: Appears to be a standard barrel with no center pin. (Also has yellow trim and is in-line with the cord.)
Circa 2013 HP laptop: Has the connector with the center pin. (Larger than the barrel on the 2008 model, and at right angles to the cord)
So it's era-dependent (and I used that 2008 model too long). TIL.
That sounds right.
I’m also mostly familiar with the business lines: Dell Latitude and slightly less with HP ProBook.