Is this AC Adapter ok for an HP EliteBook 8540w I just picked up?

MeAndMyComputer · 09 Jul 2018

Is this AC Adapter ok for an HP EliteBook 8540w I just picked up?
--- Are there better choices I can look into?

Is this AC Adapter ok for an HP EliteBook 8540w I just picked up?-ac-adapter.jpg

I’m using the 19Vdc 4.74A as a guide based on the battery compartment information which I suppose is really for the battery if there was one in it.

According the HP manual the AC Adapter P/N is 693712-001 & replaces whatever the original PN is but the manufacturer’s PN isn’t included in the charger buy’s company information.

In the additional info section, it states
“Attention! Please make sure the part will match your laptop. If there is no central smart-pin in the connector of your original AC Adapter, please stop bidding this item.” I don’t know how to determine that because I don’t have the original AC Adapter. In the connection port of the laptop I do see a gray central receptive section that an HP AC Adaptor cord I’m using accepts the center pin, but I don’t know if that is a central smart-pin. If it is it appears to me I shouldn’t have a problem ordering this unit.

Berton · 09 Jul 2018

You do need either the battery or the AC Adapter to charge the battery or run the computer. The wattage of the adapter is not critical as long as it is the same or more than originally supplied. The truly critical part is the plug that fits the socket in the Notebook case [or in an All-in-One Desktop].

If I were near a Wal*Mart I'd check their stock, usually have replacement adapters that fit several different Notebooks. Same for Targus.
A Search for the adapter using the number you supplied:
693712-001 at DuckDuckGo
The center pin in the plugs assist in identifying to the BIOS that the adapter is correct. Some adapters without that pin may work but not entirely correctly. I see Notebooks that both have that pin and don't have that pin, also some that have 2-wire cables wall-socket to adapter and 3-wire cables, most of mine are the 3-wire type.

If there are qualms about the site offering a product it usually is good to pass it up.

MeAndMyComputer · 10 Jul 2018

Berton said:

A Search for the adapter using the number you supplied:
693712-001 at DuckDuckGo
--- Thank you, I was able to find only a couple of hits for the PN and I wanted more flexibility.

I was finally able to find what a smart pin connection on a laptop should look like

Is this AC Adapter ok for an HP EliteBook 8540w I just picked up?-smart-pin-connection.jpg

Mine doesn't look like that so I'll find an AC Adapter that isn't designed for smart pin connection.