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MagyarRAVPOWER 120W 4-Port Desktop USB Charging Station Hands-on and Review
The new RAVPOWER 120W 4-Port Desktop USB Charging Station is an upgrade on its 65W counterpart. However, unlike that accessory, it is rated for up to 100W of USB Power Delivery through either of its type-C ports. Therefore, it could act as a power brick replacement for a growing number of ultrabooks, with the potential advantage of extra ports for up to 3 additional devices.
Unboxing and First Impressions
On first glance, the 120W 4-port desktop charger (or RP-PC146) is very similar to its 65W sibling in looks and design, if perhaps a bit sleeker and higher-end. It has the same 2x2 port configuration and green LED indicator light above them, on both the top and bottom of its brick-like main body.
This part of the device is smaller and shorter than the power brick for my Razer Blade Stealth, although it might be closer in size to those of some newer laptops. It, like the 65W variant, plugs in via a 2-pin port for a 100-240V, 50/60Hz, 2.5A DC cord. On that note, I found that the charger wouldn't work with the cord provided in the box; it was just as well I had another one. Hopefully, this isn't a risk of this happening with normal retail units.
Charging Test
Once it was operational, I discovered that it would indeed power my Blade Stealth at its top rate without a problem. The laptop would only produce the dreaded "More Power Required" message should something else be plugged into the second USB type-C port, as their maximum rate falls to 60W each when in use simultaneously.
The 120W 4-Port Desktop USB Charging Station also has 2 type-A ports, which are again outfitted with RAVPOWER's iSmart technology to ideally protect about overcharging. Therefore, accessories such as earphones and phones charge at their normal rate, and not more.
When it came to charging recent flagship phones, however, the story changed somewhat. It would only charge my Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ at ~14W, which, while accounted “Fast Charging” within One UI 3.1, is still reduced compared to other rates available to the phone, and resulted in a much longer charging time than with some other accessories. It did this using either its own USB type-C cable or a third-party alternative.
On the other hand, it had no problem maintaining that rate regardless of the number of other devices using the charger at the same time.
However, for all this functionality, the charger has one potential drawback. Its temperatures rise to markedly high levels: about as hot as the Blade Stealth’s own power brick can get, with hot-spots of just over 51⁰C. This becomes apparent when working at its maximum rate for even just an hour of charging, albeit at high load with all 4 ports in use.
It may not be such a huge issue at ambient temperatures of about 20°C, but may become more so in hotter climates or locations at risk of heat-waves.
Conclusion
The RAVPOWER 120W 4-Port Desktop USB Charging Station does seem to achieve its goal of consolidating the needs of high-wattage devices with those of up to 3 others in a single package. Its compact nature means I might well bring it on a trip of, say, the inter-city variety (presuming there would be power outlets and that such a prospect will be a thing again soon) instead of a power bank.
On the other hand, its potential for heat is an issue, meaning it should really have access to ventilation after use. In addition, I can only hope it will stay functional in the long run. For those who would like to find out with me, the new desktop charger currently goes for US$99.99 on ravpower.com.
Disclaimer: The author of this review received the 120W desktop charger from RAVPOWER free of charge for the purpose of testing.
