Can the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus (130W) be charged via the Thunderbolt port (up to 100W)?

If the system has an Intel GPU, it may be possible to charge and run the system over Thunderbolt.  If it has an nVidia GPU, no - the system will not run on Thunderbolt; you need the original AC adapter.

Thanks for your reply. Hmm... Since asking the question, I subsequently saw a Notebookcheck.net review. The system reviewed had an nVidia GPU (the RTX3050), and the reviewer said, "Users can also charge with third-party USB-C adapters, but the charging rate will slow significantly when compared to the proprietary 130 W barrel charger that comes with the laptop," There was no mention of the GPU preventing charging by Thunderbolt (maybe the reviewer didn't actually try?).

What is the technical reason for the nVidia GPU preventing USB charging? I would be grateful to be educated on this.

Actually, regarding the reviewer's note on a slower charging speed, there are now GaN AC chargers that can be paired with the right cable to deliver 100W fast charging via USB-C, so the wattage would be almost up to the 130W of the original AC adapter. Anyway, I don't know if the GPU is still an issue for this.

Charging is independent of the GPU -- but you also mentioned running the system from a Thunderbolt connected AC adapter -- that will work only with the integrated GPU.  The nVidia GPU consumes too much power -- for that you will need the original power adapter.

Ok. I'm confused. The Inspiron 16 Plus ( https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-16-plus-laptop/spd/inspiron-16-7610-laptop/hni761004au?view=configurations#tech-specs-anchor ) comes with an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060, 6 GB GDDR6, 60 W  (I think maybe Dell has limited it to 60W, because that's what they specified on the web page). By "integrated CPU" did you mean something like the IrisXe or something like that? I supposed this nVidia is an indepedent GPU, but it says "60W", so  maybe the laptop as a whole (including the nVidia GPU) will charge with a USB-C (65W or 100W) adaptor? (I'm wondering if when travelling I can leave behind the AC brick, which is 130W). Charging will be slower, but at least it will still charge? After all, it won't draw 130W all the time, if not doing power-intensive computing?

Just to add: I spoke to someone from Dell (an extremely rude sales person who claimed to have superior technical knowledge, but i doubt it...technical support wouldn't take my call without a service tag number (which I don't have because I haven't bought it!!). Anyway this guy said that using a 65W charger on this laptop will work BUT it will affect the life of the battery (because it's designed to be charged at 130W), but a 100W charger should be fine.

I don't quite understand this. I thought 65W just means it will take longer to charge the battery, but why would it affect the life of the battery or spoil it in any way? Also 100W is still lower than 130W, so I don't know why that would be fine.

I have a Dell Inspiron 16 7610 (personal) with a NVIDIA 3060 and a Dell Precision 5560 (work) that has a Dell 130W USB-C power supply. I have used that charger to charge my personal Inspiron laptop without any issue. I'm not sure if it is keeping up while gaming which kind of implies that that isn't a problem. I do not work for Dell or have any special credentials beyond general knowledge gained working in IT for 20+ years.

Good luck!

Walt L

Thanks. Your USB-C power supply is 130W, so that's why it'll work, I guess. If I have only a GaN charger that goes up to a max of 100W (not quite enough), Thorium (who replied above) says that it'll power the laptop battery, but not actually run the separate GPU. That confuses me, because I thought that as long as the battery has power, the GPU can draw power from that battery, so regardless of whether the charger is charging at 60W or 100W or 130W, if the battery has stored power, the nVidia GPU should be able to draw power from the battery (until it runs out).

Of course, if the GPU is drawing power faster than the battery can be charged, the battery will eventually run out, but up until that point, isn't the GPU still functioning the same way as on mains electricity?

Anyway, thanks for the answers. My takeaway: if I'm not playing GPU-intensive games or draining too much power, even a 60W USB-C charger can replenish the laptop battery (though more slowly), but maybe there will be some long-term damage to the battery (which is what that Dell guy said). Or maybe that Dell guy (who wasn't actually a technician) was talking nonsense. I don't mind a lower-wattage charger taking longer (no problem!)--I'm just worried if it will actually cause any damage to the battery over the short or long term.