Since the Lenovo docking station option for the P50 feels pretty pricey, I've been considering USB-C options, if I'm going to spend that amount of money.  While I know that most USB-C docks only feed back 65w of power when they're powered docks, which isn't enough for the P50 (or P70), does anyone have any thoughts on having the laptop supplied with power from both sources?

I know that the P50 won't draw more power than it requires, but does anyone know if it's smart enough to draw power from two sources at once, allowing you to use a smaller AC Adapter, plus the input from the 65w USB-C?

I ask, because it seems like a more cost-effective method of adding a USB-C and a 65w or 90w AC Adapter to a desk where you're leaving your docking station.

Thanks for the input!

Even if was enough, I suspect a laptop needs to be designed to be powered from USB-C, and P50/P70 probably aren't.

So if you're to plug a power adapter, and that adapter lives behind the desk, and you need to buy a 65w or 90w anyway, why not to get a 135W or 170W instead (they are like $10-20 US more expensive than 65W)?

Actually, the pricing for the higher wattage adapters gets steep quicker.

The P50 requires a 170w adapter, that's ~$120, while the 90w adapter comes it ~$60 and the 45w comes in at ~$46.  The correct docking station for the P50 that comes with a 230w adapter is $300.  A generic, USB-C docking station that provides 60w of power is about $180.

That said, the USB-C dock at $180 and the 90w AC Adapager at $60 would bring you in at $240.  But, my chances of getting the USB-C docks on sale, or we start getting more USB-C docks will drive those prices down, while the audience for the (preferred) Lenovo dock only has the one audience, which isn't likely to help drive down, though may go on sale to around $250.

USB-C standards require bi-directional power, so if Lenovo is following the USB-C standards, their ports should be able to take 60w inbound as well.  But, that doesn't answer the question about drawing power from two sources.

170W Lenovo-branded adapter with slim tip is ~$50 US (70 CAD) in a random Canadian online store. 65W is a few dollars cheaper but not by much.

I don't believe you can use USB-C to power P50 either directly or indirectly. It's enough fun to get the other functions of these Thunderbolt docks to work :)

170w Lenovo branded AC Adapter for ~$50?  That is a deal!  I'd sign up for that. :-)