why do computer charges have that big block

Question

for example, on my windows laptop, there is the plug that goes into the outlet, some wire, a big block of plastic, and then more wire that connects to the charger that goes into the charging port. why is that block there?

In: Technology

Answer 1

That block _is_ the charger. It converts the 120v or 230v AC to something the laptop can use, like 12v DC. Many appliances have these built in, but a laptop needs to be thin and light, so it’s kept external.

Your phone charger is the same thing, for the same reason. The laptop charger is just a bigger version of it.