2012-10-15, 16:11
Here's the response from mini-box.com customer service. It looks like the 8A max rating is correct.
The DC barrel style jack supports up to 8A but if you can use a bigger AC/DC adapter if you don't exceed for too long the rated input. Usually, the bigger AC/DC adapters are delivered with a a 4-pin mini DIN connector for higher power. They can also be used with the PicoPSU-120 but with the P4 type connector. For example, see this AC/DC adapter which is delivered with the 4-pin mini DIN to P4 adapter: http://www.mini-box.com/12v-12-5A-AC-DC-Power-Adapter .
Hope this information helps!
So, you probably can get away with a 120W AC adapter with the picoPSU 120 since it's unlikely you'll be above 96W continuously but for the larger 150/160, pairing those with a 12.5A or bigger AC adapter using the 5.5mm * 2.5mm barrel-style jack is not a good idea (i.e. for a discrete GPU while gaming).
Given the review in the JohnnyGuru.com article and the 8A rating, I still think the 120-WI-25 with a 18.5 or 19V AC adapter is the best 120W combination. But, if it's not available, the 12V models will work as long as it's not continuously over 96W.
The DC barrel style jack supports up to 8A but if you can use a bigger AC/DC adapter if you don't exceed for too long the rated input. Usually, the bigger AC/DC adapters are delivered with a a 4-pin mini DIN connector for higher power. They can also be used with the PicoPSU-120 but with the P4 type connector. For example, see this AC/DC adapter which is delivered with the 4-pin mini DIN to P4 adapter: http://www.mini-box.com/12v-12-5A-AC-DC-Power-Adapter .
Hope this information helps!
So, you probably can get away with a 120W AC adapter with the picoPSU 120 since it's unlikely you'll be above 96W continuously but for the larger 150/160, pairing those with a 12.5A or bigger AC adapter using the 5.5mm * 2.5mm barrel-style jack is not a good idea (i.e. for a discrete GPU while gaming).
Given the review in the JohnnyGuru.com article and the 8A rating, I still think the 120-WI-25 with a 18.5 or 19V AC adapter is the best 120W combination. But, if it's not available, the 12V models will work as long as it's not continuously over 96W.