Is a AC Adapter and Charger the same thing?

Question

I was looking for a Nintendo DS Lite Charger and I went on target.com, walmart.com, and gamestop.com and they all have AC Adapters but not chargers.. is an AC Adapter a charger?

Answer 1

They are often the same thing.

An AC adapter is nearly always also a charger, at least for devices that have internal batteries. The term implies that you can use your device on AC with this adaptor. You will probably find that the battery doesn't charge very fast when you're using the device on the adapter, and will charge faster when you aren't playing.

A battery charger will charge your battery, but doesn't imply that it will also let you run the device on AC at the same time. This is certainly true of stand-alone chargers, and while it's atypical in consumer electronics, it is possible to sell a "trickle-charger", that will charge your device overnight but doesn't supply enough juice to actually run the device.  

Answer 2

Yes, they are the same thing.......

Answer 3

Basically they are the same.  Sometimes they are called Wall Transformers.  Just be sure that you get one that has the output capability to match the input specifications of the device you are going to power up.  They come in all levels of voltage and current outputs.